SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 23, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

International Construction Teams Working On Beijing Museum and the South Shanghai Railway Station Use Autodesk Buzzsaw To Improve Communication, Shorten Response Times

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design and digital content creation company, today announced that AREP (Amenagement, Recherche, Pole d'Echanges), a Paris-based architecture and engineering firm that specializes in the creation of transport-linked public spaces, is using the Autodesk Buzzsaw project collaboration service to solve complex communication and exchange issues involving its work in China. After taking part in an international call for bids in 2001, AREP was entrusted with the management of several projects in China, including the design of the Beijing Museum and the South Shanghai Railway Station.

On both projects, the firm has had to confront issues involving slow document distribution, poor security and inadequate or obsolete technology. At the outset of the projects, for instance, sending messages and documents from Paris to China via e-mail took up to three days. The cause of the slow transmission times was the poor performance of the Internet service provider being used by the teams on-site in China. In addition, there were no security technologies to maintain document confidentiality. This was a particularly pressing problem because AREP was working with Chinese design firms that were in direct competition with each other. Said Frederic Lamu, AREP's IT Director for China projects: "In the face of real transmission problems and the danger of having confidential information leak out, we realized we had to find an effective project collaboration solution or risk losing the contract."

Autodesk Buzzsaw provides AREP and its Chinese partners with a powerful communications platform that improves collaboration between project team members by centralizing all relevant documents and ensuring that information, plans and designs can be exchanged securely and instantaneously across international borders. Buzzsaw was chosen as the most suitable tool because it could be deployed rapidly and incorporates state-of-the-art Internet technology -- from network security and privacy protection to AutoCAD integration and online editing. Since all Buzzsaw users are assigned a password, access to documents and information can be tightly controlled by granting viewing and editing permission on a need-to-know basis. Moreover, project managers have total visibility into the tasks performed by their team members.

"The communication problems between our teams in China and France seemed nearly insurmountable," said Frederic Lamu of AREP. "But after an in-depth evaluation of possible solutions, Autodesk Buzzsaw emerged as an ideal tool because it let us work around the ISP issue and share plans and designs immediately. The three-day delays were completely eliminated, and even large files can be transferred quickly because Buzzsaw file compression capability optimizes data flow. In the context of working efficiently and securely across international borders, Autodesk Buzzsaw is a real strategic advantage."

"In today's complicated international context, a platform that facilitates the sharing of information is indispensable if building design and construction teams are to meet project objectives within set timelines," said Chris Bradshaw, vice president, Autodesk Building Collaboration Services. "With globalization on the rise companies that are experienced and comfortable with the technologies that enable cross-border work will have a significant edge in the global marketplace."

    About AREP

AREP (Amenagement, Recherche, Pole d'Echanges) is an engineering design office and architectural agency that was founded in 1997 in response to rising demand for transport-linked public spaces. Closely linked to the SNCF (the French Rail Board), AREP has handled many railway design and construction projects in France, and is widely known for its multimodal hubs -- complex public spaces where multiple functions, the movement of people and modes of transport, services, retail outlets, and technical functions are superimposed. Contact: AREP, 163 bis, avenue de Clichy, impasse Chalabre, 75017 Paris, Tel +33 1 56 33 04 64, Fax +33 1 56 33 05 93, contact@arep.fr

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. is the world's leading design software and digital content company. Autodesk offers solutions for professionals in building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering progressive products and services, Autodesk helps customers create, manage, use and maximize the value of their digital data throughout the lifecycle of their projects. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com. For information about the Buzzsaw service, visit the product site at www.autodesk.com/collaborate.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Buzzsaw are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.(c)Copyright 2002

CONTACT:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Gabrielle Friedly, 415/356-0741 (Media)
                  gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com

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