SAN RAFAEL, Calif. and HONG KONG, Oct 27, 2003 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- In conjunction with introducing new international capabilities to its project collaboration service last week (See press release dated 10/20/03,) Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has deployed and is using the unique capabilities of Autodesk(R) Buzzsaw(R) Web-based project collaboration service to establish a virtual team for planning, design, and construction of the Hong King Science Park Phase II project.

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In designing state-of-the-art buildings for Phase II, scheduled for completion in mid-2006 or 2007, HKSTP has partnered with several consultants including a project manager, architects, and engineers. In order to work together and communicate more effectively, they needed to adopt a seamless project management and collaboration system that could offer project visibility and control. They needed a system where all project team members can instantaneously exchange and share the latest designs and documents, track project progress, and collaborate on drawings, regardless of location and time zone.

"Our mission for this project is to create a highly conducive environment where innovative enterprises and talented consultants can collaborate to build international technology programs in areas such as electronics, biotechnology, precision engineering, and IT/telecommunications. We want to build state-of-the-art infrastructure to accommodate companies of all sizes and stages of development and to promote interaction and innovation technology in Hong Kong," said Mr. S.H. Pau, vice president, projects and facilities division, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation.

"The Buzzsaw service is the ideal project collaboration solution that enables HKSTP to effectively manage the vast infrastructure and building project," said Dr. Jack Gao, Autodesk vice president and regional director for Greater China. "Communication is an essential part for any construction project -- Autodesk Buzzsaw enables precise communication and more efficient project management which helps HKSTP save time and costs for their Phase II construction project."

Buzzsaw service improves project communication at HKSTP

Autodesk Buzzsaw is a secure, Web-based project collaboration and project management service that keeps project teams connected in real time. It allows teams to store, manage, and share project documents from any Internet connection, thus helping to enhance team productivity and reduce costs. It provides an easy way to share, manage, and track drawings, documents, and communications, as well as better visibility into all phases of building lifecycle.

HKSTP selected the Autodesk Buzzsaw service because it needed a project collaboration system that would help to improve project communication with its numerous partners. They were especially concerned with being able to share critical information quickly and in real time, increase accountability of each team member with regard to project content and timely response, minimize costs through shorter project turnaround and approval process, and serve as a risk management tool by facilitating the efficient storage of all project documents, distribution and updating of controlled documents.

During the Phase II of the project, a total of eleven, state-of-the-art laboratory buildings covering a two block will be constructed. With Autodesk Buzzsaw, HKSTP and its partners can simply log on to the Autodesk Buzzsaw project site to exchange and share latest designs and documents, track project progress, and collaborate on drawings in real time, ensuring better team coordination.

HKSTP has implemented Autodesk Buzzsaw Professional, the advanced online project collaboration service, which is designed to enable more effective communication and better management of all project information throughout the entire building lifecycle. It incorporates a number of sophisticated reporting, task assignment and project tracking features for active, real-time project management.

"With Autodesk Buzzsaw, we have eliminated the inefficiencies and miscommunications that can cause lengthy, costly and contentious delays in building the infrastructure projects for Phase II. This project collaboration solution is helping us save time, keeping projects on track and increasing accountability," added Mr. Pau.

Autodesk Buzzsaw Professional supports documents in any format from simple text to information-packed DWF(TM) (Design Web Format(TM)), DWG, DXF(TM), PDF, Microsoft(R) Word, and Excel files. It also simplifies the sending of messages by managing file compression, resulting in faster transmission of large files and optimizing data flow. It uses industry-standard secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption that provides a high-level of confidentiality.

About Hong Kong Science Park Corporation

Hong Kong Science Park, a 22-hectare state-of-the-art infrastructure on the Tolo Harbour waterfront in Pak Shek Kok, New Territories, provides a knowledge-based and campus-like environment where high-technology enterprises and talented people can converge to generate synergistic forces. It is designed to accommodate companies of all sizes and stages of development and to promote interaction and innovation at both local and global level.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com. For information on Autodesk Buzzsaw, see www.autodesk.com/buzzsaw.

NOTE: Autodesk, Buzzsaw, Design Web Format, DWF, and DXF are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Gabrielle Friedly of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-356-0741, or gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Gabrielle Friedly of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-356-0741, or
gabrielle.friedly@autodesk.com
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