SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Sep 9, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Hurwitz Group Survey Reports 370 Percent Average Annual Return On Investment for Buzzsaw Customers Participating in Its Study

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced results of a survey conducted by Framingham, MA-based analyst and research firm, Hurwitz Group, supports the value of return on investment for Autodesk(R) Buzzsaw(TM), its online project collaboration service for the building industry. Key findings by the Hurwitz Group study reveal that Buzzsaw customers who participated in the survey experienced an annual average return on investment (ROI) of 370 percent. The study also found that time to breakeven -- the date at which Buzzsaw has paid for itself through measurable cost savings -- averaged two to three months after implementing the service. Autodesk Buzzsaw is targeted at the $3.9 trillion global building industry and is used by more than 62,000 owners, developers, architects, engineers and contractors.

"Building teams and organizations evaluating project management services should consider Buzzsaw because of the potential direct return on material costs," said William Peterson, Hurwitz Group director of portals and business intelligence. "In addition to the confirmation of return on investment for Buzzsaw, study participants from all industry segments also realized the benefits in a relatively very short time frame."

In addition to the ROI benefits, the paper details numerous customer benefits, including measurable increases in staff productivity, improvements in project team communication and significant increases in new and repeat business. These findings include:

    Quantifiable ROI Results for Surveyed Customers
    --  Average annual ROI including material and labor savings are
        approximately $95,000
    --  Savings of more than $30,000 on paper, printing, delivery and
        travel
    --  Savings of more than $65,000 on the cost of managing project
        collaboration

Return on Opportunity(TM) (ROO) (ROO is a proprietary methodology created by Hurwitz Group for categorizing and quantifying difficult-to-measure end-user benefits)

    --  97 percent of survey respondents reported Buzzsaw enabled
        faster and clearer communication with partners and suppliers
    --  93 percent indicated Buzzsaw improved quality of work
    --  77 percent reported an increase in team productivity
    Survey Data and Analysis

In order to best understand and accurately report the overall benefits of Autodesk Buzzsaw, Hurwitz Group took both a qualitative and quantitative approach to the survey. A total of 50 customers were interviewed and responses were evaluated accordingly. Responding firms represented all major segments or disciplines in the building industry including owner, developer, architectural, engineering and contracting firms. Individual respondents included project and CAD managers, chief information and technical officers and information technology professionals.

    Autodesk Buzzsaw for Building Management

Powered by proprietary ProjectPoint(TM) technology, Buzzsaw is an online project collaboration service that connects building project team members and helps them communicate by storing and sharing information in one, secure location. This enables owners, developers, architects, and engineers to save time and increase profitability throughout the entire design, construction, and building management process. In an effort to support international companies, a local language version was recently introduced in Japan.

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, Buzzsaw and ProjectPoint 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.

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

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