SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Nov 8, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced the next major step in fulfilling its commitment to provide mainstream manufacturers with a complete data management solution. With Autodesk(R) Productstream(TM) 2 software, the company's data management solution now provides customers a path to reuse designs, automate processes, and more efficiently create, manage and share design data across the manufacturing organization. Customers now can receive the benefits of faster, more cost-effective development, production, and delivery of products to market -- benefits traditionally only available to customers of high-end PLM systems.

Built to extend the value driven by Autodesk's design solutions, including Autodesk Inventor(R) Series software, the world's best-selling 3D design software, Autodesk's data management solution allows customers to speed design cycles and maintain control of crucial design data as it moves downstream. Unlike traditional PLM installations that demand extensive customization and process re-engineering, the Autodesk data management solution is completely modular. Manufacturers have the flexibility to add only the components that make sense, incrementally at a pace that is right for each organization and its budget.

"Autodesk's data management solution addresses the needs of small- to medium-sized manufacturers by delivering many of the same benefits traditionally only available in large PLM installations," said Kevin O'Marah, vice president at AMR Research. "With this solution, engineering departments not only can be more efficient, they can help their companies remain competitive."

A Practical Approach to Data Management

This practical approach to data management begins by integrating Autodesk Vault data management tools into all Autodesk manufacturing design software, including Autodesk Inventor Series. Autodesk Vault organizes all design and related data in one centralized location, helping engineering teams manage work-in-process design data and synchronize efforts among product design and engineering team members. Autodesk Vault securely stores all versions of a design and associated data in a single location, so designers can easily find, reference, and reuse the right data in order to accelerate design cycles.

With Autodesk Vault as its foundation, Productstream 2 automates the design release process by managing engineering changes and bills of materials. Members of the extended team, such as manufacturing, purchasing and sales personnel, can access vital design data to review and provide feedback, additional requirements, and supporting data for designs. Autodesk Vault ensures the engineering department maintains control over the original design so that data is not corrupted or overwritten.

Rounding out Autodesk's data management solution, the Autodesk Streamline(R) collaboration service extends the ability to share design information securely with the entire supply chain and customers worldwide. This allows manufacturers to get feedback early enough to make design changes before they become too costly.

"Autodesk is dedicated to providing a data management solution that is practical for mainstream manufacturers to deploy so they can make use of critical design data across the manufacturing organization -- from the engineering workgroup all the way to the supply chain," said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Solutions Division at Autodesk. "The manufacturing process may start with the design, but the real value comes from how our customers use that design data to make smart business decisions downstream - decisions that can mean competitive advantage."

Manufacturers who have taken the first step toward data management anticipate they will benefit from Autodesk's complete solution. "We view the deployment and integration of Autodesk Data Management solutions (Vault and Productstream) as a strategic initiative in our organization," said Rich Arvidson, Chief Engineer, Ultrafab, Inc. "We believe that Productstream will improve our efficiency in managing and maintaining design data within the engineering department, as well as facilitate communication to our entire organization."

Productstream 2 is available in limited release. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com/productstream.

A Comprehensive Portfolio of Manufacturing Solutions

Delivering on its strategy to help customers create, manage, and share their digital design data and solve critical business challenges, Autodesk offers the most comprehensive portfolio of integrated 2D and 3D design and data management solutions available -- helping customers design better quality products, accelerate time to market, and achieve maximum project visibility and collaboration. Unlike other offerings on the market today, these solutions are easy to deploy and use, and help companies easily transition from 2D to 3D design at their own pace. Autodesk's manufacturing solutions include Autodesk Inventor Series, the world's No. 1 selling 3D mechanical design software, Autodesk Inventor(R) Professional, AutoCAD(R) Mechanical and AutoCAD(R) Electrical software. All Manufacturing design applications come with Autodesk(R) Vault data management capabilities built-in and work seamlessly with Autodesk Productstream and the Autodesk Streamline collaboration service. In addition, customers can take advantage of widely available third-party applications purpose-built for Autodesk software.

Autodesk Gives You More

Autodesk Consulting, including integrated consulting and training, helps customers worldwide maximize the value of their investment in Autodesk technology. For more information about Autodesk Consulting, see www.autodesk.com/consulting.

Autodesk Subscription is the easiest way to keep design tools and learning up to date. For an annual fee, customers benefit from the latest versions of their licensed Autodesk software, Web support direct from Autodesk, self-paced training options, and a broad range of other technology and business benefits. For more information, contact your Autodesk Authorized Reseller or visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

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.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Streamline, and Productstream 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: Tania Kempf
415-547-2469
EMAIL: Tania.Kempf@autodesk.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Tania Kempf of Autodesk, Inc., +1-415-547-2469, or Tania.Kempf@autodesk.com

http://www.autodesk.com