SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) and Avatech Solutions (OTC Bulletin Board: AVSO), today announced that Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED), an national architecture and engineering firm with operations across the United States, has adopted the Revit platform for building information modeling (BIM) across the firm, replacing Bentley Triforma. The full-service architecture and engineering firm with more than 500 people in 7 offices is using Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP software to facilitate collaboration and coordination across all design disciplines. Avatech Solutions, (OTCBB: AVSO.OB), the technology experts for design, engineering, and facilities management, worked closely with HED to create a transition plan for the move to the Revit platform and ensure minimal disruption to the ongoing project delivery cycle during implementation. To date, HED has begun 5 projects in Revit, including a complex 130,000 square foot medical center, the Troy Ambulatory Care Center at Beaumont Hospital, which was their initial successful pilot project.

"For over 10 years, our firm has been pushing toward BIM, but we hit a brick wall with Bentley and knew we needed a better solution," said Donald Giroux, Chief Operating Officer, Harley Ellis Devereaux. "As the most powerful and popular BIM platform on the market, Revit was an easy choice. The 3D, shared information model significantly improves productivity by improving communications between architecture and engineering. Revit ensures that design and engineering information remain coordinated, helping to reduce design costs and errors, and cutting time to project completion for owners, which is a huge plus."

When HED decided to seek a new solution, they turned to Avatech Solutions to help create a plan, and to ensure success during the migration. Avatech helped by identifying the most appropriate technology, creating an implementation plan including a pilot and longer-term rollout. Today, Avatech continues to provide customized training on an ongoing basis.

Since initiating the pilot, HED has begun 5 projects on the Revit platform including 4 other buildings for Beaumont Hospitals. An important benefit stemming from HED's use of Revit on these projects has been an improved understanding of the details and architectural features of the building by the design team. In addition, designers are now able to see the whole building in 3D and from multiple perspectives, which is useful for client presentations and to resolve issues. HED engineers and architects are working together more closely, using the Revit platform to collaborate on the building model.

The Revit Platform for Building Information Modeling

The Revit platform is Autodesk's purpose-built solution for BIM -- the creation and use of coordinated, consistent and computable information about a building project. Such information is crucial to more efficient design decision making, precise construction document production, performance predictions, cost estimations and construction planning, as well as managing and operating facilities. At the core of the Revit platform, a powerful parametric change engine automatically helps coordinate all changes across design, documentation and analyses. The Revit platform can keep information coordinated, up-to-date and accessible in an integrated digital environment, giving architects, engineers, builders and owners a clear overall vision of all their projects, as well as aiding their ability to make better decisions faster.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

About Avatech Solutions

Avatech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: AVSO.OB) is a nationwide design automation and technology services company providing innovative solutions that enable clients to more effectively design, develop, and manage projects, products, and facilities. Avatech experts give customers a competitive advantage through technology consulting, implementation, integration, training, and support services exclusively for the design, engineering, and facilities management industries. Headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, Avatech is one of the largest integrators of Autodesk software worldwide and a leading provider of PLM solutions. Customers include industry leaders from the Fortune 500 and Engineering News Record's Top 100 companies. Visit http://www.avatech.com for more information.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Revit are 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. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time, without notice and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

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(C) 2007 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

Contact: Noah Cole, 503-707-3872
Email: noah.cole@autodesk.com

Contact: Elizabeth Bennett, 503-471-6831
Email: elizabeth.bennett@edelman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc. 10/11/2007


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6310 10/11/2007 08:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com