SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced it has completed the acquisition of Gentry Systems, a leading supplier of specialized software tools and services to over 300 companies in 11 countries in the electric utility industry. The acquisition gives Autodesk industry-specific design functionality and services helping it extend its vision of a comprehensive asset management/facility management/geographic information system enterprise solution to the electric utility market. Combined with the recently announced Autodesk GIS Design Server (click: www.autodesk.com/gisdesignserver), electric utility companies will have a powerful solution for designing networks and integrating their GIS data and systems at the enterprise decision support level. The result is reduced costs, streamlined operational efficiency and increased competitiveness.

Electric utility companies are facing increasing pressures from a variety of directions including tighter customer service regulations, increasing demand and growing competition. They need technology to help them maximize the value of their GIS data across the entire enterprise and supply chain in order to provide essential services to their customers.

By acquiring Gentry Systems, Autodesk gains important front-end design capabilities specific to the electric utilities industry including job estimating, electric network design calculations, physical design calculations and more. Combining these capabilities with Autodesk GIS Design Server, AutoCAD Map(R), Autodesk MapGuide(R) and Autodesk OnSite(R), enables Autodesk to deliver the only end-to-end solution for meeting challenges specific to the electric utility industry.

"Our utility customers have told us that to meet increasing market pressures, they need to maximize the value of their GIS data with stronger tools -- improving efficiency and making the data immediately available to the business user regardless of what system is used or where it is located," said John Sanders, executive vice president, Design Solutions at Autodesk. "Acquiring Gentry gives us important front-end capabilities that when combined with the recently announced Autodesk GIS Design Server, presents an unmatched solution in the utility marketplace."

"The electric utility market has seen some dramatic changes over the last few years that has made integration of tools, data and technology a critical element for success," said Hal Gentry, CEO at Gentry Systems. "This acquisition gives not only our existing customers, but the broader market as well, a wider range of better integrated AM/FM/GIS technology for solving some very challenging problems in the utility market."

Terms of the Acquisition

The acquisition, structured as a stock swap, was completed on January 12 and is not material to Autodesk's financial results. Gentry Systems will become part of the GIS division at Autodesk and will continue to operate out of its St. Louis, Missouri facility. Autodesk will continue to support Gentry Systems' customers, their projects and the Gentry technology will be integrated with Autodesk's GIS solutions.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design and digital content creation resource. The company provides software and Internet portal services to help customers drive business through the power of design. One of the largest software companies in the world, Autodesk helps more than four million customers in over 150 countries turn designs into reality. For more information, contact any Authorized Autodesk Reseller, call Autodesk at 800-964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com. Discreet product information is available at 800 869-3504 or via the web at www.discreet.com. Autodesk shares are traded on the Nasdaq national market under the symbol ADSK.

NOTE:
Autodesk, the Autodesk logo, and AutoCAD Autodesk GIS Design Server, AutoCAD Map, Autodesk MapGuide and Autodesk OnSite are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc. in the United States and/or certain other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks are used solely for the purpose of identification and belong to their respective holders.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

CONTACT: Farnoush Deylamian of Autodesk, Inc., 415-507-6533, or Farnoush.deylamian@autodesk.com