Move from 2D to 3D Design Helps Company Secure New Business

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that Malaysia's Ngai Cheong Metal Industries Sdn Bhd, a metal stamping company and manufacturer of automotive components, has halved manpower needs and tripled production rates using Autodesk Inventor(R), the premier software for 3D mechanical design. Replacing 2D designs, paper-based drawings, and costly prototypes, Ngai Cheong is now able to design and test digital representations of new machines and press tools with automated functions in a virtual 3D environment -- leading to better communication with customers and a growth in new business.

The software has given Ngai Cheong enhanced capabilities and increased flexibility in handling new projects. With Autodesk Inventor software, Ngai Cheong has moved to a complete 3D design and development process that allows the company to accept complex 3D model designs files from their global client list and respond with complete design proposals in only days.

"Autodesk Inventor software allows us to confidently accept larger and more complex jobs, which in turn allows us to address the rapidly growing global demand especially for automobile parts," said Allan Wong Kim Leong, engineering manager at Ngai Cheong. "With Autodesk Inventor software, we have reduced the design development time of our custom manufacturing machines by weeks while increasing production rates by up to three times with only half the manpower. And, we did it all within budget."

"Autodesk Inventor Series software is proven to be a competitive advantage for companies worldwide," said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Solutions Division at Autodesk. "It not only improves their design and business processes, but it also helps them win new business."

Moving from 2D to 3D Improves Communications and Increases Business

Ngai Cheong designs, builds, and operates manufacturing and metal stamping tools and dies, as well as special dedicated secondary process machines that automate the production of complex and high-quality automobile parts. In the past Ngai Cheong used to take months to design new machines. These machines would then require management approval, a challenging process because the 2D drawings were difficult to explain to non-engineering staff. They also required an approval from customers to be convinced of the machine and tool's capabilities. Today, Ngai Cheong shows managers, customers, and prospects exactly how the machine and its tools will work, what it looks like, design elements, functionality, components, and placement using high quality AVI files. The end result is more business.

Previously, Ngai Cheong had to build the machine and hope it worked well the first time. This required their contractors to work from 2D drawings that could sometimes lead to confusion and further delays. With Autodesk Inventor software, Ngai Cheong no longer worries about this as drawings are created directly from 3D representations of the machines.

"Autodesk Inventor continues to be a strategic tool for manufacturers around the world who are faced with increasingly globalized economies that demand faster response times, better quality control at the design stage, and greater cost efficiencies," said Mr Andre Pravaz, regional director, South Asia Pacific, Autodesk. "Companies like Ngai Cheong are now able to improve their design processes and, in turn, realize revenue growth at an increased rate."

i-Vek, one of Autodesk's channel partners in Malaysia, played a critical role in the implementation and success of Autodesk Inventor software at Ngai Cheong. i-Vek delivered a three-day jump start program, which offers one-on-one training for three days at the customer's site. As a result, Ngai Cheong was able to become productive with the software quickly and to start reaping its benefits.

Autodesk Manufacturing's Design and Data Management Solutions

Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions Division offers companies the most comprehensive selection of 2D and 3D design and data management solutions, critical tools that help them innovate, increase productivity, optimize processes, and bring higher quality products to market faster for less cost. Unlike other offerings on the market today, Autodesk's design and data management solutions are easy to install and use, providing rapid results without the complex, costly installations of large-scale product lifecycle management systems. Autodesk's manufacturing solutions include AutoCAD(R), AutoCAD(R) Mechanical, and AutoCAD(R) Electrical software, the Autodesk Inventor(R) Professional and Autodesk Inventor(R) Series 3D mechanical design packages that are integrated with the new Autodesk(R) Vault functionality which is available to subscription users only, and the Autodesk Streamline(R) collaboration service. In addition, customers can take advantage of widely available third-party applications purpose-built for Autodesk software and they can utilize Autodesk Professional Services to garner greater value from their software.

For an annual fee, Autodesk(R) Subscription customers benefit from a complete technology, training and support program that protects their software investments by providing them with the most current design technology, web support direct from Autodesk, flexible self-paced training options and a broad range of other technology and business benefits. For products like Autodesk Inventor, the program provides a timely cycle of new releases with rich new content as soon as it becomes available. For more information about Autodesk Subscription, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

About Autodesk

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 or www.autodesk.com.my.

NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Streamline are registered 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:   Gayathri Subramaniam/Stephen P Francis
    Email:     gsubramaniam@webershandwick.com; sfrancis@webershandwick.com

    Contact:   Cindi Goodsell, +1-415-507-8452
    Email:     cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com


SOURCE  Autodesk, Inc.
    -0-                             10/23/2003
    /CONTACT:  Gayathri Subramaniam, gsubramaniam@webershandwick.com, or
Stephen P Francis, sfrancis@webershandwick.com, both for Autodesk; or Cindi
Goodsell, +1-415-507-8452 of Autodesk, cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000518/SFTH083LOGO
              AP Archive:  http://photoarchive.ap.org
             PRN Photo Desk, +1-888-776-6555 or +1-212-782-2840/

    /Web site:  http://www.autodesk.com/
    (ADSK)

CO:  Autodesk, Inc.; Ngai Cheong Metal Industries Sdn Bhd
ST:  California, Malaysia
IN:  CPR STW MNG
SU:  LIC



EB 
-- SFTH010 --
7728 10/23/2003 08:03 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com