SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Feb 27, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

China State Shipbuilding Corporation Selects Autodesk Software for a Global Competitive Advantage

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design and digital content creation company, today announced that China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), one of China's top 100 enterprises, will purchase 10,000 licenses of the Autodesk Inventor Series over the next three years, primarily for the use of Autodesk Inventor 3D mechanical design software included in the Autodesk Inventor Series. CSSC worked with China Daheng Information Technology Corporation, Autodesk's Manufacturing channel partner in China, to select the Autodesk software as its standard for digital design.

China is the third-largest shipbuilding nation in the world, and entry into the World Trade Organization has created an urgent need to upgrade its shipping industry's technology infrastructure. Implementing enterprise-wide IT and advanced digital design solutions are necessary to improve China's competitiveness in the global shipbuilding industry.

The collaborative capabilities of Autodesk's software will help CSSC promote digital information exchange among ship design enterprises and ship owners. CSSC also anticipates that improved collaboration will increase competitiveness throughout its shipbuilding supply chain, improving quality and enhancing results.

"The advantage of low labor costs in China cannot be undermined by low productivity," said Qiu Huihui, vice president of Information Industry and Investment Development at CSSC. "Utilizing advanced and suitable information technology is one of CSSC's strategies to address global competition. Cooperating with Autodesk has created an environment for CSSC to fully utilize the 3D design applications and resources available from Autodesk."

"Autodesk's work with CSSC plays a strategic role in supporting China's policy of adopting advanced technology," said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Division at Autodesk. "Autodesk is committed to working with CSSC and China Daheng Information Technology Corporation to ensure they are able to take full advantage of the powerful functionality offered by Autodesk Inventor 3D design software."

    About China State Shipbuilding Corporation

China State Shipbuilding Corporation, one of China's largest shipbuilding companies, has an annual building capacity of more than three million tons, and its annual production revenue reached $1 billion in 2001, with more than two-thirds of the revenue coming from exports. CSSC's Research and Development institutes and shipyards are capable of designing and building ships complying with the rules and regulations of any classification and capable of navigating in every part of the world.

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc. is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain leverage digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Note to Editors: Autodesk and Autodesk Inventor are either registered trademarks or 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:          Autodesk, Inc.
                  Cindi Goodsell, 415/507-8452
                  cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com

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