Autodesk Enhances Geospatial
Software Solutions for Utilities, Telecommunications and Government
Latest Applications Deliver Fully Integrated Platform for Managing Spatial Data,
Design Assets
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 12, 2008—At
its World Press Days event, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the latest
versions of its geospatial software solutions, which provide users in utility and
telecommunications organizations and government agencies with a powerful, affordable
and flexible geospatial platform. Enhancements in AutoCAD Map 3D 2009, Autodesk
MapGuide Enterprise 2009 and AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 software applications build
on the solutions’ fundamental properties of open data access and interoperability
with other design, GIS and IT systems. In addition, the new products offer an enhanced,
intuitive user environment and new tools to help organizations quickly capitalize
on their staff’s expertise with AutoCAD software and with existing spatial data.
“Global infrastructure is falling farther behind the needs of emerging and developed
nations, and the organizations and agencies that must address the issue are grappling
with a shortage of experienced workers,” said Lisa Campbell, vice president, Autodesk
Geospatial. “Autodesk geospatial solutions combine design and geospatial information
without requiring difficult customization, so that users can make fast, insightful
decisions and improve engineering standards—and ultimately, accelerate project completion.”
With its 2009 geospatial solutions, Autodesk is expanding on two key principles
that address customers’ needs: an open, flexible and interoperable geospatial platform,
and tools that are easy to learn and use. The latest enhancements build on an open
architecture that preserves data integrity and helps ensure that vital design and
spatial asset information moves in and out of systems easily. The software applications
and their open application programming interfaces serve as the basis for solutions
purpose-built for utility companies by Autodesk and third-party software developers.
Geospatial Platform Is Even Easier to Use
As part of its commitment to interoperability and flexibility, Autodesk
has continued to take steps to help customers make the most of their hardware and
software investments. AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 software reflects that effort: The software
has been validated with Citrix Presentation Server software through the Citrix Ready
program, offering customers more deployment options. Customers can take advantage
of AutoCAD Map 3D software and the Citrix application delivery environment’s support
for consolidated delivery and single-point management, in pursuit of efficient,
cost-effective design and spatial data solutions.
Other significant new functionality in AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 enhances the user environment
and builds on Feature Data Object or FDO technology, a central component of the
Autodesk geospatial platform that allows customers to work with the data format
they prefer and helps ensure consistent access to data regardless of source or location.
• Automatic installation of AutoCAD 2009 software—Installation
of AutoCAD Map 3D 2009 software automatically installs AutoCAD 2009 software, so
customers can take advantage of proven, reliable, industry-leading software (see
related press release, “Autodesk Introduces Productivity Boosts to AutoCAD Software,”
Feb. 12, 2008).
• Powerful user interface enhancements—The new Expression Builder
provides a consolidated user interface for all functions, including query and math
functions from FDO data sources.
• Faster data creation and editing—Key editing and
attribute creation
tasks have been simplified and improved with the addition of standard AutoCAD commands
for geospatial data accessed through FDO technology. New split and merge rules enable
easy editing of polygon objects.
• Cleaner, more informative maps and plans—Labeling and annotation
updates enhance designs, maps and plans that use data accessed through FDO technology.
Tools Extend Value of Scanned Data
AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 software plays a part in more efficient spatially
enabled design, as well. The application extends the power of AutoCAD software and
AutoCAD-based applications to make the most of scanned drawings, maps, aerial photos,
satellite imagery and digital elevation models. AutoCAD Raster Design 2009 works
with Autodesk geospatial solutions and other AutoCAD 2009 software-based applications,
and includes a new ribbonstyle interface for quicker, visual access to commands
that helps improve user productivity.
Web Mapping Platform Features Innovation from Open Source Community
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software provides a powerful mapping platform
for delivering geospatial information quickly, easily and cost-effectively via the
Web. Based on MapGuide Open Source, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise couples the innovation
of a broad community of developers with quality assurance and support characteristic
of a proprietary application.
The latest release incorporates Flexible Web Layouts, based on the recent contribution
of Fusion technology to the MapGuide Open Source community by DM Solutions Group.
Flexible Web Layout technology helps speed development of Web mapping applications
created with Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2009 and with MapGuide Open Source 2.0
(recently released at http://www.osgeo.org/mapguide). With Flexible Web Layouts,
Web designers and software developers do not need specific geospatial application
development expertise to create Web mapping applications.
Autodesk MapGuide Studio 2009 software, the authoring environment within Autodesk
MapGuide Enterprise software, also supports Flexible Web Layouts and makes it easy
for developers to switch between a set of design templates and click-and-drag application
functionality options.
Support for Efficient, Cost-Effective Engineering Services
“We are a long-time user of Autodesk geospatial software, and Autodesk
solutions help us improve our business processes by leveraging engineering design
information to better manage our assets,” said Greg Braswell, water/wastewater information
manager of the San Francisco Department of Public Works. “Autodesk products allow
us to integrate our asset management and GIS with our engineering, design and construction
teams; improve our workflow and data
accuracy while saving money; and get the right
information to the right people at the right time.”
Availability
AutoCAD Map 3D 2009, the Autodesk MapGuide 2009 family of products and
AutoCAD Raster Design software are scheduled to be available in the spring. Product
availability will vary by country. Details and purchasing options will be accessible
starting March 25, 2008, at http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions. Information
and selected content from Autodesk World Press Days may be found at http://www.worldpressdays08.com.
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 www.autodesk.com.
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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. © 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.