Utilities, Municipal Governments, Engineering Firms share spatial information across departments to see the big picture and make better decisions

 SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Sept. 12, 2006—Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) today announced the release of Autodesk Topobase 2007 infrastructure design and management solution. Built on Autodesk Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software, Autodesk Topobase 2007 addresses the challenges faced by organizations that collaborate on infrastructure projects, such as water or wastewater networks, by enabling teams to share spatial information across departments. Topobase customers can see the big picture with a more integrated view of all of their enterprise data, and improve productivity and bottom line results by completing projects faster and maintaining assets more efficiently.

 Spatial and asset information, generally managed by many departments and governed by several processes, does not often move smoothly from one process to the next, from one department to the next, or from one software system to the next. Autodesk Topobase 2007 solves this problem by integrating islands of computer-aided design (CAD), asset, geographical information system (GIS) and customer information from both paper and electronic sources into a centralized infrastructure spatial information database—providing unprecedented collaboration possibilities, improved data quality and decreased redundancy of work steps. For Topobase customers this can quickly translate into operational efficiencies including reduced project backlogs, improved customer service response time, more expedient resolution of outages and simplified government compliance reporting.

 A unique feature of Autodesk Topobase is its ability to leverage infrastructure project data from design and construction phases through ongoing infrastructure management. Topobase is an easy-to-implement, open and flexible system designed to integrate with existing business systems without the need for expensive proprietary tools or middleware. Standard industry-specific modules for managing specific types of infrastructure assets enable rapid implementation for a quick return on investment.

 Autodesk and Oracle:  Complete Solutions for GIS

Part of Autodesk Topobase 2007’s powerful functionality is derived from Oracle Spatial 10g Release 2 software, which is integrated into the solution. Oracle Spatial provides a single powerful repository for varied CAD, GIS and asset data. Combining Autodesk geospatial solutions with Oracle Spatial helps organizations manage spatial information in an open environment that can be integrated with existing enterprise and GIS systems. “Our complementary technological strengths and shared commitment to helping customers make the most of their data makes this an important relationship for Oracle and Autodesk,” said Rauline Ochs, Group Vice President, North America Alliances and Channels, Oracle. Autodesk is a Certified Partner in the Oracle PartnerNetwork.

 Stadtwerke Augsburg—an independent public utility located in Augsburg, Germany—has experienced many of the benefits that Autodesk Topobase delivers in managing its infrastructure assets. “With Topobase and Oracle Spatial, we no longer have to maintain multiple data sets, and we have reduced the risk of data entry errors,” said Juergen Biedermann, documentation and data processing manager, Stadtwerke Augsburg. “Our system is definitely helping us to deliver higher quality work, faster.”

 Autodesk and CH2M HILL:  Helping Customers Implement Topobase

To help customers integrate their CAD and GIS assets and leverage the full potential of Autodesk Topobase 2007, Autodesk has partnered with CH2M HILL. A global leader in spatial technology integration and consulting, CH2M HILL can help Autodesk Topobase customers with any or all of the implementation steps—such as installing Oracle database 10g and Topobase software, migrating data from existing sources, configuring databases and business workflows and training end users in the various departments throughout an organization. ”Our in-depth knowledge of Autodesk technology ensures a rapid deployment of Autodesk Topobase 2007,” said Nigel Nugent, vice president, CH2M HILL.  “That means a shorter time to positive ROI for customers, so that they can get the most out of their investment.” 

 “We are thrilled by the value that partners like Oracle and CH2M Hill bring to our solution,” said Chris Bradshaw, vice president of Infrastructure Solutions at Autodesk. “They help ensure that Autodesk Topobase 2007 is the most cost-effective, open and flexible solution on the market for helping customers centralize, consolidate and manage data and processes more effectively for improved reporting, project visibility and data quality across their organizations.”

 Vertical Modules for Water, Wastewater Speed Implementation for Utilities

Autodesk Topobase 2007 offers a series of standard modules designed with the unique needs of various infrastructure systems in mind. Each Topobase module has a detailed data model, workflows and display models, and can easily be configured to meet specific business needs. Initially, Water and Wastewater modules will be available, with additional modules made available in the future. Custom modules can also be developed by Autodesk Consulting or certified partners.

 Availability

Autodesk anticipates Autodesk Topobase 2007 will be available in International English in October 2006. For additional information, please contact your Autodesk sales representative, or visit:  http://www.autodesk.com/topobase.

 About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk’s solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively.  As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California.  For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

 About CH2M HILL

Headquartered in Denver, employee-owned CH2M HILL is a global firm providing engineering, construction, operations and related technical services to public and private clients. With more than $3 billion in revenue, CH2M HILL is an industry leading program management, construction management for fee, and design firm, as ranked by Engineering-News Record (2005). The firm’s work is concentrated in the areas of transportation, water, energy, environment, communications, construction and industrial facilities. CH2M HILL has more than 14,500 employees in 200 offices worldwide. CH2M HILL, a global leader in enterprise spatial solutions, fuses the power of spatial information with your existing information systems and data, to create powerful business solutions.  The result is faster, better business decision-making; more efficient asset management; efficient security and emergency response; and streamlining many other critical business functions. For more, visit www.ch2m.com/ess.