Leading Manufacturers Improve Their Product Development Processes with Autodesk Streamline

Business Wire, Sept 24, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 24, 2002

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that manufacturers including Arken Designs, Lithonia Lighting, and WMH Tool Group are turning to Autodesk Streamline, the company's online project collaboration service to help them improve communication, automate processes, reduce mistakes, and shorten time to market.

Ron Crain, owner of Arken Designs said, "My clients love Autodesk Streamline, which lets me communicate more clearly with them. Now I can present multiple design options to them better at the conceptual stage and secure quick feedback on work-in-progress. Clients can also better visualize and understand project designs and manipulate my Autodesk Inventor files and 3D models without requiring them to own the software."

Arken Designs (www.arken.net) provides product development and manufacturing tooling development consulting services. "One client, a large computer manufacturer, has improved business processes by accessing files I post to Autodesk Streamline while meeting with manufacturers in Japan," said Crain.

Another manufacturer who selected the Autodesk Streamline service to shorten time-to-market and automate processes is Lithonia Lighting (www.lithonia.com), one of North America's largest manufacturers of lighting equipment. As a result of the one-year pilot program's success, Lithonia doubled its online project space and users.

"We have best practices built around (Autodesk) Streamline for our parts and tooling quoting process and expect to see significant time and cost reductions for new product development," said Lynn Brenton, director of Commercial and Industrial Systems at Lithonia Lighting.

Realizing similar benefits, WMH Tool Group (www.WMHToolGroup.com) is seeing measurable results from its use of the Autodesk Streamline online collaboration service. Bill McCann, Auburn, Engineering publications editor department of WMH Tool Group said, "We've only scratched the surface of Autodesk Streamline capabilities, and we estimate we can achieve at least 20 percent improvement using its full capabilities. We expect 10 percent or greater productivity for each additional department that adopts it."

Currently, WMH Tool Group, which manufactures stationary and portable power tools, has 25 Autodesk Streamline users across North America and Asia. "For us, like many manufacturers, there is a simple formula for success. Better communication, plus better organization, plus better business processes equals increased competitive advantage. (Autodesk) Streamline is a key to achieving that result," said Barry Schwaiger, engineering manager for the Industrial Wood Division of WMH Tool Group.

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.

Note to Editors: Autodesk, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Streamline 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. All rights reserved.