Shive-Hattery Selects Avatech Solutions for AutoCAD Civil 3D Implementation

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2007

Pilot Project to Steer Company Toward Full 3D Modeling Capabilities

BALTIMORE -- Avatech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:AVSO.OB), the nationwide technology experts for design, engineering, and facilities management, announced today that Shive-Hattery has contracted Avatech to perform consulting, implementation, training, and support services over the next 6 months to launch and support AutoCAD Civil 3D and Autodesk Vault for their civil engineering staff in their Moline, IL, office.

Employee-owned and managed, Shive-Hattery is one of the largest architecture and engineering firms in the Midwest. Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Shive-Hattery has worked with Avatech for years to ensure that the professionals across their eight locations are kept up to date with leading technology tools and best practices.

Shive-Hattery's CAD Manager, Ken Fisher, says "I consider Avatech a vital and trusted partner in our business. Their technology expertise has helped us establish and maintain leading edge design systems and this pilot will bring our civil services online in 3D."

This new contract is for a pilot to demonstrate the productivity and efficiency gains that Civil 3D brings to design for the built environment. Currently the firm is working with AutoCAD Architecture AutoCAD MEP, and AutoCAD Land Desktop for civil work. Their goal is for the entire business to move to dynamic 3D modeling using Civil 3D and the Revit family of products.

"The future of building systems and engineering is moving toward information modeling for all disciplines and our vision at Shive-Hattery is for the adoption of 3D dynamic design tools across all services, including architecture, civil, structural, and MEP," said Dale Moore, Vice President at Shive-Hattery. "The value that Avatech brings is their depth of experience within our industry and their knowledge of the technology and how it will benefit our business."

"Forward-thinking firms like Shive-Hattery have already experienced the benefits of 3D with AutoCAD Architecture, but know they need to go one step further to stay ahead of the curve," said Bruce White, Senior Vice President of Sales at Avatech. "This Civil 3D implementation shows Shive-Hattery's commitment to long term innovation that benefits their customers and positions them as leaders in a rapidly moving market where a technical edge can improve the bottom line."

About Avatech Solutions

Avatech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:AVSO.OB) is a nationwide design automation and technology services company providing innovative solutions that enable clients to more effectively design, develop, and manage projects, products, and facilities. Avatech experts give customers a competitive advantage through technology consulting, implementation, integration, training, and support services exclusively for the design, engineering, and facilities management industries. Headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, Avatech is one of the largest integrators of Autodesk software worldwide and a leading provider of PLM solutions. Customers include industry leaders from the Fortune 500 and Engineering News Record's Top 100 companies. Visit www.avatech.com for more information.

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