Implementing Real-time Engineer-to-Order Solution for Distributed Sales Force
of 600 to Grow Market Share
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that Hytrol Conveyor Company Inc., one of the
largest manufacturers of conveyors and conveying systems in North and South
America, has deployed a comprehensive Autodesk manufacturing solution,
enabling its company to increase operational efficiency, sales volumes and
market share. Working with Autodesk Consulting and D3 Technologies, a leading
Autodesk channel partner, Hytrol has implemented new business processes to
accelerate mass product customization from the point of sales to delivery of
its conveyor systems.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )
Established in 1947, Hytrol has remained focused on providing customers with
fully automated, high-speed sortation systems that dramatically cut material
handling costs. To increase its competitiveness, the company was looking for
a solution that would enable it to design and deliver its highly customized
conveyors to market faster. Hytrol's business model is to sell exclusively
through its 80 distributors, so the company believes that implementing an
"engineer-to-order" (ETO) solution will shorten sales and engineering cycles,
accelerate manufacturing processes by automating bill of materials production
and facilitate customer ordering processes at the time of order.
"Autodesk Consulting helped us to investigate and understand our business
processes before we started implementing software. They thought of things we
hadn't even considered, and have given us good direction," said George
Williams, director of product technology at Hytrol Conveyor Company.
At the core of Hytrol's solution is Autodesk Intent engineering
configuration software, a true ETO application that automates product
customization. Autodesk Intent will enable Hytrol to rapidly and efficiently
configure and deliver its conveyor systems. Embedding engineering rules into
Autodesk Intent software will enable sales teams to achieve pre-approved
designs in the field, reducing design iterations and minimizing costly errors.
The distributors will be able to show customers exactly what Hytrol will
deliver at time of order.
Autodesk Intent is tightly integrated with Autodesk Inventor software, the
world's number one selling 3D mechanical design solution and best choice for
3D design. The integration enables Hytrol to produce engineering documents
based on input from their distributors. Autodesk Inventor supports both 2D
and 3D design processes, which Hytrol finds especially beneficial. Similar to
most companies, Hytrol has both 2D and 3D design data. "Using Autodesk
Inventor, we are able to easily create accurate designs, more clearly
visualize our designs and better communicate design intent," says Williams.
"By implementing the Autodesk manufacturing solution, we will enable our
network of more than 600 sales reps across 80 distributors to enter real-time
engineer-to-order sales in the field," said Stuart Shaw, manager of
information systems at Hytrol Conveyor Company. "Autodesk Intent was a no-
brainer for us, as it had everything we needed for ETO -- functionality that
would have taken two to three times as long to write ourselves. With Autodesk
Inventor, we get the optimal solution for designing in 3D while leveraging our
existing investments in 2D. We couldn't be more pleased with our relationship
with Autodesk, as they've consistently demonstrated an interest in our
business."
Hytrol had initially built an in-house product data management system, but
again turned to Autodesk for a better solution. Autodesk Vault data
management functionality manages the company's 3D design data, and soon all of
the company's engineering work will be in Vault. Hytrol has also deployed the
Autodesk Streamline hosted project management solution, to publish and
distribute technical documentation to its distributors. Using Autodesk
Streamline, the distributors have instant access to product manuals for
customer installations or service calls, which dramatically increases customer
satisfaction.
"The Autodesk manufacturing solution delivers high-value, rapidly
deployable software to meet real business requirements, as demonstrated at
Hytrol," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of the Autodesk
Manufacturing Solutions division. "Implementing Autodesk software, Hytrol has
dramatically enhanced many areas across its business, increasing sales
opportunities for the company and its network of distributors."
About Hytrol
Hytrol is a major manufacturer of conveyors, conveying systems and
conveyor accessories. Since its beginnings in 1947, Hytrol has grown into one
of the largest manufacturers of conveyors and conveying hardware in North and
South America. For more information, visit www.hytrol.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is 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 building, manufacturing, infrastructure,
digital media 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 by
becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing
profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For
additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.
NOTE: Autodesk, Autodesk Intent, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk
Streamline are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the
USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or
trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Contact: Jeannie Hornung, 415-318-4118
Email: hornungj@fleishman.com
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
07/31/2006
CONTACT: Jeannie Hornung, +1-415-318-4118, or hornungj@fleishman.com,
for Autodesk, Inc.
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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
(ADSK)
