SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 1, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Autodesk Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that retailer organizations worldwide including PETCO, Woolworths, Ltd., Australia, and Westwood Contractors, a national general contractor that works with leading retail brands have made Autodesk(R) Buzzsaw(R) project management service their primary platform for the construction of new stores and renovation of existing ones. Autodesk Buzzsaw helps design teams standardize processes and collaborate in near real time as they create, manage and share thousands of drawings and related project documents. By streamlining coordination and cutting costs from conventional forms of communication, teams are more likely to complete projects on or ahead of budget and schedule -- a tremendous advantage in a fiercely competitive sector.

As the economy shifts and retail sales expand, retailers must expedite the construction of new stores to meet demand. Autodesk Buzzsaw helps address key challenges associated with retail construction, streamlining information management processes by centralizing all design and project documents in one secure, online location. Autodesk Buzzsaw also offers retail industry-specific templates, including updated dashboards, forms, logs and reports. As a result, retailers significantly curb project costs such as printing and shipping expenses, and reduce revenue loss associated with delays to store openings.

"Using Autodesk Buzzsaw, we are able to virtually eliminate paper from our review process and complete reviews and approvals faster, trimming approximately $10,000 per year in related costs," said Craig Brown, Store Designer, PETCO. "Since turning to Autodesk Buzzsaw, we have significantly reduced version control errors during construction and store execution -- the entire team always has access to the latest information, and we have an activity log to make sure they're using it."

For retailers already facing tight margins, design and building costs can skyrocket due to construction delays, waste and error -- undermining the benefits of expansion. As a platform for effective project management, Autodesk Buzzsaw can transform project economics with efficient collaboration and significant cost management.

"More than 100,000 Autodesk Buzzsaw customers are taking advantage of improved coordination and increased accountability, to do more with less," said Amar Hanspal, vice president, Autodesk Collaboration Services. "Retailers can't afford for project management issues to derail expansion plans that are based on complex and sophisticated operational models. Autodesk Buzzsaw helps eliminate that risk and save time and money, pure and simple."

According to industry experts, retailers are adding technology to their stock in trade for competitive advantage. "Retailers are demonstrating an accelerated rate of technology adoption in areas including collaboration and project management," said Jeff Roster, principal analyst at Gartner Research. "The retail sector is transforming its approach to the use of technology for mission-critical projects and processes such as design and construction."

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six 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 and Buzzsaw are either 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: Jennifer Giles of Autodesk, +1-415-547-2458, or Jennifer.giles@autodesk.com.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.

Jennifer Giles of Autodesk, +1-415-547-2458, or Jennifer.giles@autodesk.com