SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Aug 20, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Applications Are Now Available to Help Security and Emergency Response
   Teams Plan, Respond, Manage, and Recover from Crisis Situations

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced it has added two applications to its Homeland Security Initiative. The new applications are built by software developers using Autodesk's design, mapping and mobile technology and are aimed at helping local, state, and federal organizations to plan, respond, manage, and recover from crisis situations relating to homeland security. Each of the applications, available through the developers, is designed for fast deployment and can easily be configured to meet the specific needs of an organization. The applications are:

    --  CivicCenter Emergency Support is an emergency preparedness and
        response application that helps local government authorities
        during a community disaster by making data and related
        documentation quickly available. Its key tool, the Event
        Digitizer, allows real-time tracking of an emergency from
        incident notification to debriefing. CivicCenter Emergency
        Support was built by Kanotech Information Systems, Ltd., using
        Autodesk Map and Autodesk MapGuide. For more information,
        visit www.civicsoft.com/suite/erss.
    --  Geographic Security Portal(TM) is an incident management
        application that enhances airport security and protection
        through the use of interactive displays on web and mobile
        interfaces. Incident tracking, reporting, and administration
        are greatly improved with the addition of voice, pictures,
        video, and freehand redlining. Geographic Security Portal was
        built by Kelar Corporation using Autodesk MapGuide and
        Autodesk OnSite View. For more information, visit
        www.kelar.com/gis/gsp.
    Autodesk's Homeland Security Initiative

The goal of the Autodesk Homeland Security Initiative is to deliver to local, state and Federal governments a suite of design and mapping applications that are able to utilize existing legacy data, including DWG files, to create software applications that solve specific problems for critical infrastructure protection, public safety, and emergency management. As part of the initiative, Autodesk is working with Autodesk Developer Network (ADN) partners, software developers, and hardware vendors to create combined software and hardware technology.

By integrating design, spatial, and emergency response information in a geographic context, these applications enable the creation, integration, analysis, and visualization of information from multiple sources and improve data sharing between agencies and across jurisdictions without costly, risky, and time-consuming data conversion. The applications also integrate building floor plans and other engineering data with spatial data describing the surrounding environment; a critical requirement for facilitating safety and security both inside and outside the buildings.

"All security and emergency response organizations have similar fundamental needs, such as accessing data quickly and distributing it where it needs to be, but they also have their own unique set of requirements and challenges," said Larry Diamond, vice president of Autodesk's GIS Solutions Division. "Our Homeland Security Initiative was created to help emergency management and public safety first responders. With our technology providing the development platform and developers the expertise security and emergency response functionality, customers and their communities get powerful solutions that are fast to deploy and can be configured to meet their unique needs."

    Additional Homeland Security Applications

The following homeland security applications built by software vendors using Autodesk's mapping and mobile computing technology were announced previously:

    --  FloorView allows emergency personnel located in the field to
        quickly access and visualize building floor plans, aerial
        photographs, exterior and interior photographs, and the
        tactical information required to support rescue, recovery, or
        other field operations. FloorView was built by FloorView, LLC,
        using Autodesk Architectural Desktop and Autodesk MapGuide. To
        view this application, go to www.floorview.com.
    --  WebEnforcer supports accelerated data sharing between law
        enforcement, SWAT teams, firefighters, and other agencies. The
        software also performs web-based crime mapping, COMSTAT
        analysis, and Megan's Law enforcement for multiple
        jurisdictions. WebEnforcer was built by Focus Corporation
        using Autodesk MapGuide. For more information, visit
        www.focus.ca.

"Emergency personnel can't afford to wait for data," said Richard Neiman, president and CEO of FloorView, LLC. "They need accurate information immediately, wherever the emergency is, so they can develop effective tactical plans in a wide variety of scenarios. With Autodesk MapGuide providing the integration and distribution capabilities, FloorView gives them this fast access in the field enabling them to act in minutes, rather than hours. This has very significant implications for helping them save lives."

    Availability

All four applications are currently available from each respective vendor. CivicCenter Emergency Support, FloorView, and WebEnforcer are now available on the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule. Geographic Security Portal is expected to be available on the GSA Federal Supply Schedule by September 1, 2002. For more on Autodesk's Homeland Security Initiative, visit www.autodesk.com/hls.

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design software and digital content company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers create, use and leverage their digital design data. For more information about the company, see http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, Autodesk Map, and Autodesk MapGuide are registered 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:          Autodesk
                  Eric Sutphin, 415/507-6658
                  eric.sutphin@autodesk.com

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