Autodesk User Group International

Salzberg: Historically, CAD has been identified with powerful precision data entry and editing tools for engineering design, and GIS has been associated with spatial analysis and mapping. Many organizations used both CAD and GIS tools in different departments because these tools offer different feature sets. Data from original CAD drawings was frequently imported and digitized for use in the GIS mapping environment. But this was often a one-way trip, with data losing connectivity, accuracy, and geometric precision, and users incurring potential liabilities for these errors. GIS software rarely supported the geometric precision and accuracy required in case the data needed to move back to CAD for further design tasks. To ensure success, engineering and GIS professionals and their clients require:

Precision data capture, creation, and maintenance tools, whether for surveying, mapping, or engineering design
Tools that are fully integrated with database and analysis capabilities
Full process and lifecycle integration, so they can pass digital geographic or design data transparently between project team members at any point and, later, to downstream users, such as operations managers, facility managers, field technicians, or the general public

Products including Autodesk Map� 3D, Autodesk� Utility Design, and Autodesk MapGuide� software address these fundamental problems of CAD and GIS integration. An integrated approach simplifies collaboration among surveying, mapping, engineering, construction, and operations professionals, so companies can streamline their business processes, create more business opportunities, and achieve a higher return on their data and software investment. Autodesk solutions help to make the complete organization more profitable, not just a single department.

HotNews: From a product features point of view, what in your opinion are the most compelling reasons for users to switch from using AutoCAD� for mapping and GIS-related activities to using Autodesk Map 3D?

Salzberg: In addition to all the AutoCAD functionality, Autodesk Map 3D offers mapping and GIS professionals features that streamline their workflow and make their jobs easier, such as:

A multiuser environment that manages multiple GIS files or CAD drawings across a seamless spatial extent for data creation, editing, query, and analysis
Native support for several industry-standard GIS and CAD data formats
Native support for hundreds of worldwide geographic data, projections, and coordinate systems
Native support for GIS data stored in a relational database like Oracle� Locator, Oracle� Spatial, and Autodesk� GIS Design Server
Flexible, user-definable attribute data embedding through object data
GIS spatial analysis tools such as network tracing, buffer, and polygon overlay
Data management tools to coordinate data specific to your project

HotNews: Have you found that, over time, the target user for mapping/GIS products has changed? In other words, has Autodesk been able to tap into market segments that once were not considered suitable for this type of product?

Salzberg: Autodesk continues to focus on users in communications and utilities firms, engineering and construction firms, as well as government. These users are responsible for creating and managing the infrastructure around us. Although the market segments haven�t changed, Autodesk is better positioned to solve problems in departments other than design and mapping. There are many other �consumers� of the design and mapping data outside those departments. Customer Service, Sales, Marketing, and Operations need that integrated CAD/GIS view to do their jobs effectively. Autodesk provides both platform products, like Autodesk GIS Design Server and Autodesk MapGuide, and applications built on Autodesk Map software, including Autodesk� Civil 3D and Autodesk Utility Design, to solve customers� business problems at every stage of the infrastructure lifecycle.

HotNews: What, if any, resistance have you found among AutoCAD users to make the switch to Autodesk Map? Are their primary objections about price, learning curve, or something else?

Salzberg: Some users have the perception that Autodesk is a CAD-only company, since they got to know us when they bought AutoCAD software. These users are often surprised to learn how easy it is to integrate and exchange data with other industry-standard GIS formats, including Oracle. By adding spatial capabilities to their design data, they quickly achieve the desired integration of CAD and GIS that can answer so many crucial business questions.

HotNews: Regarding users who have made the transition from AutoCAD to Autodesk Map, what do they report are the most dramatic benefits they�ve realized?

Salzberg: Users who have converted to Autodesk Map have found that the ability to work with 3D data, such as points and point groups, dramatically improves their productivity and streamlines workflow, and that the ability to create 2D and 3D representations of surfaces makes it easier to communicate with colleagues outside their department. In addition, the ability to import and export GIS and mapping formats enables them to access more data sources and addresses the key issue of data integration. Also crucial is the ability to customize the application to meet their specific mapping needs, improving productivity and thus profitability of the entire organization.

HotNews: Besides AutoCAD, what other key Autodesk products work with Autodesk Map 3D? And are there third-party applications�those from your software developer partners�that work in conjunction with Autodesk Map 3D as well?

Salzberg: Built on the AutoCAD 2005 software foundation, Autodesk Map 3D offers full DWG compatibility with all AutoCAD-based products. Key companion products from Autodesk include:

Autodesk MapGuide
Autodesk� Raster Design 2005
Autodesk Envision�
Autodesk� Land Desktop
Autodesk� VIZ
Autodesk� DWF� Viewer
Autodesk Utility Design

In addition, the software�s open application programming interface (API) makes it possible for developers to create custom applications that work on top of Autodesk Map 3D to meet an organization�s specific mapping needs.

Ten authorized partners are shipping near-simultaneous add-on applications to run on the Autodesk Map 3D 2005 foundation. GEOMAP, based in France, and C-Plan AG, headquartered in Switzerland, have coordinated the development cycle of their flagship products to coincide with Map 3D 2005�s first shipment so that joint customers can immediately benefit from new 3D capabilities and topology enhancements. GEOMAP provides precision design/management tools for telecommunication networks. C-Plan specializes in applications for the utilities industry.

Munsys Technologies, IME UK Ltd., GLA International, Woolpert LLP, 4DataLink, Kelar Corp., and Utility Sciences Corporation will introduce Map 3D 2005-based applications within the next few weeks. These add-on applications help customers responsible for designing the efficiency and safety of the world�s infrastructure�from urban planners to civil engineers and airport security managers.

Customers depend on a wide range of add-on applications that make Map 3D a mission-critical application in a variety of specialized, vertical markets. Map 3D 2005 expands the range of possible markets by providing developers with the tools they need to get their applications to market faster than ever before. It's a partnership that�s extremely important to Autodesk.

More information about these partner applications can be found at http://www.autodesk.com/partnerproducts.

HotNews: What, in your opinion, is the next big trend in the mapping/GIS industry and how will Autodesk address it?

Salzberg: Customers tell us they need to share mission-critical data with others in their organizations, both in the office and in the field. The next wave of investment will come from providing up-to-date, accurate information to users straight out of the database. The required integration can be complex. Autodesk Consulting works directly with customers to build solutions based on Autodesk platform technology, applications, and partner products that solve the most challenging business problems.

David Salzberg is Customer Solution Manager, Communications & Utilities for Autodesk's Infrastructure Solutions Division.

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