South African users of Autodesk World, the high-end GIS analysis tool from Autodesk - the Internet-based geographic information systems (GIS) technology leader - are adopting the free Autodesk migration plan to transition their Autodesk World licences to Internet-based solutions. The plan has been tailored especially for South African users and follows Autodesk's strategic decision in February this year to halt further development of Autodesk World and to focus on the growth of Internet-based GIS technology.

"The future of GIS lies with the Internet," says Errol Ashwell, Managing Director of Autodesk Africa. "Our vision of five years ago, that there should be an Autodesk World on every desktop, has been overtaken by the rapid adoption of Internet or intranet technology in the GIS field. There is no longer a need for a GIS on everyone's desktop because these days anyone who needs GIS information wants to access it via a web browser. Hence our decision to halt development of Autodesk World."

Autodesk, however, remains totally committed to GIS. The core of its strategy for the GIS and design environments is the Internet and it has dedicated itself to the ongoing development of best of breed web-based GIS software that will enable users exploit the power of the Internet or enterprise intranets to further their business objectives.

Autodesk is working in partnership with users to transition them to Internet-based technology. Depending upon the number of Autodesk World licences held, Autodesk is offering holders of existing software maintenance agreements free copies of AutoCAD Map and/or Autodesk MapGuide in return for their copies of Autodesk World.

AutoCAD Map and Autodesk MapGuide provide a complete GIS solution to the majority of South African GIS users.

"We estimate that only about five percent of local GIS users have analysis requirements that exceed the analysis capabilities of AutoCAD Map and Autodesk MapGuide," explains Ashwell. "For 95% of organisations, AutoCAD Map for data capture and/or analysis and an Autodesk MapGuide for GIS information dissemination and analysis, provide a complete GIS solution.

"For the small percentage of organisations that do require very high-end GIS analysis tools, AutoCAD Map and Autodesk MapGuide should still form the core of their GIS solution. This nucleus of GIS capability can be supplemented by sufficient seats of Autodesk World to cope with the users' analysis requirements. Autodesk World is still a current Autodesk product. There just is not going to be another release of the software."

Ashwell says there are also many examples around the world and in South Africa where AutoCAD Map and Autodesk MapGuide form the backbone of an organisation's GIS solution, with analysis requirements handled by a high-end analysis workstation from another GIS software vendor. Autodesk GIS solutions co-exist very well with other products on the market.

There is also a transition plan for users who do not have existing software maintenance agreements. Full details of the migration plans are available from Autodesk Africa on (011) 318 2900.

"Autodesk has shown special commitment to the South African GIS community," says Ashwell. "First we developed a final version of ReGIS just for South Africa, then we developed a multi-user version of Autodesk World just for South Africa and now we have put together a free migration plan for South African Autodesk World users. This is a very clear indication of our ongoing commitment to the local GIS community."

Autodesk

(011) 318 2900

www.autodesk.com