Autodesk is phasing in an innovative Internet strategy aimed at guiding local companies, in the built environment and manufacturing sector, to exploit the power of the Internet to achieve their design and business objectives. Autodesk's vision - iDesign - is to create an improved design process that results in a more intuitive design environment, in which users can visualise, develop and communicate their ideas, unlocking the value of their designs and extending their value enterprise-wide.

"We are realising our vision by implementing a three-phase Internet strategy," explains Errol Ashwell Managing Director of Autodesk Africa. "Trusted Autodesk desktop software solutions are being integrated with the Web. We are creating browser-based tools that use the Web to integrate and disseminate design information to the extended enterprise, and we are developing market-specific portals for project collaboration, provision of services and to foster e-commerce and communication between Autodesk users and their customers.

South African design professionals are already accessing the Autodesk portal, Point A, for design news, training tips, and to network with their peers from around the world. Located at http://pointA.autodesk.com the site provides a centralised on-line community of resources for a broad range of designers, engineers and architects.

Two market-specific Autodesk portals are buzzsaw.com, for the building and construction industry, and redspark.com, for the manufacturing environment. The portals will become on-line trading communities. Buzzsaw.com provides project collaboration, on-line meetings, and business services such as on-line credit reports. Redspark.com will provide a broad range of manufacturing services for obtaining direct materials, starting with Request for Quote (RFQ) systems for custom parts manufacturing supported by an on-line collaborative environment where supplier-to-buyer and engineer-to-engineer information exchanges can take place. South African content is being developed for both portals.

Of more immediate benefit to South African design professionals is the consolidation of optimisation of Autodesk's local reseller channel.

"We have pared down the channel," explains Ashwell, "and consolidated our distribution network in a more focused core of resellers highly experienced in specific industry sectors.

"The implementation of these new strategies position us as much more than a design software provider," says Ashwell. "We are a design resource company that helps users exploit design as a competitive advantage. We are offering software and Internet services to help customers drive their businesses through the power of design."

Autodesk

(011) 318 2900

www.autodesk.com