Press Release

Contact:           Eric Sutphin, 415-507-6658

Autodesk Homeland Security Initiative Adds Applications for Local, State, and Federal Governments

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

GeoSpatial Technologies Symposium and Exposition, August 20, 2002 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. © Copyright 2002 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.