Autodesk, Inc. ADSK -0.39% , a world leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, and Pitney Bowes Software, Inc., a global leader in customer data, location intelligence, analytics and communication software and services, today announced they have entered into a strategic alliance agreement. The new agreement will serve as a framework for both companies to provide resources, services and solutions to help infrastructure owners and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) organizations make more informed decisions and drive greater efficiencies across the plan, design, build, manage lifecycle of infrastructure.

The relationship will enable the parties to provide infrastructure professionals in transportation, government, utilities, and other key industries with the broadest range of coordinated solutions available today to help fully realize the value of project information–from planning and asset management to design and on through to operations and management. Under the terms of the strategic alliance agreement, Pitney Bowes Software and Autodesk will join forces to better address the needs of a global customer base. In addition, through coordinating the integration of existing applications, both companies will work together to deliver solutions which address some of the more immediate business issues within a number of identified vertical markets.

“We see tremendous synergies between the offerings of Autodesk and Pitney Bowes Software,” said Paul McRoberts, vice president, infrastructure product line group, Architecture, Engineering and Construction Solutions, Autodesk. “Users of our BIM for Infrastructure Solutions, including the Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite, can gain tremendous benefits from the deep insights that the MapInfo product family can provide, particularly during the planning and asset management phases of infrastructure projects. With our combined deep industry expertise and solutions for GIS, analytics, BIM, and asset management, we will be well positioned to offer a much more comprehensive end-to-end solution to the market than other providers.”

“Shared global reach and industry sectors reflect the strong affinity between Autodesk and Pitney Bowes Software. Our complementary capabilities will enhance the value of our solutions and create enormous efficiencies for our customers,” said James Buckley, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Customer Data & Location Intelligence, Pitney Bowes Software. “AEC experts will be able to take advantage of unique solutions which will shorten the modeling and construction phases within projects and will help organizations to determine optimum location and environmental impact of design scenarios and optimize asset maintenance management so that infrastructure monies can be maximized across the entire asset lifecycle.”

“A tremendous amount of valuable data is locked up in traditional GIS systems. Unlocking that value has the potential for delivering increased operational efficiencies for infrastructure projects,” said Jeff Vining, Research VP at Gartner. “This is particularly important for agencies and local government departments around the world looking to implement smart government initiatives. Combining the power of location intelligence with BIM modeling will help agencies and local governments improve decision making across the plan, design, build, manage lifecycle.”

This strategic alliance agreement also provides both organizations with a unique opportunity to develop specific, industry related, solutions in the future using the industry knowledge, products and services of both companies.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/autodesk-and-pitney-bowes-software-enter-strategic-alliance-agreement-2012-01-10

Autodesk Inc. has added new cloud computing services to its design software portfolio in an attempt to make its subscription sales model more attractive for customers, and an easier sell for partners.

Autodesk Cloud is a collection about a dozen Web-based products and services with new sharing and mobility capabilities. All subscription customers will have 3GB of storage for each seat of software on subscription and 100 “cloud units” to spend on other cloud services that aren’t already included with their current software subscriptions.

“Our customers are so remote and mobile,” said Shanna Tellerman, product line manager for the cloud platform at Autodesk.

Related story: Autodesk to delve deeper in the enterprise space and the cloud
The company has added Autodesk cloud documents, a DropBox or Google Docs type of application, along with mobile apps to cater to all of its customers who work from various locations. The Design Review mobile app for viewing, reviewing and marking-up design files and AutoCAD WS design editor are available through Apple’s iOS App Store.

The company has also added other capabilities exclusively for subscription customers. Autodesk has had cloud-based services for more than a decade, through its Buzzsaw software-as-a-service offering, Tellerman said. But now, the company is pushing heavy desktop processes into the cloud. “The cloud right now is really focused on extending the design workflow for our customers,” Tellerman said.

Autodesk Cloud rendering allows Design Suite or Building Design Suite customers to render photorealistic visualizations in the cloud, aimed at reducing time.
“Rendering is generally one of those processes that … takes hours and hours to complete,” Tellerman said. By doing it in the cloud, workflow can continue without tying up hardware and the customer will receive an e-mail when rendering is complete.

The new cloud services also include a simulation tool, or Autodesk Inventor optimization for customers to simulate designs. For Autodesk Revit customers, the cloud offering includes a conceptual energy analysis stool. Autodesk Green Building Studio, a Web-based energy analysis software allows for energy analysis across multiple building design iterations.

“For channel partners, this doesn’t change their model at all,” she said. Rather, it enhances what a subscription service means, making it a stronger sell. “We’ve really enhanced what subscription actually means.”

Source:http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=64690

Clean technology company SunPods Inc. is using software from Autodesk, Inc. ADSK -1.25% to design and manufacture modular solar array units that help make solar power more accessible and affordable.

Unlike conventional customized ground-mounted solar arrays that require extensive onsite assembly and construction, SunPods (which stands for “Sun Power on Demand”) are configured and built in a factory before being delivered to virtually any site — a process that reduces installation time by up to 85 percent.

The combination of Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD software has helped SunPods to design and model its arrays without the need for physical prototypes or on-site testing. During the product development process, the company was able to test and evaluate 23 different digital prototypes. Additionally, Autodesk Showcase software enabled SunPods to more effectively demonstrate the innovative concept to customers by creating realistic animations placing the ideas in context.

“At SunPods, we want to provide sun power on demand,” said Michael Gumm, managing partner and cofounder of SunPods. “At every stage, Autodesk software has helped us turn that vision into a reality and speed up our progression from ‘good idea’ to great product.”

Faster Time to Market with Digital Prototyping

As a member of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program — which provides software to emerging clean tech companies in North America, Europe and Japan — SunPods gained access to a variety of Digital Prototyping tools to speed the development of its modular power unit. Autodesk reseller, KETIV Technologies, helped provide training and support to enable SunPods to more quickly implement Digital Prototyping into the design process.

Each of the pre-manufactured, self-contained units is capable of generating up to 3.82 kilowatts of power — enough for a small residence. Thanks to its modular design, multiple units can be connected to one another to scale energy needs to power larger projects.

The marketplace has embraced the company’s innovative ideas: SunPods have now been deployed for commercial, residential, educational and agricultural projects across the United States. A cluster of three SunPods generates 750 kilowatts per month for a private home in Hollister, Calif., for example, while a cluster of 25 SunPods generates 10,000 kilowatts per month for a high school in Presidio, Texas.

“Digital Prototyping makes it easier for young clean tech companies with limited resources to develop products that can have a profound impact on the world around us,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. “The work SunPods is doing is incredibly important and we’re glad Autodesk software can help play a role in making the transition to solar energy more financially accessible to more people.”

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sunpods-creates-solar-arrays-with-autodesk-software-2011-08-31