Microsoft and Autodesk broaden alliance for productivity

Autodesk and Microsoft have expanded their alliance with the goal of enabling users to more easily create, manage and share design data throughout project and product lifecycle processes. The pair say they have completed the first phase of developmet, which means availability of new Autodesk DWF (Design Web Format) functionality to allow users to integrate design information from Autodesk applications with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains and Axapta ERP systems, now part of Microsoft Dynamics. They have also agreed to align their technologies, including expanding Microsoft support for DWF and plans for Autodesk to support Microsoft XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language). “Microsoft and Autodesk are removing obstacles that prevent people from working together,” says Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “We recognise the important role Autodesk DWF technology plays in accelerating project workflows of many of our manufacturing, construction and engineering customers. “By working with Autodesk, we’re connecting critical information across the enterprise and entire supply chains, and enabling our joint customers to become more competitive.” As part of the expanded alliance, customers will be able to search and retrieve DWF-based information, such as manufacturing product specifications, posted on the Internet using MSN Search. This will finally make it easier for project teams to share and find design specifications etc via the web, with security. With the new version of Autodesk DWF Writer software, users can also take advantage of the one-click publishing in Microsoft Office to create and share 2D and 3D design content. They will also be able to share drawings, maps and models within Microsoft Office using drag and drop of DWF files into the application window – with preview, search, print and email of DWF files from Windows Explorer. “The expanded alliance with Microsoft ensures that customers have the right data at the right time,” says Carol Bartz, chairman and CEO, Autodesk. “Our research shows that design content typically impacts 10 or more members of the project team and it often reaches them through Microsoft applications. By adding XAML support to DWF, Microsoft users with PCs running the Windows Presentation Foundation will have the ability to universally view design-related data as well as manage and share complex 3D design content more easily with downstream, non-CAD users.”