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January 2001
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Autodesk acquires Gentry Systems
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 24 -- Autodesk, Inc.
today announced it has completed the acquisition of Gentry Systems, a leading
supplier of specialized software tools and services to over 300 companies in
11 countries in the electric utility industry. The acquisition gives Autodesk
industry-specific design functionality and services helping it extend its
vision of a comprehensive asset management/facility management/geographic
information system enterprise solution to the electric utility market.
Combined with the recently announced Autodesk GIS Design, electric utility companies will have a
powerful solution for designing networks and integrating their GIS data and
systems at the enterprise decision support level. The result is reduced costs,
streamlined operational efficiency and increased competitiveness.
Electric utility companies are facing increasing pressures from a variety
of directions including tighter customer service regulations, increasing
demand and growing competition. They need technology to help them maximize the
value of their GIS data across the entire enterprise and supply chain in order
to provide essential services to their customers.
By acquiring Gentry Systems, Autodesk gains important front-end design
capabilities specific to the electric utilities industry including job
estimating, electric network design calculations, physical design calculations
and more. Combining these capabilities with Autodesk GIS Design Server,
AutoCAD Map(R), Autodesk MapGuide(R) and Autodesk OnSite(R), enables Autodesk
to deliver the only end-to-end solution for meeting challenges specific to the
electric utility industry.
"Our utility customers have told us that to meet increasing market
pressures, they need to maximize the value of their GIS data with stronger
tools -- improving efficiency and making the data immediately available to the
business user regardless of what system is used or where it is located," said
John Sanders, executive vice president, Design Solutions at Autodesk.
"Acquiring Gentry gives us important front-end capabilities that when combined
with the recently announced Autodesk GIS Design Server, presents an unmatched
solution in the utility marketplace."
"The electric utility market has seen some dramatic changes over the last
few years that has made integration of tools, data and technology a critical
element for success," said Hal Gentry, CEO at Gentry Systems. "This
acquisition gives not only our existing customers, but the broader market as
well, a wider range of better integrated AM/FM/GIS technology for solving some
very challenging problems in the utility market."
Terms of the Acquisition
The acquisition, structured as a stock swap, was completed on January 12
and is not material to Autodesk's financial results. Gentry Systems will
become part of the GIS division at Autodesk and will continue to operate out
of its St. Louis, Missouri facility. Autodesk will continue to support Gentry
Systems' customers, their projects and the Gentry technology will be
integrated with Autodesk's GIS solutions.
About Autodesk
Autodesk is the world's leading design and digital content creation
resource. The company provides software and Internet portal services to help
customers drive business through the power of design. One of the largest
software companies in the world, Autodesk helps more than four million
customers in over 150 countries turn designs into reality.
For more information, visit http://www.autodesk.com
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