August 20, 2008 - Autodesk signed a definitive agreement with Mensch und Maschine Deutschland GmbH, a member of the Mensch und Maschine group, to acquire substantially all of the assets -- including the ECSCAD product line -- of Elektro-CAE-Software GmbH (ECS), a premier solution provider of electrical computer-aided design (CAD) software. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.The agreement shows Autodesk's commitment to creating the most comprehensive and versatile electrical CAD software offering in the market, and is expected to expand the reach of Autodesk electrical CAD solutions to industry segments in the European marketplace that rely on database-driven methods for their designs.
The acquisition complements AutoCAD Electrical software, which is used to quickly create accurate schematic-based design. As both product lines are built on the AutoCAD platform, Autodesk will be positioned to enhance functionality and performance for both ECSCAD and AutoCAD Electrical customers, and create even more powerful tools for electrical controls design. The transaction is expected to close in Q3 of Autodesk's fiscal year and is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals." Autodesk can better serve electrical controls designers in Europe by offering the best solution for even the largest-scale projects," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions senior vice president.
"The addition of ECS technologies enhances the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping and helps a larger audience to create complete digital prototypes that integrate both mechanical and electrical designs."" Extending Autodesk electrical CAD capabilities with Elektro-CAE-Software solutions opens the door to new and enhanced workflows currently unavailable from either drawing-centric or database-driven electrical CAD software alone," said Guenter Manz, Managing Director, Elektro-CAE-Software. "Together, ECS and Autodesk solutions will give controls designers the ability to choose the tools and methods that best fit their design requirements."
About Mensch und Maschine Software
Mensch und Maschine Software SE (M+M) is a leading European supplier of Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software with locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, UK, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, Romania, USA, Japan and APAC. M+M's diversified product range includes CAD/CAM solutions in different price / performance areas for key industries (e.g. mechanical and electrical engineering, architecture, geography). The company was founded in 1984 and is headquartered in Wessling near Munich.
In 2007, group sales of EUR 212.9 million were achieved with 327 employees. M+M is listed on the Prime Segment of Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
About Elektro-CAE-Software
ECS was founded in 1993 and is located in Donzdorf next to Stuttgart. ECS is one of the leading suppliers for databases oriented ECAD systems. The main focus of ECS is historically the mechanical engineering market but recently the number of users of energy suppliers and plant construction companies are growing. These customers use ecscad for electrical engineering and development of larger plants and benefit from the database oriented online multiuser concept of ecscad.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art digital prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation.