Survey shows payoff for software upgrade

An Autodesk product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 20, 2003

A recent independent research study and user survey found that key features in AutoCAD 2004 software can save the average user in a production environment between 3.3 and 4.5 hours per week per task.

A recent independent research study and user survey found that key features in AutoCAD 2004 software can save the average user in a production environment between 3.3 and 4.5 hours per week per task - a time saving of up to 14 hours per week or 35% of a 40-hour work week.

AutoCAD 2004 is Autodesk's 2D drafting, detailing and introductory 3D design tool for faster design creation and easier file sharing.

"The AutoCAD (2004) productivity research" was conducted by the Design Practice Group of the College of Environmental Design at the University of California, Berkeley, a team renowned for its research on the practice of architecture and design collaboration.

"The compelling results from the study prove our commitment to providing solutions that significantly improve our customers' productivity and ultimately help to build their business", said John Sanders, Vice President of Autodesk's Platform Technology Division.

"The surveyed users found that upgrading to AutoCAD 2004 provides new features that will save them time without disrupting their existing work practices through a steep learning curve.

Many customers who have upgraded to AutoCAD 2004 are already seeing the cost savings and the competitive edge these time savings bring to their business".

The time savings documented in the study were combined with survey data from a cross-section of 100 Autodesk customers performing the same tasks in a real work environment.

The results from both studies revealed that the evaluated features provide an easy transition to AutoCAD 2004 and can save the average user of AutoCAD 2004 software significant time on each designated task.

It also showed that CAD managers can make these new features even more effective to their teams by creating customised tool palettes for use in repetitive tasks routinely done in a production environment.

The Design Practice Group examined novice to experienced drafters and designers who use AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, or AutoCAD 2002 software 80 to 100% of their work day.

The users had no experience with the AutoCAD 2004 product.

Participants were monitored while completing a series of tasks designed to simulate the day-to-day production drafting environment and the time required to complete those tasks.

To complete the tasks, they used just three of the new AutoCAD 2004 product features, selected for having the greatest potential for enhancing day-to-day productivity: tool palettes for the editing, creation and deletion of blocks and hatch patterns; improved multiline text (mtext) editing for the creation and editing of notes in the body of a drawing; and external reference notification to alert users when another team member has modified a drawing.

One productivity study participant remarked: "I find the tool palettes to be a huge advantage.

I envision using these heavily upon upgrading to the next version of AutoCAD.

I feel they will be a major improvement in creating standardized drawings".

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