Autodesk Launches European Mobile Location-Based Services Developer Program at 3GSM Conference
Program links developers with tier-one wireless carriers and services to speed development of innovative LBS applications for wireless subscribers
3GSM 2006 Conference, Barcelona, Spain — February 13, 2006 — Autodesk Inc., (NASDAQ: ADSK), today announced its Autodesk European Location Services Developer Program. This location-based services (LBS) program provides European developers with the resources and support needed to rapidly bring LBS applications and services to market. The LBS market is estimated to reach $200 million EUR by 2007, according to Frost and Sullivan, and wireless carriers around the world are location-enabling their networks to facilitate worldwide demand for LBS services such as social networking, gaming, personal navigation and directions.
Modeled on its successful U.S. program, this new program helps developers create LBS services using Autodesk’s open standards platform to market their applications worldwide. Autodesk works with the most successful wireless carries in the world; including three of the five tier-one wireless providers in the United States.
Additionally, the program offers a solid geo-services and location privacy management platform architecture, a standards-based application programming interface (API) for the Web and handsets, as well as technical documentation and support. Autodesk plans to foster location-based developer discussions, blogs, events and discussion groups for the community on an ongoing basis. The European program was created with developers’ needs in mind by utilising feedback from Autodesk’s Developer Council, a selected group of LBS developers devoted to guiding and informing Autodesk about the tools needed to bring commercially successful applications to market.
TikGames, an LBS gaming company, is an early member of the developer program. The company is a semifinalist in the EU Navteq Challenge, a contest for companies paving the way for solutions that enhance a mobile lifestyle. “We joined the Autodesk program, after conducting competitive research and determining that their coverage, physical maps and associated data were stronger and visually superior to those of other companies,” said Alex Tikhman, Founder of TikGames. “Their platform is amazing to work with; our ability to access their maps and cutting-edge technology empowers us to quickly develop sophisticated, new games. Their program helped us gain marketing exposure for GeoUniverse, our wireless game facilitating a real world treasure hunt, to market.”
Specific Aspects of the Developer Program Include:
• Free Connectivity to Hosted LocationLogic LBS Platform: In order to minimise the risk, cost and speed at which applications are built, Autodesk’s LBS platform enables the creation of services for commercial deployment, which easily integrate with, and link to, many of the world’s most successful network carriers.
• Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): Standards-based APIs make it easy for developers to rapidly build and customise services for deployment without the up-front and ongoing costs of maintaining a separate server-side LBS infrastructure.
• Software Development Kit (SDK): This kit provides developers with the building blocks, sample code and documentation needed for the development process.
• Dedicated Support Services: Developers can take advantage of technical and business oriented support and aid to bring their services to market.
• A Network of Carrier Relationships: Autodesk provides marketing and technical support to introduce selected developers to tier-one carriers and their broad base of network subscribers. Autodesk acts as the trusted advisor for new applications.
• Suite of Geospatial Services: Includes routing and directions, device location determination, content management, mobile user and object tracking, mapping, visualisation and navigation, and custom weather features, etc.
“People do not buy technology, they buy ‘make-my-life-easier’ solutions, which LBS services like ‘personal navigation’ or ‘family minder’ provide,” said Brent Iadarola, Frost & Sullivan industry research manager. “We see a large market opportunity around LBS enterprise applications. The ability for small to medium-sized businesses to access low-cost, sophisticated technology to track, guide and communicate with field staff to optimise or re-allocate resources, saves them time, money and angst. The Autodesk Location Services Developer Program, with the LocationLogic LBS platform, provides the tools and support to expedite the creation of LBS applications for wireless operators worldwide.”
How to Register
Developers can register for the LBS program at www.autodesk.com/locationservices/partners/developerprogram.cfm. Autodesk is committed to working with experienced developers to deliver compelling location based applications and services to this emerging market. Autodesk is an exhibitor at the 3GSM 2006 Conference. Visit the booth (D28-29) to meet representatives and developers on hand to discuss the program and how location services can help drive revenue and value for carriers and developers alike.
