In 2015, the graphic was changed to put an Autodesk logo in the center, and now the newest version, shown in Figure 1, is product-less, which CIMdata agrees is a better message. While the Fusion branding has worked well for Autodesk, this graphic could be interpreted to leave out Autodesk Inventor, their flagship 3D mechanical computer-aided design (MCAD) product. Autodesk picked up on the product innovation platform definition that CIMdata and other leading market analyst firms proposed several years ago, with the first version of the graphic showing Fusion 360 at the center. This graphic is also interesting because of its evolution over the last few years. Effectively sharing this information and collaborating through the lifecycle puts their customers’ data at the center of their vision, as highlighted in Figure 1. When most people see the word “automation” they think factories populated by robots, but Autodesk is riffing on their work in generative design, looking to automation to help users explore design options early, choosing those that best meet the stated requirements to share with downstream stakeholders. Anagnost added a new emphasis on how automation is central to this vision. Better, in this case, refers to the opportunity for companies to improve how they work and to create enhanced products using the technologies Autodesk provides. Anagnost put a new spin, “The Opportunity of Better,” around their commitment to transforming the way people design and make things, a message that has been consistent from Autodesk for the last several years. Based on comments from Autodesk executives the company is now much younger than it was, with more than half the company filled with people with 5 years or fewer at Autodesk. Andrew Anagnost has seen Autodesk nearly complete their financial resurrection from the trough created by their 2016 move to subscription-based licensing.
Completing his first full year as CEO, Mr.
Autodesk also stated that thousands of others attended AU 2018 online.ĪU 2018 finds Autodesk a much different company than in previous years. Over 11,000 attendees could gorge on over 650 classes, many presentations, and other sessions. Autodesk sees the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) market as a huge manufacturing opportunity in the next 10 years.ĬIMdata had the pleasure to attend Autodesk University 2018 (AU 2018), held in Las Vegas, NV on November 12-15, 2018.“The future of making” is still central to their vision, with automation and augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) playing significant roles.Autodesk has just about completed their business model transition from perpetual licensing to subscription.