MapGuide Enterprise 2008 and Topobase 2008

Autodesk, Inc. (CA, USA) has unveiled Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008 and Autodesk Topobase 2008 software products, two platforms to share location, design and enterprise information across departments.

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008 builds on Autodesk's support for open source software to help public agencies, utilities and telecommunications customers extend the reach and value of geospatial information and knowledge through their organisations and beyond. As a central component of the Autodesk geospatial solution, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software utilises the Internet to deliver important, up-to-date asset and infrastructure information to the people who need it. Additionally, Topobase 2008-including a new customised module for the gas industry-incorporates the latest Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise and AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 software capabilities to help utilities' planning, engineering and operations personnel make better decisions based on a holistic understanding of their infrastructure assets.

Valuable contributions from the open source community reflected market need and fostered many innovations within Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008. The software improves enterprise users' ability to integrate design and spatial data from a variety of sources, develop new geospatial applications and distribute maps and spatial data faster and more easily through dynamic Web pages or in the form of detail-rich, highly accurate and compact DWF files. New and improved functionality makes Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008 a powerful development solution, while gains in performance, stability and interoperability deliver a stronger and more dynamic user experience.

Autodesk Topobase 2008 software incorporates all of the functionality of Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008 and AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 products, as well as Oracle Spatial database technology, for unparalleled performance, scalability, reliability and security. Topobase software brings together design, spatial and enterprise data and bridges the communication gaps that separate people from the knowledge and insight they need to design, build and service infrastructure assets more effectively

Topobase 2008 offers additional features that take advantage of the Web for project workflow management, job creation and editing, and visibility into existing infrastructure and new projects. With the 2008 updates to the Topobase Web component, remote users, such as customer service agents, managers, field operations and external contractors, can securely access asset information to make better decisions and improve operational effectiveness.

In conjunction with Topobase 2008, Autodesk introduced a new module developed expressly to address the needs of gas utility operators. The module includes data models, workflows and business rules that reflect the gas industry's unique regulatory and local standards. Because the software is tailored to industry-specific requirements, customers can streamline set-up and implementation without expensive customization, which may result in a faster return on investment. Companies may also turn to Autodesk Consulting to accelerate deployment, integration and implementation of best practices.

Water and wastewater service operators already are measuring the impact of an industry-specific Topobase module. To keep pace with growth and demand for services, organisations need to be able to use up-to-date information that is often trapped in linear business processes. The Topobase solution can serve as a centralised platform for up-to-date network topology and greater consistency and efficiency in operations.

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2008 is now available in English. German, Japanese, French and Italian versions will be released in the near future. Autodesk Topobase 2008 will be available in English later this month and in German, Italian and French shortly thereafter.