Microsoft Provides Windows CE Development Tools to Autodesk Development Network

January 24 – Autodesk, Inc. completed an arrangement with Microsoft Corp. to distribute more than 5000 copies of the Microsoft eMbedded Visual Tools to Autodesk Development Network (ADN) members worldwide. The program will help to significantly increase the number of business applications developed for use on mobile computing platforms. These applications will advance the distribution of design data throughout a business value chain that includes contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers or building owners, facilitating faster, more accurate business decisions. The Autodesk third-party developers now have industry-standard programming tools at their disposal, to quickly develop design software applications that move design information beyond engineering departments to mobile platforms at the point-of-need. The total value of the development tools distributed exceeds U.S. $40,000.

The Autodesk Development Network is a model for success among third-party development groups. With more than 3000 members worldwide, ADN serves more than one million Autodesk customers with add-on applications for Autodesk software. This growing network will now be able to leverage industry-standard Visual Basic and Visual C++ programming tools to create mobile business computing tools.

This sounds like a huge deal. The interesting question will be whether the same contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers and building owners who are ambivalent towards technologies that already serve to advance the distribution of design data throughout the business value chain will now find themselves exploring these options because of the convenience and novelty of PDAs.

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