Technology Main Stage

Jim Meyer - who works closely with AU sponsors - thought many of you might be interested in the below:

If you missed the Technology Main Stage at AU, you missed a glimpse into a really powerful future – one that will alter (for the better) the way we work sooner that we realize. Autodesk has been working for eons (it seems) with technology innovators Microsoft and HP, so I expected to be somewhat underwhelmed. Wow, was I wrong. This year’s peek at what’s just around the corner made me – and the standing room only crowd of more than 1000 of my AU friends — sit up and take notice.

It’s clear that our friends from Redmond have been working hard on the design office of the future. The manufacturing scenario demo showing deep search capabilities of the Office 2007 tools and Wimdows Vista was phenomenal – those capabilities are fast, easy to use, to return unambiguous results informing “My Site”. But most importantly they’re helpful! All on the sleek new Windows Vista GUI.

The Project Server demo built around Virtual Earth was really hot – and what’s not to like? It’s about time we’re using “the world” as a virtual data storage matrix. Data drilling to the nth degree. Intuitive and fun, but natural to use and leveraging the context in which the data resides. I loved it.

HP is really leading the way with their new quad-core technology and remote graphics – and they’re are addressing your three biggest problems – model size (including every note or associated attachment), the graphics “explosion” and the need for power, power, power. And HP’s remote graphics technology lets you reach into your worlstaion from wherever you are. The new HP Z2100 large format printer is right in line the continued print evolution you’ve come to expect from HP. Remote printing, down-stream printing and impressive rendering. Of course, awesome color – just what you need to help your customers visualize your work.

You still have time to see some of these developments – either in the Microsoft or HP booths in the Exhibit Hall. Better yet, come by the AU Tech Labs and play with this new technology.