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On August 20, 1992, Autodesk announced that it was divesting itself of the Information Systems Division, returning its equity share in Xanadu and AMIX to those respective companies, and terminating its support of their development efforts. This was the first step in focusing the efforts of Autodesk onto the CAD market.
The following information was announced today, Thursday, August 20, at 1:20 p.m. PDT:
Contact:
Jackie Rae
Vice President Corporate Marketing
AUTODESK HANDS OVER CONTROL OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS DIVISION
August 20, 1992—Sausalito, CA.—Autodesk, Inc. announced today that it will divest itself of two companies that make up its Information Systems Division. The two companies are the American Information Exchange (AMIX) and Xanadu Operating Company.
“The new management team has carefully looked at what Autodesk's business model should be,” said Carol Bartz, president, CEO and Chairman of Autodesk. “Both AMIX and Xanadu are important companies with exciting futures, but they do not fit into Autodesk's core business. We wish them the best in their new endeavors and will work with them during a brief transition.”
AMIX operates the world's first electronic, online marketplace where customers can buy or sell digitally stored information: software components and tools, documents and scripts, market research and industry analysis, multimedia applications and the like. Additionally, AMIX provides a complete mechanism that allows customers to consult with each other online.
Xanadu is a hypermedia information server. With an array of information management tools that includes links, version management, detectors, endorsements, and access control, Xanadu makes the ideal underpinning upon which to build collaborative and groupware applications.
Autodesk, Inc. develops, markets and supports a family of computer-aided design, engineering, multimedia, and scientific software products for desktop computers and workstations. Autodesk shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol of ACAD(TM).
The following information was announced today, Thursday, August 20, at 1:20 p.m. PDT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jamie Dinkelacker
AMIX
AMIX ANNOUNCES INDEPENDENT CORPORATE STATUS
August 20, 1992—Mountain View, CA.—The American Information Exchange (AMIX) announced today has spun off from Autodesk, Inc., and formally establish itself as an independent company.
“Autodesk has been a mentor to AMIX for the last four years,” said Dana Timbrook, president of AMIX. “Not only have they committed significant resources to the company, but they also provided pivotal guidance and feedback as we developed our online information service and studied the market. Now, with the opening of our first marketplace to the public, we feel we are ready to stand on our own.
“A number of strategic companies and individuals are interested in investing in AMIX and our next challenge is to close a new round of funding and continue our market development activities,” Timbrook added. “We see the company's future as very bright and are excited to be moving into another growth phase.
“The new Autodesk management team is focusing very carefully on what the company's business model should be over the next decade,” said Carol Bartz, president, CEO and Chairman of Autodesk. “AMIX simply doesn't fit into our fundamental business and this is the basis for our decision to step away.
However, AMIX is a groundbreaking company with much to offer the marketplace. We wish them well as they move into the next phase of their corporate development.”
AMIX operates the world's first electronic, online marketplace, where customers can buy or sell digitally stored information: software components and tools, documents and scripts, market research and industry analysis, multimedia applications and the like. Additionally, AMIX provides a complete mechanism that allows customers to conduct consulting with each other online. AMIX handles all accounting and billing functions and has binding arbitration to resolve any possible disputes.
AMIX, now as an independent, private company, recently opened for business with the public and will focus its initial marketing efforts on the software tools and developer communities before expanding into other information marketplaces. AMIX has received interest from the public, tradeshow attendees and the investment community.
AMIX is located at 1881 Landings Drive in Mountain View, CA., and inquiries should be directed to 415-903-1000.
Autodesk Inc. develops, markets and supports a family of computer-aided design engineering, multimedia, and scientific software products for desktop computers and workstations. Autodesk shares are traded on NASDAQ under the symbol of ACAD(TM).
Employee Addendum to AMIX and Xanadu Press Release
As the attached press release states, Autodesk has officially given notice that it will sever it ties to AMIX and Xanadu at the end of 30 days. This is being done for a fundamental reason. In developing our strategy for the future we determined that we want to commit our resources exclusively to programs that strengthen our core business. While both AMIX and Xanadu are doing important work, they simply do not fit into Autodesk's core strategy and the management team feels we should devote these resources to future strategic opportunities.
Autodesk is providing both companies with a period of transition
in which to locate other funding and move forward with their business
plans. And Mark Stiegler, who is an Autodesk employee, has chosen to
leave Autodesk and officially join AMIX and Xanadu. Our discussions
with both companies, however, indicate that they believe they have
real funding sources ready to step forward and plan to continue as
independent companies in the future.![[Footnote]](i/footnote.png){kind=small}
I want to assure you that this was done with the utmost sensitivity to each company's particular needs and they responded with appreciation to Autodesk's concern and commitment. I believe, and both management teams from AMIX and Xanadu told me, that they looked upon Autodesk as a mentor over the last four years and understand the business reasons behind today's decision.
If you have concerns or questions about this news, please bring them to the employee meeting on 8/31. I will be happy to address any outstanding issues in that forum. Thank you.
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