DataCAD® 8.5 for Windows® 95/98/NT® Debuts at A/E/C Systems '99

Latest Release of Second Most Widely Used Software by Registered Architects Features OpenDWG™ Technology Giving A/E/C Professionals Independence from Drawing File Format

Los Angeles - A/E/C SYSTEMS '99 - May 24, 1999 - DATACAD LLC debuts DataCAD® 8.5 for Windows 95/98/NT®, the latest version of its award-winning architectural CADD software at the A/E/C Systems '99 trade show. Key features such as an all new DXF/DWG translator, Digital Terrain Modeler (DTM), expanded 3D object libraries, improved display performance, and WinHelp 2000-based online documentation should broaden DataCAD's appeal beyond its core market of 250,000 architectural users to include a wider audience of A/E/C professionals.

This is the first version of DataCAD to utilize OpenDWG technology (http://www.opendwg.org). DATACAD LLC is a founding member of the OpenDWG Alliance, which is committed to making the DWG drawing file format an open, industry-standard format. According to Michael Smith of William Mitropoulos Associates, Boston, "DataCAD 8.5 allows me to provide my consultants with drawings that are 100% DWG compatible. My structural engineer was delighted to find that even my custom linetypes display and print just as they do in DataCAD. Removing the DWG compatibility issue allows us to choose the software that is most appropriate for our practice."

"The proprietary DWG format has dominated the A/E/C market for years. Many firms and government agencies require electronic drawing submissions in DWG format," said Mark Madura, President and CEO of DATACAD LLC. "DataCAD's support of the DWG file format, and the efforts of the OpenDWG Alliance to make DWG an open standard are significant because it gives A/E/C professionals the freedom to choose software based on its merits, rather than its drawing file format. DataCAD 8's enhanced DWG compatibility, combined with a price that is less than 20% the cost of AutoCAD, will make DataCAD 8.5 very attractive to a broad range of AEC firms."

Pricing
DataCAD 8.5 retails for $995 USD, with a promotional price of $695 USD good through August 31, 1999. Additional licenses are $395 USD each, and upgrades from DataCAD 8 for Windows are $195 USD. All prices good for United State distribution only. DataCAD products are available through authorized dealers worldwide, or directly from DATACAD LLC. For the name of the dealer nearest you, please call (800) 394-2231 or (860) 677-4004 outside the U.S., or access the "Support" section of DATACAD LLC's Web page at http://www.datacad.com.

About DATACAD LLC
DATACAD LLC is an independent, privately held company that provides robust computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) solutions to architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) firms. With more than 250,000 installations worldwide, DataCAD is now listed as the second most widely used software by architects according to the most recent American Institute of Architects (AIA) firm survey.