Autodesk Designs Rally On New Release.(A)

Byline: PATRICK SEITZ

Workers who do computer-aided design spend a lot of time waiting as they open and save their electronic drawings.

Autodesk Inc., the top maker of CAD software, looks to change that. It says the latest release of its core product, AutoCAD, offers faster speed and better performance.

The San Rafael, Calif., company is counting on upgrades to AutoCAD and related products to give its finances and stock a much-needed boost. But company executives and analysts are cautious about the impact of the AutoCAD refresh, given the weak economy.

Autodesk Chief Executive Carol Bartz expects 6% to 9% revenue growth this year thanks to the new product, which is due out this month. The sales rise "would be double that if we had a normal economy," she said. "This economic cycle is harder than anybody realized."

The company will reveal details of its AutoCAD 2004 family Monday. Autodesk is promoting the high return on investment of its products. But that's a challenge, Bartz says. Customers are hesitant to spend even if they'll get a big payback.

"The problem with ROI is, first you have to do the "I,"' Bartz said. "If you don't do the "I,' it doesn't matter what the "RO' is."