Autodesk is #65 on Business Week's list of Top 100 information technology companies. Only possible competitor, Adobe, is at #98. (Siemens is at #34, but didn't own UGS at the time. Google is #19, but I think we've agreed it's not a CAD software company.)
The list was restricted to:
* Publicly-traded companies - leaves out the Intergraphs and UGSs.
* Revenues over $300 million.
* Stock price fell less than 75% from last year.
* Sales grew.
Makes me wonder where Dassault Systemes was pegged. The remaining 100 firms were ranked according to:
1. Return on equity.
2. Shareholder return.
3. Revenue growth.
4. Total revenues.
So, being a "Top 100" firm has nothing to do with how good a company's service or product are -- things that customers directly care about.
I suspect there is no accolade we could attain that would meet your standards. You seem to draw your clout by raining on our parade at every opportunity. You seek the cloud to obscure any silver lining. All I know is we work with customers and get feedback from Autodesk Labs, My Feedback at Autodesk, customer gold programs, etc. Customers are heavily involved with our development processes to make sure we can deliver upon the things customers directly care about. Our software is popular enough that we can't be all things to all people, but we do a pretty darn good job.
Posted by: Scott Sheppard | Jun 22, 2007 at 02:06 PM
Scott:
Um...
This is a blog posting that reports that Autodesk is good enough to be one of the top 100 firms selected by Business Week magazine.
I note that no other competitor was good enough to make the list.
I point out what I think are flaws in the methodology by Business Week's staff.
For me, right now I am busy working on updating "Tailoring AutoCAD Rendering" for AutoCAD 2008, an e-book that'll be well over 200 pages. I produce three monthly e-newsletters for one Autodesk's largest dealers. I have written several dozen books strictly about AutoCAD.
And you complain that I only ever rain on Autodesk's parade. I forgive you.
Posted by: ralphg | Jun 22, 2007 at 02:33 PM
I am not trying to pick a fight. I am only mentioning that there is a David vs. Goliath scenario in place. You did positively review the 3D wheels in Autodesk Design Review.
Posted by: Scott Sheppard | Jun 23, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Scott,
I must admit that is a high standard but
what is wrong with that!
It is not all about customer feedback!
Some of it has to do with Corporate Responsibility.
Have you noticed the feeding frenze lately. Perhaps you are
a beneficiary!
When a company is drained of all of its
resources by options others begin to wonder
where the company is headed!
Posted by: Gary Dary | Jun 25, 2007 at 08:06 AM