News

D-Tools Automates AutoCAD Functionality in System Integrator Software (1/6/2006)

Stand K2, CEDIA UK Expo 2006

Middle Atlantic Products leads manufacturer community in embracing new data-driven project design and management capabilities

D-Tools, Inc., the worldwide leader in system integration software, today announced enhanced AutoCAD functionality in D-Tools' award-winning System Integrator software. Dynamically linking the equipment lists with a data-driven D-Tools project file to the corresponding drawings native in AutoCAD is now a reality. Leveraging the new capabilities with AutoCAD 2006, D-Tools users can work directly in AutoCAD to automate the creation of AutoCAD blocks for elevation, plan, functional, and schematic drawings for inclusion in D-Tools System Integrator project files.

Middle Atlantic Products, leading manufacturer of engineered mounting solutions is the first manufacturer to embrace this new functionality. Dimensionally correct Middle Atlantic Products rack blocks - tied to detailed product data - can now be easily created by D-Tools users native within AutoCAD. These blocks re-size themselves to scale based on the number of rack spaces or the actual height, width, and depth dimensions of each specific Middle Atlantic Products rack model - automating the design process and reducing time and costs. "We have a long standing partnership with D-Tools and we're excited by this technological leap in functionality," said Mark Tracy, Director of Marketing for Middle Atlantic Products. "This represents a significant time savings for AutoCAD designers and enables system engineers to easily specify the right Middle Atlantic product for their commercial projects."

D-Tools System Integrator 4.5 (SI 4.5) enables systems integrators and custom installation professionals to create detailed projects managed with automated proposals, scheduling, pick lists, purchase orders, drawings and additional documents that streamline the integrated installation of audio and video products. By using a single, shared project file, system integrators and custom installers can download free product information from D-Tools' comprehensive database of tens of thousands of products and their accessories, giving them the distinct advantage of designing systems using the most current product information, while saving hours of product research time.

SI 4.5 is a comprehensive server-based solution that allows system engineers to leverage the power of AutoCAD or the ease-of-use of Visio, or both to design detailed plan, elevation, and functional drawings that are tied directly to the equipment list of manufacturer product data. This integrated approach allows organizations to track, manage, synchronize and communicate critical project information to everyone involved.

"Automating the way blocks are created in AutoCAD is a breakthrough that will have a dramatic impact on our customers' bottom line," said Adam Stone, President and CEO of D-Tools. "Leveraging this new functionality will give commercial system integration professionals even more flexibility in the way they design and manage their systems - better enabling them to deliver exceptional value to their clients and contribute to our continued growth in the commercial market."

www.d-tools.com