Spatial and the Rapid Prototyping Directory Announce Internet Alliance
12 April 2000
Spatial and the Rapid Prototyping Directory Announce Internet Alliance
ROSEMONT, Ill.--April 12, 2000--Exclusive Web Relationship Empowers Online Communication Between
Manufacturers and Rapid Prototyping Suppliers at Bits2Parts.com
Spatial Inc. , the world's leading developer of Web-based business-to-business (b2b) interoperability solutions and open, component 3D modeling technology, and CAD/CAM Publishing, publisher of the Rapid Prototyping Directory, today announced a major Internet alliance.
Spatial's PlanetCAD(tm) division will be the exclusive publisher of the World Wide Web version of the Rapid Prototyping Directory, the world's leading and most up-to-date supplier directory for the rapid prototyping (RP) industry. The directory will be included as a searchable Web version of the Rapid Prototyping Directory as part of PlanetCAD's new Bits2Parts.com(tm) Web application service. Bits2Parts.com (www.bits2parts.com) will allow manufacturers and service bureaus to quickly and easily exchange Request For Quotation (RFQ) and bid information for rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and rapid manufacturing services.
"Bits2Parts.com smoothes the flow of RFQ and bid information between manufacturers and service bureaus, reducing miscommunication and speeding up turnaround time," commented Isaac Kato, vice president and general manager, PlanetCAD division, Spatial Inc. "The Rapid Prototyping Directory is the industry's preeminent source of supplier information and by offering it as a searchable Web directory, we give manufacturers the ability to quickly locate vendor information, while giving service bureaus unprecedented exposure to their customers. The inclusion of the Rapid Prototyping Directory into Bits2Parts.com enhances the service's functionality immensely."
The Rapid Prototyping Directory has been published by CAD/CAM Publishing of San Diego since 1991 and is regarded as one of the foremost print resources for the worldwide rapid prototyping industry. As a result of the exclusive relationship with Spatial, the directory will be established online for members at Bits2Parts.com. "Publishing across the Web allows us to provide up-to-the-minute information, and readers will benefit from the immediacy of accurate data," said Geoff Smith-Moritz, editor of the Rapid Prototyping Report and the Rapid Prototyping Directory. "We welcome the opportunity to be allied with Spatial in this interesting enterprise."
The Rapid Prototyping Directory will be available online during May 2000. CAD/CAM Publishing will continue to manage the directory to ensure all data is current and valid. It will be available online to all visitors at Bits2Parts.com. Currently Bits2Parts.com is undergoing closed beta testing. Open beta testing will be available in May 2000, however, all participants in the rapid prototyping industry are encouraged to join the beta testing by sending an e-mail to support@bits2parts.com.
About Spatial Inc.
Spatial is the world's leading provider of Web-based, business-to-business (b2b) interoperability services and 3D solid modeling software, which sets global standards for product engineers, designers, software developers and manufacturing professionals. Spatial is headquartered in Boulder, Colo., USA, and has offices in California, Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Spatial's Web site at http://www.spatial.com or call (303) 544-2900.
Spatial's 3Dshare.com(tm) (http://www.3dshare.com), the successor to 3Dmodelserver.com(tm), provides Web-based translation and healing of 3D CAD models, enabling rapid sharing of 3D engineering data across design and manufacturing firms and their clientele, regardless of their installed CAD systems. Bits2Parts.com(tm) streamlines the consistent communication of information between Manufacturers and Rapid Prototyping service bureaus to ensure smooth business processes and transmission of product prototype data. Spatial's ACIS(R) 3D modeling kernel is the de facto 3D solid modeling standard, which dominates the CAD/CAM/CAE market worldwide. ACIS has been adopted by more than 550 licensees and is the foundation of over 210 applications used by over 1.5 million engineers and designers worldwide. Licensees and partners include Autodesk Inc., Ashlar Incorporated, Alias|Wavefront and Alibre Inc. Spatial's IntraVISION(R) viewing solutions provide intuitive viewing, markup, measurement and conversion of all major 2D and 3D product design data across project teams, engineering organizations and with business partners. The combination of products and services developed by Spatial allows licensees and end users to capitalize on the improved integrity, advanced interoperability and rapid distribution of their design data, dramatically improving time to market and product development cycles across the digital manufacturing supply chain.
Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement, and any projections related to 3Dshare.com and PlanetCAD.com may be significantly different than those predicted by the company. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking information. A description of risks and uncertainties attendant to Spatial Technology Inc. and its industry, and other factors which could affect the company's financial results, are included in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including but not limited to, the company's annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Spatial Technology Inc., ACIS 3D Toolkit, 3Dshare.com, Bits2Parts.com, SAT and PlanetCAD are trademarks. ACIS and IntraVISION are registered trademarks of Spatial Technology Inc. All other products are trademarks of their respective owners.