Autodesk 2013 Annual Report Download - page 85

GLOSSARY OF TERMS
BIM (Building Information Modeling)—BIM describes a model-based technology linked with a database of project
information, and is the process of generating and managing information throughout the life cycle of a building. BIM is used as a
digital representation of the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in digital formats.
Constant currency growth rates—We attempt to represent the changes in the underlying business operations by
eliminating fluctuations caused by changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as eliminating hedge gains or losses
recorded within the current and comparative period. Our constant currency methodology removes all hedging gains and losses
from the calculation.
Digital prototyping—Digital prototyping allows designers, architects and engineers to analyze, simulate and visualize a
design using a digital or virtual model rather than a physical model.
Flagship—Autodesk flagship products are our core design products. Flagship includes the following products: 3ds Max,
AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, AutoCAD vertical products (such as AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD Map and AutoCAD
Mechanical), Civil 3D, Maya, Plant 3D, and Revit products (standalone).
New and Adjacent—Autodesk new and adjacent products include Autodesk's new product offerings as well as products
that are not included in flagship or suites. New and adjacent includes the following services and products: Autodesk Alias
Design products, Autodesk Consulting, Autodesk Buzzsaw, Autodesk Constructware, Autodesk consumer products, Autodesk
Creative Finishing products, Autodesk Moldflow products, Autodesk Navisworks, Autodesk Simulation, Autodesk Vault
products, Autodesk 360 and all other products.
Suites—Autodesk design suites are a combination of products that target a specific user objective (product design,
building design, etc.) and support a set of workflows for that objective. Our new design and creation suites include: Autodesk
Design Suite, Autodesk Building Design Suite, Autodesk Educational/academic Suites, Autodesk Entertainment Creation Suite,
Autodesk Factory Design Suite, Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite, Autodesk Plant Design Suite, and Autodesk Product
Design Suite. Our previously established suites include: Autodesk Inventor family suites, Autodesk Revit family suites, and
education solutions suites.
Upgrade—Upgrades allow customers to pay an incremental fee at currently available prices toward the purchase of the
latest version of the same product. Upgrades are available only for licenses of software that are up to three versions prior to the
latest version available; an upgrade terminates the license to the previous version of the product. A similar exchange and
termination of a previous version of a product that is four versions prior to the latest version available is recorded as
commercial new revenue. Upgrades also includes crossgrades where a customer pays an incremental fee at currently available
prices toward the purchase of a different product. The license to the previous product is terminated.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
We operate in a rapidly changing environment that involves significant risks, a number of which are beyond our control. In
addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following discussion highlights some of these risks and the
possible impact of these factors on our business, financial condition and future results of operations. If any of the following risks
actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations may be adversely impacted, causing the trading price of
our common stock to decline. In addition, these risks and uncertainties may impact the “forward-looking” statements described
elsewhere in this Form 10-K and in the documents incorporated herein by reference. They could affect our actual results of
operations, causing them to differ materially from those expressed in “forward-looking” statements.
Global economic conditions may further impact our business, financial results and financial condition.
As our business has expanded globally, we have increasingly become subject to risks arising from adverse changes in
global economic and political conditions. The past several years have been characterized by weak global economic conditions,
a tightening in the credit markets, relatively high unemployment, a low level of liquidity in many financial markets, increased
government deficit spending and debt levels, uncertainty about certain governments' abilities to repay such debt or to address
certain fiscal issues (such as the “fiscal cliff” and “sequestration” in the United States), and volatility in many financial
instrument markets. There are a number of mixed indicators and it is not yet clear whether a sustainable recovery is occurring
or a renewed slow-down is taking place.
13
2013 Annual Report