On 18 October, Autodesk, the giant maker of software for architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment, announced the opening of a regional sales hub in Jordan. EMEA Vice President of Autodesk Roland Zelles was on hand to comment on the announcement.

Can you give us some background on what Autodesk does as a company?

Autodesk makes software for people who make things. If you’ve ever driven a high-performance car, admired a towering skyscraper, used a smartphone, or watched a great film, chances are you’ve experienced what millions of Autodesk customers are doing with our software.

Autodesk helps people imagine, design and create a better world. Everyone—from design professionals, engineers and architects to digital artists, students and hobbyists—uses Autodesk software to unlock their creativity and solve important challenges. For more than 30 years, Autodesk software has helped designers, architects, engineers, visual artists, students and makers to create everything from buildings and bridges to cars and other physical products to movies and video games.

Today, we are on the brink of the biggest change in how we make things since the industrial revolution, introducing everything from new technology to changes in culture, and attitudes. Advances in accessible 3D design and fabrication technology are disrupting the design, engineering and entertainment professions as we know them.

As a result, Autodesk is expanding beyond our design roots and applying our industry insights to usher in a new era of making things.  Millions of people use Autodesk software like AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, Maya, 3ds Max, Fusion 360, SketchBook, Pixlr and more to unlock their creativity and solve important design, business, environmental and societal challenges. Our software runs on both personal computers and mobile devices and taps the infinite computing power of the cloud to help teams around the world collaborate, design, simulate and fabricate their ideas in 3D.

To help our customers prepare for this new era of design, Autodesk is once again serving as a pioneer and the disruptor. We’re developing a robust portfolio of tools to help people design, make and use things to thrive in this new era. These tools are designed to be accessible, easy to use and powerful.

How is the launch of the sales hub in Jordan important to Autodesk’s business?

The expansion to new markets like Jordan and beyond, will provide us with increased access to consumers and an opportunity for more people to use our products to build an improved world. Autodesk works toward connecting with a larger customer base. With the new sales hub, we renew our dedicated commitment to investing in our elevated ability to satisfy and meet the ever-growing needs of our customers.

Where does the new sales hub fall within your vision for the future of Autodesk?

Today’s market is experiencing radical changes in the way things are designed, made and used. With the right knowledge and tools, this disruption can become an opportunity. Autodesk’s vision is to enable people to imagine, design and build a better world. Opening a sales hub in Jordan gives us an excellent opportunity to inspire more people to create.

Why did Autodesk choose Jordan to be the location for the new sales hub?

Ease of business in Jordan and expertise of the local workforce made Jordan an excellent place to open a sales hub.

Do you think the strategic partnership between Autodesk and Sanad Company will attract more business to Jordan?

The strategic relationship with Sanad Company speaks to our shared dedication to making design-related business more efficient, effective and productive for all involved. Our goal is to help design, manufacturing, AEC, and media and entertainment enthusiasts to imagine, design, and build things in Jordan and around the world.

How did the collaboration between Autodesk and Sanad Company begin, and what are the specific benefits of this collaboration?

We have been looking for a local company to operate our sales hub covering the Middle East, Africa and Turkey, and Sanad was our choice due to their competence in the market. The relationship will evolve based on the success of the current hub.

How will this strategic partnership benefit Autodesk clients in Jordan and in the rest of the region?

One of the main goals of opening a sales hub in Jordan is to provide a vast number of creative industries in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey with the right knowledge and tools that can essentially change the way they do their business.

Do you have any future plans for the expansion of Autodesk? If so, what do they involve, and which markets do you think you will tackle next?

The reason Autodesk opened a sales hub in Jordan is to expand into new markets and boost sales in existing ones. Based on the results of current hub, we will review the opportunity of expanding further.