1st in a series of interviews with important people in the CAD, CAM and CAE industry. Our first subject is Robert "Buzz" Kross, VP of Autodesk's manufacturing division.

Roopinder Tara, March 28, 2006

We met with Buzz at National Manufacturing Week recently held at Rosemont, Illinois. Buzz gamely agreed to be our first victim... um, I mean interviewee.

1. What company is most likely to keep you awake at night? Dassault. That includes SolidWorks although we see SolidWorks as a niche player. But on the other hand, I think Dassault also worries about Autodesk. Listen to their financial reports and what do you hear. Autodesk, Autodesk, Autodesk. And they should be worried. Take our PDM product [Autodesk Vault]. Simple and easy to use. Can you say that about SmarTeam?
2. What book are you reading?
   The Rise And Self-Destruction Of The Greatest Football Team In History: The Chicago Bears And Super Bowl XX, by John Mullin, about the Chicago Bears under Mike Ditka.
3. Which leader most inspires you?
   Carol Bartz. She got the most out of people by challenging them. She knew how to lead. Six months after I started with Autodesk [as Mechanical Desktop product manager] she asked me “Sales are down. What are you going to do about it?”
4. What did you dream of becoming when your were a child?
   A scuba diver, like Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt.
5. How do you want to be remembered by after you retire?
   The guy who changed design.
6. What do you do on Saturdays?
   Snowboarding. I’m the oldest and politest snowboarder. [and he wears a helmet]
7. Your favorite drink?
   Tall non-fat latte.
8. Electronic device you can’t live without?
   My Blackberry.
9. What is the main reason why every mechanical/designer is not using your software?
   Users are too satisfied with the 2D software they currently use. But as soon as they become motivated by [being passed by] their competition, they will consider it.
10. If a movie was made of your life, who would play you?
    Steve McQueen. No doubt about it.