Drop Autodesk subscription plan?

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by john63401, Sep 12, 2003.

  1. john63401

    john63401 Guest

    My new boss approached me today and asked my advice abt
    dropping our Autodesk subscription plan.

    You see..... we want more seats of Autocad, Inventor,
    etc..... he was wondering if we dropped our
    subscription plan and instead just bought a whole new
    "seat" or license every two years or so if that would
    be a good strategy..... or a false economy.

    And yes..... if the above is possible..... we would
    have seats of varying versions after a few years....
    but would that be a problem or not?

    Advice? Opinions?
     
    john63401, Sep 12, 2003
    #1
  2. john63401

    Tim Arheit Guest

    It might work for the 1st two years, though It could be a major pain
    remembering which features you should use in the newer version to
    remain compatible with the old. But after two years all bets are off
    as typically AutoCAD has only allowed saving back so far. For
    example: A2000i will save to R14, but A2004 won't. And even though
    A2004 will save to A2000i, you will loose some features (gradient
    fills for one).

    Plan 1: Buy new every 2 years.
    Year 1: Currently have 2000i, purchase 2004 = $3000
    Year 2: Must upgrade 2000i or loose it: = $1200
    Year 3: Purchase 2006 (have 2004, 2005) = $3000
    Year 4: no cost.
    Year 5: Must upgrade 2004 = $1200
    Year 6: Must upgrade 2005 = $1200
    Year 7: Must upgrade 2006 = $1200
    etc.


    So you end up with a maximum of 3 copies and spend $10,800 total
    (note that skipping versions does not save money on upgrades anymore.)


    Plan 2: Upgrade to 2 copies now, add another in two years and stay on
    subscription.
    Year 1: 2000i subscription and purchase 2004 = $3400
    Year 2: 2 subscriptions = $800
    Year 3: 2 subscriptions and purchase 2004 = $3800
    Year 4: 3 subscriptions = $1200
    Year 5: 3 subscriptions = $1200
    Year 6: 3 subscriptions = $1200
    Year 7: 3 subscriptions = $1200
    etc.

    Total = $12,800 (then 2400 every 2 years)
    (Note I'm using $400 for both 1 year upgrade and subscription prices
    and $3000 for new.)

    So yes, you do save money the first 4 years ($2000). But after that
    it costs the same (or more if you miss a required upgrade). And, at
    least currently you get a discount on keeping your subscription
    current (ie. it's less than the upgrade price). You might save a
    bit more if Autocad isn't updated each year, but it looks like they
    are pretty much on the version per year bandwagon. It gives
    subscribers something to look forward to, and gives them a feeling the
    subscription has some value.

    Add to that the cost of handleing incompatabilities, loss of
    productivity because all employees can't use the new enhancements and
    loss of employee moral (Why do I get stuck with the old version?!
    syndrome, or the sorry, I can't do that, you'll have to ask Joe, he
    has the new version syndrome)

    Note: skiping every other version use to be common with AutoCAD, but
    that's when upgrades were a flat price regardless of which version you
    were upgrading from. Now it's verry much a pay me now or pay me later
    deal. (And pay me much more if you wait to long)

    Just my 2 cents.

    -Tim
     
    Tim Arheit, Sep 12, 2003
    #2
  3. john63401

    Tim Arheit Guest

    Also note, once off the subscription plan, if you ever want to get
    back on it you will have to upgrade all your software to the current
    version, then pay the subscription price. You pretty much hand back
    any monitary savings you gained by dropping off the plan. (and
    possibly more)

    -Tim
     
    Tim Arheit, Sep 12, 2003
    #3
  4. Hey John,

    It sounds like you are considering the economies involved and how to
    get the biggest bang for your buck. Another thing to consider it to
    get network licences, especially if you have many casual users
    (non-full time users).

    Just an idea that has helped me keep cost down in the past.

    Regards-

    SMA
     
    Sean-Michael Adams, Sep 13, 2003
    #4
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