Autodesk Announces Big Changes to Product Licensing and Subscription
If you're an Autodesk user then you may be aware that how you purchase software and even what you can purchase is changing.
For example, many individual products are slowly being retired in favor of product "Suites". Take Revit for instance. The software is no longer available as a individual boxed solution (except as Revit LT) instead users must purchase Building Design Suite Premium or Ultimate to get the tools they want (Revit plus more). This isn't a bad thing, Autodesk's Suites offer a lot of value. By combining expanded tool sets (for building, infrastructure deign and so on) they deliver greater functionality, integrated workflows, and a consistent user experience, for a lot less than it would cost to achieve the same with individual products.
But that's not all that's changing for Autodesk users. Individual product licensing and Subscription options are also undergoing a facelift.
Changes to Perpetual Licenses and a New Subscription Option
Effective January 31, 2016 Autodesk will no longer sell perpetual licenses of most individual (non-Suite) products such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and more.
What does this mean for you?
- If you wish to purchase one of the products affected by this change you must purchase a new Desktop Subscription license for the products. These are available as multi-year, annual, or quarterly plans. Desktop Subscription is a new purchasing option that allows you to license Autodesk desktop software on a term basis to meet a variety of mission and budget considerations, such as taking on finite projects, or hiring temporary staff.
- If you are already a Maintenance Subscription customer your perpetual licenses will continue to be renewable. Maintenance Subscription (formerly known as Autodesk Subscription) can be purchased with a traditional perpetual license. It is the most cost-effective way to maintain and maximize the value of your technology investment.
- New perpetual licenses for Autodesk Suites will continue to be offered beyond January 31, 2016.
To learn more about the ins and outs of the perpetual licensing changes and understand more about your Subscription options, check out this cheat sheet: Understanding Autodesk Subscription: Desktop vs Maintenance Subscription.
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