It was an early start for a call to learn about some big changes to Autodesk software purchases from 1 February 2016 onwards.
New commercial seats of most stand-alone desktop software (not Design Suites) will only be available on ‘pay as you go’ Desktop Subscription, not as Perpetual Licenses or the current annual Maintenance Subscription.
Purchases before 1 Feb 2016 will continue to receive existing benefits:
- Existing perpetual licenses will continue to work forever.
- Existing Maintenance Subscriptions (annual updates & bundled services etc.) will be honoured for as long as the subscription payment is maintained.
If current Perpetual or Maintenance Subscription customers require additional seats after 1 Feb 2016 the new Desktop Subscription will apply.
Why?
This is a response to changes in the way people design and make products;
- Projects using multiple applications, at multiple sites.
- Changes in how people expect buy products and software: more durable, flexible, local and personalised to them.
- Expectations products are connected, responsive and updated.
- Flexible teams, project not company or task specific
What does this mean?
A move towards cloud based services for better software delivery.
- Simplified deployment update process. Ongoing updates rather than annual releases through the Autodesk Application Manager and cloud.
- More integration between products (enabled by cloud nature)
- Better & new cloud services.
Transitioning:
- Full year notice
- Flexible terms:
- New multi-year subscriptions for desktop applications
- No change to current Maintenance Subscriptions
- New programs like floating licenses (not tied to user/hardware) without current network license overhead.
Details in the Autodesk news release and links below:
Autodesk Details Subscription Transition for New Software Licenses
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 8:00 am EST
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK) announced that new commercial seats of most standalone desktop software products will be available only by Desktop Subscription beginning February 1, 2016. Through these changes, Autodesk is continuing its transition to subscription-based offerings for its products, which provide customers a simplified product management and deployment experience, and makes it easier to introduce new tools and technology into the workflow with lower upfront cost and the ability to pay as you go.
"How the world is designed and made is changing, and how software is delivered is changing as well. The companies that embrace these changes will lead their industries toward a more nimble, connected and richer future,” said Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk senior vice president of Industry Strategy & Marketing. "Our customers have long asked for greater flexibility and more value from their software investments. The shift to subscription allows Autodesk to deliver both, as well as an improved user experience and easier access to a broader portfolio of technology.”
Autodesk Desktop Subscription offers a simplified installation, management and upgrade experience, flexible payment terms, and broader access rights across multiple devices. Autodesk plans to continually innovate and improve Desktop Subscription products to more tightly integrate them with Autodesk cloud services and reduce file compatibility issues.
Autodesk customers who have purchased perpetual licenses prior to February 1, 2016 will be able to continue to use those licenses, and customers on Maintenance Subscription will continue to receive corresponding benefits for as long as their subscription remains active. Autodesk will also continue to offer Cloud Services Subscriptions.
“With today’s announcement, we are giving our customers a full year to plan for these changes, and will continue to be transparent about our plans,” continued Anagnost. “Autodesk will be working closely with our customers and partners to ease the impact of these changes, and we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible.”
For full details on today’s announcement and subscription options, please visit http://www.autodesk.com/perpetuallicenses
