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Autodesk has stopped selling the perpetual license for all products. It started earlier this year, so many of you probably already purchase the new subscription model.
I would like to hear your experience with the new licensing model. I understand that some customers might be happy with the new model, but the others might think it’s a bad idea. Share how you feel about the pricing, your experience in installing, activating and using the products. And any other experience that related to the new licensing model.
Please share your comment on the website, using this comment form so other readers can read it too. And probably, Autodesk employee read it too.
I would also like to share what I see and read.
No more perpetual license
You can’t purchase a perpetual license now. You need to pay for the subscription for a term basis.
Some customers prefer term basis because they can add licenses in a short term when required. And some of them prefer it for budgeting purpose. However, many customers prefer perpetual license.
I see some Autodesk competitors use this in their promotion. And I do find some users decided to use competitors product because they don’t want to pay annually. On the other hand, I haven’t found customers who finally decided to purchase Autodesk software because it’s now “affordable.”
Personally, I prefer to have choices. Autodesk should use both licensing models.
What do you think about the term basis license as your only choice?
No physical media delivery
Because Autodesk offers the license for monthly basis, it’s not profitable to send the physical media. All customers need to download the installer, or Electronic License Delivery (ELD). It might sound like not a big deal, but not all Autodesk customers have fast internet connection. And we all know that Autodesk installer is pretty large.
The default installation method is Install Now. This method is not as reliable as installing from local disk. It’s easy to find a thread about failed installation using this method in Autodesk Forum. I always download the full installer using browser download method before I run the installation. If you fail to install using Install Now method, I strongly suggest you download the media first.
I like the fact that I can get my media and install it without having to wait for my physical media. I can download it and use it in a few hours after my product is listed in my account.But I still want to get my physical media. Autodesk says that we can request the physical media from the Autodesk Account page. I tried it twice, and get the message they will reach me once the media is shipped. But I’ve never got it.
Granted that Autodesk needs to make the profit. But don’t the customers who purchase the product for a long term and many seats deserve to get the media?
What’s your experience with it?
Single User Access
Single user access is the change that I hate most. I don’t mind that it requires users to log in to check their permission to use the products. But I hate the fact that it is very buggy.
It’s not only once, but I found it happens several times. The issues I found are quite often are:
- The product is not added to the customer account after they purchase it.
- The contract managers fail to add users and assign licenses to users.
- The license server down and users can’t use their products.
- Some proxy or internet security settings prevent the client computer from connecting to Autodesk server.
Because now it’s a term basis, customers will want they can use their products seamlessly from day 1. Imagine if you pay to use it for a month and you need a few days until it fixed. Autodesk support used to be good and responded in reasonable time frame. But lately, their respond is quite slow.
If you a new customer, I strongly suggest you purchase from a reseller. If you purchase it online from Autodesk Store, you are on your own. If the system fails, you will not see your product in your account. You will not be able to create a support case because Autodesk thinks you are not a customer yet. Your reseller should be able to help you to create a case for you.
Multi-user access is the same as network license, so it’s still as good as it used to be.
I don’t understand why Autodesk decided to use this system. Why not just activate the license and allow the user to use it until their contract expires? The named user license means only the user can use it. If someone log in with different Windows Account, he can’t use it. Some companies don’t allow the computer to connect to the internet for security reason. I don’t see the benefit of this system but definitely need more work.
To me, it’s a nightmare. What about your experience? If you think this system is better than the old one, I want to hear your experience.
So what’s your experience?
I found that this Autodesk new licensing model is not better than the old one. Sure, having an alternative is good. But if it’s the only choice, I don’t see why it’s better. But it can be different in a certain scenario.
So let’s hear what you think about this licensing model.
Curious to see if they’ll start pulling back from this.
There are many advantages to the subscriptions but many people do find this as a expensive route. I think for large companies that want to stay current, there are several price advantages.
Inventor 2018 will be the last. Will run with that until I have to change , then will look at what is happening with other software,normally update late anyway.
Started in Inventor 10, paid a lot to own it, They want me to change they can buy it back.
The subscription model turned out as an opportunity to finally leave 3ds Max and join the Cinema 4d community.
I have noticed a lot of artist making the switch and some even joining the Houdini camp.