Technology in Architectural Practice

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  • 1.  Autodesk's Free upgrade with a hidden agenda

    Posted 05-06-2013 01:53 PM
    This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Small Project Practitioners and Technology in Architectural Practice .
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    A few months ago I received an email from my Autodesk reseller about this wonderful upgrade from my Architectural Design Suite to Building Design Suite AT NO CHARGE.  I thought, " How nice.  Autodesk is appreciating our industries', and my own business', long time patronage."  
    Unfortunately, much to the contrary.  Autodesk, in their infinite wisdom, has decided they KNOW what my architectural firm needs (AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP & AutoCAD Structural detailing along with Revit, 3D Studio MAX and programs that I do not know how I have managed without for the pass 20 years!) and with their free upgrade has forced my subscription to the more expensive Building Design Suite subscription.
    I inquired about staying with what I originally purchased and was told that if I did not accept the free upgrade, my subscriptions could not be continued and I would not be able to upgrade any of my software without purchasing a new seat/license.  Thinking this couldn't be true, I asked the reseller to have the manufacturer's rep contact me. When the manufactures' rep contacted me, she said she understood my concerns, but that I surely must be confused about the benefits of this bundle of software.  She would come into my Architecture firm and point out the benefits of all these extraneous programs so I could see what I was missing.  I restated that fact we are a small (8 person) Architectural firm and did not provide MEP or Structural services--my consultants do.  She insisted I was missing the point. I also explained that we are trying to break into using Revit/BIM, but have found it a difficult transition for the smaller, tighter budgeted projects that are typical to a small firm. Again, it was almost like speaking to a robot. She chose to ignore my concerns and remind me of the error of my thoughts.
    My question or point to the TAP community: Are you feeling similarly forced into these programs/subscriptions by the manufacturer?  Do you feel the software could and should be bundled similarly to Adobe Creative Suites or Microsoft's Office Suites where you can choose the programs YOU need? I'd love to hear the A/E community's  feedback.  
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    Judith Miller AIA
    Architecture by Design
    Ellicott City MD
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  • 2.  RE:Autodesk's Free upgrade with a hidden agenda

    Posted 05-06-2013 09:45 AM
    Hi Judith, thanks for passing this on. TI have noticed a lot of disgruntled customers of late and I guess this comes form a companythat does not care for it users. 

    I no longer continue my subscription due to similar things and have gone out on a limb to create a better way for all of us at my own cost. 
    I will keep you posted as to how I go. 


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    Andrew Dwight
    BIM manager
    RubySketch
    Sydney

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  • 3.  RE:Autodesk's Free upgrade with a hidden agenda

    Posted 05-06-2013 09:45 AM
    Judith,

    I feel your pain. We've been through that sales pitch as well. I wouldn't say that Adobe's CS Creative Cloud subscription is much better, though. I know that you get access to almost all of their apps for "one low price monthly price", but is it really a lower price than if you just bought or were able to subscribe to just those apps you really needed or used? The software developers are trying to find ways to squeeze just a little more out of each of us to make themselves more profitable.

    Jim

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    James Morgan, AIA LEED AP
    Urban Design Associates
    Pittsburgh PA
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  • 4.  RE:Autodesk's Free upgrade with a hidden agenda

    Posted 05-06-2013 02:22 PM

    Dear All,

    Let me assure you that Autodesk is listening. I work on the AEC industry team at Autodesk, and would like to offer an explanation about the upgrades you have received.

    In an effort to simplify our product offerings, Autodesk discontinued new licenses and Subscription for the AutoCAD Revit Suites last year. This change gives customers two ways to purchase Revit products - through standalone licenses of Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, or Revit Structure or by purchasing a license of Autodesk Building Design Suite Premium and Ultimate editions, which include Autodesk Revit which is a a single application that includes features for architectural design, MEP and structural engineering, and construction. As a result of the discontinuation, AutoCAD Revit Suite customers' Subscription entitlements were changed to Building Design Suite Premium, which is the most comparable offering because it includes all of the products in the AutoCAD Revit Suites, plus additional products and services. Our aim was to ensure that AutoCAD Revit Suites customers experienced a smooth transition to a product that would fully support their workflow needs.

    The upgrade to Building Design Suite Premium from the AutoCAD Revit Suites came at no cost to Subscription customers, however, as you have experienced, customers will see a difference in their Subscription renewal fee. What may not have been explained to you is that recently Autodesk increased Subscription renewals fees on most of our products, with the exception of our Design and Creation Suites. This price increase was in-line with standard software price increases over time, a practice that we don't implement often, but was necessary to support our investments in changing technology to support our customers' needs.  It should also be noted that as an Autodesk customer you do always have the option of declining subscription renewal but this would prevent having access to many of the additional services provided as part of the Autodesk Subscription program. 

    Autodesk is committed to adding value to our Subscription program. In addition to providing access to new releases, technical support, and flexible licensing, Subscription customers are now entitled to Autodesk 360 cloud services. Subscription customers receive 25GB of cloud-based storage per seat, and 100 cloud credits per seat that can be applied to cloud services such as rendering, energy analysis, and structural analysis. These cloud services are particularly beneficial for firms that need to perform compute-intensive tasks like rendering or analysis, but cannot or do not want to invest in the expensive hardware required for these tasks.

    The model for Autodesk's Design and Creation Suites is not unlike Microsoft's Office Suite or Adobe's Creative Suite. Building Design Suite was created to be a comprehensive solution to help our customers take full advantage of BIM workflows and their model-based designs. You may not use all of the tools in the suite every day, just as you may not use all of the products in the Microsoft and Adobe suites. However, even if you use two products in Building Design Suite on a regular basis, it's more cost effective than purchasing or maintaining Subscription fees for those products individually. 

    The feedback on this forum has been valuable to me, and I assure you that Autodesk is considering ways to give you more flexibility in how you license our products. I welcome your ideas on this topic, either in this forum or by contacting me directly at angi.izzi@autodesk.com.

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    Angi Izzi
    Sr. Manager, AEC Industry & Strategy
    Autodesk, Inc.
    Orlando FL
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