Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
(OP)
Our AutoDesk software subscription renewal arrived today-$12,000 for 1 year; there are 2 years remaining on our lease to purchase Autodesk Software. That set us back $66,000. Is this standard? When I think of all the other things we could use the $$$$ for. Does anyone have any solutions for this dilemma?





RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
I'm not sure how many seats you have (since $12k times any integer is not $66k) but it doesn't look like you're talking about more than 3. I think the last
David
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
If you are unhappy with the costs maybe you should move to another system and try to negotiate a better deal, always try to find a quarter end or better still a year-end as this is when you will get the best deal.
It is an expense but a bit like insurance and taxes a necessary evil IMO, can you really compete with an old system?
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
Not sure if it will fill your needs - but very easy to use and cheap. Will import/export about any file you can think of
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
If you are using straight CAD (no third party solutions), is it possible to move to an alternate system such as Bricscad? I use 2 "distinct" CAD systems: 1) AutoCADr14 (yes, r14 - and it was r13 until not long ago) with a third party solution (EaglePoint); and 2) Bentley PowerCivil/PowerDraft (most current version). I've been using AutoCAD for about 25 years, but I still have yet to use probably 90% of the features available. I suspect mechanical users may employ much more of the available features than most other users (just a guess). But - is it really worth it to constantly upgrade? Are you really getting meaningful improvements? What else could that $66,000 be doing for you and/or your company? I suggest looking at alternatives and seeing if that money could be invested elsewhere. I really don't know about mechanical/structural, but if it is anything like civil/environmental, there is a plethra of available software packages out there at much lower cost and similar or better performance than the "flagship" products. Ever check out something like BRL-CAD?
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tsgrue: site engineering, stormwater
management, landscape design, ecosystem
rehabilitation, mathematical simulation
http://hhwq.blogspot.com
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
RE: Software Subscription Fees for Small Firms
If you are upgrading versions of ACAD to keep up with others, you may want to consider DWG Gateway. With it, you can open and edit any DWG file using any version of AutoCAD. And it's free:
http://www.dwggateway.com/
My advice, try it and see if it helps you. Then you can decide what to do with your AutoDesk subscription.