Programme keeps CAD software fresh and functional

The Autodesk Subscription Programme is a software delivery model that offers customers a convenient way to stay up-to-date on the latest Autodesk technology.

The Autodesk Subscription Programme is a software delivery model that offers customers a convenient way to stay up-to-date on the latest Autodesk technology.

The programme, which was first available in the USA and Canada in August 2001, is today available in many European countries, offering a complete customer solution that boosts functionality and increases productivity by simplifying the upgrade process, minimising disruption and facilitating straightforward budget planning.

"Autodesk is raising the bar and redefining customers' expectations of their software provider", said Jeff Drust, vice president of E-Business at Autodesk.

"The Subscription Programme is a direct response to our customers' need for a simple and streamlined way to keep their software up-to-date.

We have extended the value of the software to allow our customers to work better, faster and smarter".

For an annual fee, the yearly maintenance programme is an alternative approach to major product upgrades by providing licensed users with incremental, feature-enhancing Autodesk Extensions.

Extensions boost functionality for AutoCAD-based products and simplify the upgrade process while maintaining full compatibility with coworkers and design partners.

Subscribers acquire new product releases and download extensions, as they become available and when they are ready to implement them, so breaking down the individual purchase, implementation and training required in full product upgrades.

Extensions build over time to form a substantial part of the next upgrade.

Extensions are only available via the subscription programme.

All Software licenses covered and delivered under the subscription program are perpetual licenses.

The new subscription programme has been implemented as an additional option for customers and will operate in parallel to the existing traditional Autodesk upgrade process.

As part of the European implementation, the customer-facing elements of the subscription programme have been localised into French, Italian, German and Spanish languages.

Products currently available under subscription include: AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, Autodesk Architectural Desktop, Autodesk VIZ, Autodesk Inventor Series, Autodesk Civil Design, Autodesk Survey, Autodesk Land Desktop, Autodesk MAP, Autodesk MapGuide and Autodesk Raster Design.

Customers must have the latest release of these products before they can take out a subscription.

Subscriptions can normally only be purchased at the same time that new or upgrade software products of the latest release are purchased.

However, for a limited period, subscriptions can be purchased separately by customers already on the latest release of Autodesk software.

For example, anyone currently using AutoCAD 2002 can purchase a subscription for their existing product.

This offer ends on 31st May 2002.

The Autodesk Subscription Programme is accessed and managed through the Autodesk Point A customer website (pointa.autodesk.com), a personal access point to a multitude of Autodesk services and information on the Internet.

The site, available in the USA since 2000, recently expanded with the launch of local language sites (in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean and Simplified and Traditional Chinese).

Point A offers product tips and tutorials, online training and support and local industry links.

Content is localised and organised by industry: general design, civil and land development, building and construction and manufacturing.

Registered members can subscribe to receive a monthly newsletter containing online articles of interest to the design community.

A single subscription contract can cover multiple software licenses.

Autodesk Point A allows user-defined co-ordinators to view their subscription account online, at their convenience.

It provides secure access to extension downloads and upgrade requests.

Subscribers have full control over if and when they download extensions and request upgrades.

All software enhancements released during a subscription period are included with the user's subscription.

Upgrades can be delivered direct to customer's premises or to their nominated Autodesk reseller.

Point A offers subscription administration reports with helpful account information, such as coverage reports, software under subscription and contract dates.

The site also offers e-learning modules for most extensions and optional online technical support direct from Autodesk at extra cost.

As an additional cost option, subscribers can add an Autodesk Direct Online Support contract to their subscription.

Customers then have an online Q and A capability direct with Autodesk's technicians.

This facility compliments support contracts that are typically available from Autodesk resellers which provide extended system support, telephone support and onsite visits.

Subscriptions and Direct Online Support can be purchased from Autodesk resellers and direct from Autodesk via the Named Account programme.

Back to top