Maintenance subscription: Often simply called 'subscription,' this is the annual support contract for perpetual licenses that entitles you to all updates to the product. For a single seat of AutoCAD, the perpetual license cost is currently $4,195.

Perpetual license: This is the traditional 'buy it once' software license we've all purchased in the past. This way we'll have a consistent set of terminologies and a reference point so we can perform cost analyses. In addition to defining the key terms below, I include a reference price for each type of plan, based on an AutoCAD-only license. More comprehensive software suites, where multiple programs are bundled together, are not subject to the new policy yet, but are slated to make the transition in 2017, according to press releases from earlier this year.īefore we delve deeper into evaluating the transition from perpetual to rental licensing, let's clarify the vocabulary involved. Starting next January, an annual rental plan - what Autodesk calls a desktop subscription - will require you to rent the software in monthly or yearly installments. If you've been following the past few editions of the CAD Manager's Newsletter, you're already aware that Autodesk will no longer sell individual products, such as AutoCAD, under 'perpetual licensing' terms after January 2016.

Note: I realize that not everyone reading this uses Autodesk software, but if Autodesk's changes take hold, it is reasonable to assume that other CAD software vendors will implement similar policies, which will require similar planning strategies. In this edition of the CAD Manager's Newsletter, I will address these questions and give CAD managers some key pieces of information for planning purposes. These policies will force companies to make financial decisions with long-term impacts by January 2016, so you must start planning now - while you still have time to get your management on board. I've received many questions about the big changes in 2016 licensing terms from Autodesk.

Autodesk Software Goes Subscription-Only in 2016 25 Aug, 2015 By: Robert Green CAD Manager Column: With major licensing policy changes on the way, it’s essential to make a plan for how you’ll purchase seats of AutoCAD and other software titles.

Autodesk autocad lt 2017 abonnement