Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 21, 2014. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Autodesk is pushing its customers toward subscriptions and away from individual licenses toward suites. The model appears to be worthwhile economically, because from 2009 to the present, software subscriptions have risen by 26 percent and revenue from the suites has climbed from 30 to 40 percent over the same period (as a share of total license revenue).
Autodesk cites two main arguments as benefits for the customer. First, a clear overview of costs, and second, permanently available software updates that strengthen competitiveness.
What does the cutoff date of February 1, 2015 mean in concrete terms? From that date, standalone licenses can still be used, but can no longer be upgraded. Autodesk users will therefore have no choice but to take out a maintenance contract. In return for a certain sum X, the customer receives upgrades and service packs delivered free of charge. A third option, albeit more for peaks in production (if at all), would be the rental models, meaning use of the software for only a short period.
You can find further information under here. Incidentally, Autodesk is still offering a discount on switching to a subscription until July 25.
