Autodesk to provide AutoCAD 2017 and other popular design software on subscription-only model

Autodesk software suites including AutoCAD 2017, are now available on subscription-only model, thus, decreasing the overall CAPEX on design technology for its customers. From 1 August, the Autodesk portfolio of products, which included AutoCAD 2017, 3DSMax and Maya among others, are available on subscription based models for purchase.

AutoCAD 2017 aligns with the transformational strategy of cloud subscription and ensures that users who subscribe to the latest version, are able to avail additional benefits like AutoCAD 360 Pro and Autodesk Desktop App. AutoCAD 2017 is available at an affordable cost for large businesses, SMBs, Makers, Start-ups, freelance designers. It comes with updated new features (e.g., 3D printing) powered by cloud (Autodesk 360).

Adoption of AutoCAD 2017 lets users work faster and smarter across connected desktop and mobile solutions, easily collaborate with colleagues, create personalised design experiences, and stay up-to-date with the newest features and updates. AutoCAD 360 Pro, a mobile app that lets users use AutoCAD on the go, is also included in the subscription for AutoCAD 2017. Users also get to share their work with TrustedDWG technology. 

Autodesk is committed to democratising technology, and all its business strategies are aligned with this vision that technology should be accessible to everyone, irrespective of whether they are large enterprises, MSMEs, startups, makers or freelance designers. It focuses on the 3A model – Availability, Accessibility and Affordability to ensure that businesses of all size and nature are able to adopt design technology easily.

Subscriptions based is a term based model, it is time bound for or multiyear, annual, quarterly, or monthly terms, unlike the perpetual license, which was valid as per End User Agreement.  The new model allows greater flexibility, it offers consumers ways to align the software as per individual/business needs along with low cost trials and multiple machine/device access and immediate cloud access. The yearly subscription costs one-third of the perpetual license fee and annual management fee. In case of perpetual license Autodesk charged 15% of license fee as annual management fee, however, there is no management fee in case of the subscription model.

Autodesk’s subscriptions based model resonates very well with startups. This is an OPEX based model therefore, the startups don’t have to make huge capital investments, they can take quarterly licenses or yearly ones and see how it works for them, and then invest in a three-year license. In terms of Cloud capabilities, startups adopt future technologies faster than the rest, and most of Autodesk’s software give access to cloud services that are not installed on the computer.

AutoCAD 2017 addresses various user functionality requests and delivered features that improve everything from workflows to graphics processing. Autodesk has over 10 million users of AutoCAD globally and they are also benefitted by the numerous enhancements that has been added in the latest version, like improvements to PDF handling features, new features like ‘smart centrelines’ and availability of Autodesk Desktop app.

Key features of AutoCAD 2017 are as follows:

nImport PDFs – A top-requested feature based on user feedback, PDFs have been added to the supported ‘Import File’ formats.  Now users can import geometry, TrueType text and raster images from a PDF file or underlay into the current drawing as AutoCAD objects. Gone are the days of clunky workarounds or having to leave AutoCAD to import PDFs.

nSmart centrelines/centre marks – Creating and editing centrelines and centre marks is now faster and more intuitive.  When users move associated objects, the centrelines and centre marks update accordingly.

nAutodesk Desktop App –Product updates and learning content are seamlessly delivered to help users get the most out of new features with Autodesk Desktop App, a companion application that replaces Autodesk Application Manager. Users will also get the latest security patches and updates for all 2015, 2016, and 2017 versions of Microsoft Windows-based Autodesk products without disrupting their workflow. And it’s even subscription-aware, offering subscription-only updates and learning content for products under subscription.

Autodesk’s biggest priority today is to make sure that each of the customer understands the new business model, embrace it well, leverage its benefits. It is only the model that has changed, the software remains the same. Subscription gives access to Autodesk software—the same full version as with a perpetual license, but with a flexible, pay-as-you-go approach for a software budget that’s easier to manage.