topic Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs in Modeling

ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:36:32 GMT

I don't know in which geographical areas this is available, but here it is:

http://www.graphisoft.com/community/press_zone/archicad-rental.html

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:43:56 GMT

This is the best news this year!
Let's wait for the advertisement of prices. Hopefully, prices will not bite.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Bricklyne Clarence — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 08:43:18 GMT

This could potentially backfire in their faces (assuming that the prevailing incentive in doing this is another means of attracting new customers who might otherwise be wavering in deciding whether or not to go for a full license).

With the current existing set-up that they have (i.e. Full license purchase, or Subscription, which is basically an extended Full license), the customers are pretty much locked into what they buy insofar as what Graphisoft produces with new versions.

In other words, if they hypothetically release a new version that is poor and devoid of any new features or significant upgrades (not that this would ever, eeever happen in the real world - perish the thought), the people who have already bought the license or are on subscription, have no other option but to bend over and take it like a men - or resort to bitching and whining about it on these forums, if they choose.
Graphisoft already has their money.

In this new scenario, a wavering potentially new customer ( or an existing one who's been burnt one too many times by GS int he past) can opt to buy a 1 month or 3 month rental to see whether it is really worth it, and then drop the purchase once the rental period runs out and they decide against getting a full license or extending their rental.

Pay-as-you-go only works as a business model if the product your selling is unquestionably superior and demonstrably vital to your customers such that they keep on paying regardless of how "poor" each release is.
GS have unfortunately not exhibited a capacity for this in their most recent version releases, hence the reason this could work against them.

Personally I just wish they would spend more time and all that extra effort on finding better ways to improve the program instead of trying to find more ways to sell more licenses.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 09:44:09 GMT

thats the way it is Bricklyne Clarence !
everything is easier then sit down and fix missing stuff in archicad !

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 17:06:53 GMT

To be completely fair, I sincerely doubt Graphisoft (or anyone) has the ability to improve ArchiCAD much fast than they're currently able to. Managing the complexity of a major piece of software like this is very difficult, especially when the core code was built before the benefits of the object-oriented paradigm were introduced to deal with that complexity.

All in all I think this is a great way for them to maximize revenue in ArchiCAD's twilight years as they can at least get some new people to pay instead of forgoing entirely, while reaping the same benefits from those of use who have too much intellectual property tied up with their software to switch just yet.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 23:06:18 GMT

continuing your comments, Bricklyne, I know of some users who are now not renewing their subscription. The benefits have begun to be less than the costs - yearly upgrades really 18mths, and all the extras we were given previously (in AUS we had access to some cadimage tools) were withdrawn, incurring extra expense on those using them....

My big concern in all this is when innovation is about marketing, not actual software development....the twilight years is very apt...

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Bricklyne Clarence — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 01:18:19 GMT

rwallis wrote:
continuing your comments, Bricklyne, I know of some users who are now not renewing their subscription. The benefits have begun to be less than the costs - yearly upgrades really 18mths, and all the extras we were given previously (in AUS we had access to some cadimage tools) were withdrawn, incurring extra expense on those using them....

My big concern in all this is when innovation is about marketing, not actual software development....the twilight years is very apt...

.......like I said, (they should) focus on the software development and improving their product, - instead of capitalizing and trying to maximize profits off of the existing version - and the marketing and promotion will almost take care of itself.

It's no surprise that existing users are not renewing their subscription; - why should they, when it seems like the landlord's not home, and no one's listening to their concerns.

Trying to appeal to new and bigger customers and clients at the cost of completely ignoring and pissing off your existing customers, does not seem to me anyway, to be a prudent way of developing, much less marketing your product. But maybe that's just me.

While I'll always believe and maintain that they should have retained their development cycle at the 18 months for new releases like it was before, instead of this yearly upgrade cycle that they now have which only seems to produce diluted versions like those other fellas over at Autotable, it now seems like they have no other choice but to maintain a yearly release cycle if they wish to remain competitive in the BIM market.

The 'Twilight years' comment while both foreboding and sad, is indeed apt.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:38:03 GMT

After research and development with a long time Graphisoft complete Teamwork 2, I am very confident team there while doing a great job to make a total change in ArchiCAD 14 while continuing to develop its marketing strategy.
From release to release I still follow it and continue to be swept up with something innovative. I hope this

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Anonymous — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:40:58 GMT

Bricklyne wrote:
Personally I just wish they would spend more time and all that extra effort on finding better ways to improve the program instead of trying to find more ways to sell more licenses.

Maybe it's just my nature, but I don't see this latest marketing effort as all doom and gloom. If it helps increase the user base (and I think it will), I'm all for it.

And just because Graphisoft is exploring marketing alternatives in these difficult times, it does not automatically time is being taken away from software development.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Erika Epstein — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:00:58 GMT

Laszlo,
Will the rental keys be able to use add-ons that you own? Is that an additional fee? The local reseller did not know.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Karl Ottenstein — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 19:53:45 GMT

Erika wrote:
Laszlo,
Will the rental keys be able to use add-ons that you own? Is that an additional fee? The local reseller did not know.

I seriously doubt it unless the add-ons are independent of your license key.

For example, MEP and EcoDesigner are 'hard' licenses that reside on a protection key. Typically, for a solo commercial license, these MEP and ED licenses reside on the same keyplug. I believe it is possible (?) to get them on a separate key. It is also possible to share them via the WIBU server functionality.

The Cigraph add-ons have their own WIBU key - so not an issue - just have to use that key as well as the rental key.

Encina's add-ons use software keys, but I think (cannot remember) that they are 'linked' to a particular WIBU? Ditto Cadimage?

Or, are you asking if the rental program also includes rental licenses for MEP and ED (etc)?

Cheers,
Karl

PS Even though that press release was on the main GS web site, since the 'location' for the release was Boston, I wonder if this new rental program only applies in North America (GSNA)?

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Ralph Wessel — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:23:08 GMT

Karl wrote:
Encina's add-ons use software keys, but I think (cannot remember) that they are 'linked' to a particular WIBU?

Only FrameWright is linked to the serial number of the ArchiCAD dongle, because it is a highly customised solution and we keep in close contact with these customers.

All our other add-ons are licensed just as other software - with a registration name and code. There is no linking to dongles of any kind. Dongles are a burden on the people who have legitimately paid for the software, and only prevent the most casual attempts at piracy. Therefore, they only harm customers - they've certainly cost me (and others I work with) a lot of time and money.

Re: ArchiCAD new pricing programs

Erika Epstein — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:29:46 GMT

Karl wrote:

Or, are you asking if the rental program also includes rental licenses for MEP and ED (etc)?

Cheers,
Karl

This option.
If you get hire someone to help can the key come with MEP for example so both people can work with it.