Next phase of subscription transition announced

[Richard Doll]

Dear Community Members, 

Following my recent Graphisoft Insights post on the Subscription transition update, we know how important this topic is for you as our clients and anticipate your comments and questions. To streamline communication, we’ve created this thread to gather everything in one place. We’ll also use it to identify topics that may need further clarification, which we’ll address on our FAQ page.

Please note that while we cannot respond to individual questions in the forum, your local representative is available for personalized support.

Best regards,
Richard

Link to Insights article: https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Graphisoft-Insights/Important-update-Next-phase-of-subscription-...

[mthd]

Many of us have much invested into this software. I don’t think any of us really want to waste our investment. For some of us, Archicad has not developed in the way we would have expected. Like me, I am not a fan of paying subscriptions to anyone if it doesn’t result into an upgrade of a license that I will actually own.

It would be interesting to see the figures of who actually is taking out a subscription, is it new younger users who cannot afford a perpetual license ? I think our older generation of perpetual license holders will eventually retire and not be in business or in need of the latest and greatest in CAD software. 

We all pay for or invest in what we think would be in our best interests. If Archicad doesn’t bring the goodies to the table to attract new purchases then they can only blame themselves and the policies they have taken out. To me and to probably all of us, it is show us what we are investing in for the future ? Do we own a share or a license of the product ? If not invest in something else that you can actually own.

All the rent CAD software out there is of no interest to me or not worth investing in or learning or even using. When Archicad stops SSA/FWD then I stop paying the money. What others do is their prerogative. I have no interest in crying over spilt milk, I just go and buy another carton to use and that should suffice till I run out of milk again.

[rakurs]

Sunk cost phallacy - what we had invested before into our path doesn't mean we should stay on that same path. Maybe there will be better or cheaper software that we will be able to switch to. Or maybe Graphisoft will make another product, catered to our needs. Not likely, but maybe. This piece of software will have to do for me for the maximum duration of the Forward contract, but after that? I'll be learning something new, most likely, while using the not so latest and (very likely not so) greatest version of ArchiCAD, or even switching back to AutoCAD LT full time, or some cheaper knock-off.

I very much feel for colleagues in societies that don't provide enough revenue to purchase software at these rising prices even before the latest price hikes, but also I see myself slipping into that category as well.

[mthd]

I will still be using Archicad at the last SSA/FWD version that they can supply me with. I don’t really need the latest and greatest version of any Autodesk products that are offered either. Who knows what will be available as a lifetime CAD/BIM license in the future ? We will see !

[Martin Jules]

It's time to mourn ArchiCAD!

[Lingwisyer]

Maybe there will be some huge updates in AC30 and AC31, right before and after it goes full subscription, which will blow all of our minds! I do not believe...

[mthd]

Dangling carrots in front of the mule !
 
Negotiated latest term:

“Perpetual fallback: Customers opting out of the subscription program will revert to the latest available perpetual version at the end of their conversion term, rather than their original version.”

Convert to a sub at the end of 2024 might mean you can fall back to 2027 version and end up with AC31 after a 3 year conversion term with a perpetual fallback ? Stretching out the Perpetual Licensing to AC31. 

Like I said, they are now dangling carrots in front of the mule !

Any mules out there that like carrots ? I prefer mangoes (Don’t stop the perpetual path for all those who own a perpetual license.) Simple as that.

[thesleepofreason]

The communication continue to be abysmal - to the degree of negligence. So now we have a "subscription program"? Based on what they ask from users one would think they would be professional enough to avoid such conflations...  Perhaps the it isn't a good idea just to pretend to be "listening to feedback" in the eleventh hour and make some "refinements" communicated through a pretentious "dear all - we are committed to support you through this process" post all while the developers are down to hoping that the things they do actually will make the software better rather than worse.... And by the way - are we to expect further refinements if this wont take?

So what is the meaning of "latest available perpetual version"? We know that it is sooner rather than later and with SSA being terminated at the end of 2026 its at first glance whatever version is available then. But the thing is that the SSA just entails the supply of the latest version - not that there will be a yearly release so there is nothing stopping GS from keep servicing (charging) the SSA to 2026 without releasing anything beyond AC28 so why would they spend resources on pushing a dead end perpetual version higher than that just as a measure of good will for old times sake? If GS want to use perpetual fallback as a sales pitch then they will have to make this clear - otherwise it's just more marketing fluff....

[Kalib Stewart]

Exactly. What does latest “perpetual version” mean here? This is intentionally ambiguous terminology so GS has plausible and legal deniability. 

Either the “fallback” is the latest version of Archicad at the time we “fallback (cancel)” or it’s not and it’s a set version we should be made aware about before we commit to our decision to convert. It’s an absolute con if they get us to pay for 3 years and then

“whoopsies actually AC29 is the last perpetual version sorry”

Give us a damn straight answer for once instead of all these blundered miscommunications and non-committal open-interpretation statements. 

It’s so slimy.

This entire communication process has been one of the most frustrating and dishonest I’ve seen from any company. 

They’re trying to strong arm everyone into taking up “phase 1” before the year’s end but can’t even front up with some clear communication and terms before then.

This whole appeasing with better terms in “phase 2” also tells me there has been even bigger backlash than they expected.

[Barry Kelly]

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@thesleepofreason wrote:

So what is the meaning of "latest available perpetual version"? We know that it is sooner rather than later and with SSA being terminated at the end of 2026 its at first glance whatever version is available then. But the thing is that the SSA just entails the supply of the latest version - not that there will be a yearly release so there is nothing stopping GS from keep servicing (charging) the SSA to 2026 without releasing anything beyond AC28 so why would they spend resources on pushing a dead end perpetual version higher than that just as a measure of good will for old times sake? If GS want to use perpetual fallback as a sales pitch then they will have to make this clear - otherwise it's just more marketing fluff....

---

You should not suppose that Graphisoft will not release new versions in a yearly cycle (as has been done for many years now), unless you have facts stating this to be so.

Of course we don't know what will happen in the future (as we have already found out), be we should not start creating rumours.

Whether we are on SSA/FWD or subscription, we will all have access to the latest version so long as we continue paying the fees.

And I doubt very much that the yearly release cycle will not continue, otherwise all users, even those with subscriptions, will be affected.

I believe the last perpetual license will be version 30 in 2026.

So any SSA/FWD user renewing in the 12 months before the release of version 30, should be eligible for that version (30).

Any SSA/FWD users switching to the 3-6 year subscription now will fall back to version 30 if they decide to cease their subscription.

There will be no perpetual version beyond 30 as I understand it.

So if you subscribe and start using version 31+, then if you cease subscription, you had better back save all of your files to 30 before you cease, as there will be no way to do it afterwards.

Barry.

[thesleepofreason]

Where do I state or even suppose that they won't release a yearly perpetual version and thus "starting a rumour"? I'm saying that we need clarity as there is nothing holding them to it and that it makes very little sense for GS to continue do it moving forward - at least in a full fledged version sense. If GS want to avoid such a discussion leading to rumors they should communicate clearly i.e. the last planned perpetual version is AC30 to be released in 2026. Simple as that and if they can't even do that under these circumstances - well then... You are of course free to believe what ever you want about the future but accusing others of pushing rumours when pointing out the need for clear communication from GS and while you don't have anything beyond "it has been yearly for many years now so they wouldn't change it" is a bit rich. Or does it only work in one way?

And regarding your point about the effect of lack of yearly releases on subscription users - have you missed that subscription is allegedly, by GS, leading to continuous updates in contrast to annual updates? No - their little infographics doesn't hold them to neither keeping annual upgrades for SSA until AC30 or subscribers getting extensive continuous minor updates to AC28/29 pushing major upgrades off the annual cycle but not sure how it can be read in any other way than a move away from annual releases in the future?

[mthd]

Did you see the interview with the new CEO ? They explain why they are pushing so hard for subscriptions.

They want to apparently ease the pain of converting to a subscription model ? It’s not the pain we will feel but what they will feel for kicking us to the curb as many will simply not take on a sub.

[jl_lt]

"perpetual fallaback: customers opting out.." too early for april fools GS

[stoneunturned]

If they did that we’d all just take the latest version and run.

 If they fixed the immense publisher annoyances, clumsy click heavy UI (where dialogue boxes open on random screens if you switch offices frequently), lack of logical visual and obvious UI buttons, a global pause drawing updates button, and just generally listen to user wishes with a wish system that users actually want to engage with, by the time the last available standalone version, I’d see much less of a reason to subscribe.

On the flip side, if I know, with an extremely transparent roadmap, where I can promote useful ideas and help steer them with an ability to comment, or rebuke useless ideas (where it’s obvious that 3-4x their resource is being wasted ..hence a 3-4x hike in cost) then I might be keen to go along for the journey.

GS just need some management. I’s obvious there are no clowns on the team, but the team is in disarray.

[laembert]

I'm sure they won't

[Marcel Cooper]

Thank you all for such helpful feedback.

We had an internal meeting today to discuss this matter and our unanimous decision is that we will run with the existing support until Archicad pull the plug and live with V29 or V30 (whichever we have by then) until such time as we must upgrade or we see another piece of software that really tickles our fancy.

We feel that the GS approach to this is going to alienate a significant portion of their hitherto loyal customer base and to paraphrase Shakespeare, hell has no fury like a user scorned.  

[mthd]

To all above, I am already semi retired and in my circumstances I can live with the last SSA/FWD version available.

If however you are still in full time business and want the latest versions and they give you a decent upgrade for the future, then it’s up to you if you choose to covert to a subscription. 

Although I don’t like subscriptions, if I was still in full time business I could be persuaded to convert to a sub if it was in the best interest for my particular business model.

If another software brand helps your business model then you just go ahead and add it to your CAD tool box. 

Archicad is just a piece of CAD/BIM software and a means to an end and just a tool to help your architectural business. 

Ok they want to rent out it now and go ahead with that business model and they have to live with the consequences of that decision. As well as how they choose to deal with SSA/FWD customers in going forward. 

They have nothing to loose and everything to gain by keeping SSA/FWD active indefinitely while the user is still paying the fees. They will certainly stop offering perpetual licenses and then rent only to new users.

The bottom line is to look after your loyal customers and they will reward you.

[Eric Milberger]

OK - So I purchased 2 p-erpetual license within the last12 months.

I Did this (due to a cost saving.  i purchased so that I would have a life time license and thought that after a few years I might have to pay a yearly fee but I never realized I paid $8000 for a product only good for 1 year.  That is not what I was sold.  For future license - it your call.  But to make it even harder to compete with Revit and AECIsim does not make sense.

It also is not was I paid for.

And I expect Graphisoft to support software and upgrades as promised.

I hope this is a bad interpretation due to poor explanations.

Turn away new users - that is your option.

But to take advantage of your customers is, well , not customer friendly.

I hope someone can speak layman, and be very direct as I feel screwed.

[Karl Ottenstein]

I’m not sure why you think your new license is only good for one year?  It is a perpetual license…to the extent that you maintain hardware/OS that it can run on.  You can purchase SSA/ArchiPlus for an annual fee for support and upgrade to the next release… up through Archicad 30.  Each version along the way is also perpetual.  Yours forever, not for one year as you said.

if you convert to subscription, your annual cost can be similar to what your annual ArchiPlus/SSA payment is… so in some sense your cash outlay will be the same as if continuing on SSA.  If you cancel subscription then you will fall back to the most recent non-cloud release, which we understand to be (but are not guaranteed to be) version 30.  Your reseller can explain all of this to you with examples that show your actual pricing.

[Ransom Ratcliff]

Well said Karl!

Indeed, I have been able to keep ArchiCAD versions 28 back to ArchiCAD 7 (and matching PlotMakers) functional on my Windows 10 machine. (Not so on the Mac, but not too upset about that. It's a Mac issue rather than a GS issue.)

Unlike PDFs, or even DWGs, the Intellectual Property embodied in the old models is the fact that they are BIM. In other words, yes, the drawings and designs are IP, but the BIM, which is a deeper well of information and thought, is a treasure; and your crafted engine for production of more IP. (Especially if you are one of those of us who were seduced into building more detail than was absolutely necessary for the scale-appropriate detail of your deliverables. lol)

If perpetual licenses end with AC30, it isn't even a small a problem for me yet. But I'm reminded of my detachment from Adobe after a long relationship. I still use perpetual licenses for PhotoShop 7 and Acrobat Standard 11, which work perfectly fine. But I won't pay a subscription for any tool... - Not a car, a drill, a chain saw, a refrigerator, or a sump pump. Much less my personal library of books.

So, I am hoping there is a solution for the subscription model that retains SSA revenue for GS and still opens up revenue from those who need a shorter step (and shorter term) into ArchiCAD. A growing user base will be profitable. A shrinking user-base seems less profitable, even if subscriptions reduce fluctuations and uncertainty, in the revenue stream.

[ryejuan]

Hi All,

I'm not sure what offers did your Local Graphisoft made but here in Singapore they offered several packages but you need to make decision or purchase within this year (2024) offers are the following...

1 year contract (they provide 3 year discount locked in)

3 year contract billed annually (they provide 6 year discount locked in)

3 year contract billed upfront (they provide 6 year discount locked in but a bit cheaper license price)

They will also refund the unused SSA/Forward fees.

Since the cloud license is not compatible to AC25 to AC13 versions they will provide another set of license for this.

They also offered the Perpetual Fallback.

In my opinion seems not that bad but of course still depends on your company or each person financial standings.

[laembert]

The decision to switch to subscription means paying it forever, in effect. Fallback is just a return to version 30, so anything processed in 31 and above will no longer open flawlessly.