Shift to a subscription model - your questions are welcome

[Akos Pfemeter]

Dear Community,

You may have already read the press release or the Insights post about our strategic shift to a subscription model. 

Here is a quick summary of the news:

BUDAPEST, April 2, 2024—Graphisoft, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solution developer for architecture and multidisciplinary design, today announced that, as part of its strategic shift to a sustainable subscription software delivery model, perpetual licenses will be gradually phased out by the end of 2025. This change does not affect the delivery of Software Service Agreement (SSA)/Forward subscription services to existing customers. 

Archicad perpetual and SSA/Forward licenses will be available for new customers through December 31, 2024, and to existing customers through December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, Archicad will be available only through subscription. Active SSA/Forward contracts will continue to be serviced beyond 2025. Alternatively, SSA/Forward customers can convert to Archicad Collaborate subscriptions at the same price as SSA/Forward. This offer is designed to help existing SSA/Forward subscribers take full advantage of the Archicad Collaborate subscription, which combines award-winning Archicad for architectural design with BIMx and BIMcloud SaaS for fast, efficient, secure, real-time access to shared projects.

Please ask your questions and share your thoughts here -- Graphisoft's expert team will try and provide answer to all sorts of questions you may have!
Thank you.
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Edit by Moderator:  here is the link to the evolving information/FAQ page about this announcement:

https://graphisoft.com/convert-ssa-forward-to-archicad-collaborate/

[Eric Milberger]

I am enthusiastic at the moment.  but will probably lose projects to Revit.  I see too many contracts come out Revit only.  too bad they focus on software more than the design.  (These clients)  Archicad has so much potential but dont see it free at the Universities for students to use .  Nor do I see a push here in the U.S.  If I had not looked for it I'd never have known it exists.  Everyone is Autocad or Revit these days.  I am only saying this to hope someone that wants success to listen to use as there is still a big market in the US.  It just seems no one cares about the US as a market for Archicad.

I have bet my career on this product.  

[Eduardo Rolon]

FYI, AC has been free to students, faculty and Uni since version 09 IIRC.

[Eric Milberger]

True but I checked at Clemson and Auburn and then friend's kids that recently graduated from a couple schools and a few students that have interviews for jobs.  All are using Revit in school and there is no other option.  Every kid who has come to me on an interview are only aware of Autocad and Revit.  None yet have heard of AECOsim (my previous software from Bentley and ARCHICAD my preferred software.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Every student has the option even if the faculty have drunk the Autodesk coolaid or the school has rigid, inflexible IT managers.  Any decent school doesn’t demand a specific software for their projects and creative students can choose what they want.   ArchiCAD has been free to students for many years:

https://myarchicad.graphisoft.com

[Eric Milberger]

If I were Graphisoft they would give it free for a YEAR (and sell support if required) of any new firm.  And push it harder at the universities.

The Problem at the schools as the teachers only have time to be a strong support for only one package.  So Maybe Graphisoft freely trains the professor(s).

This is a reality but a possible success.  What would Graphisoft lose if every student at least had the knowledge that Archicad Exists.

THE FIRST TIME a student presents their project using the Ipad will blow everyone away as Autocad does not compete.

[Eric Milberger]

Pretty confusing - why would someone want to change a perpetual license to subscription?

[Barry Kelly]

Most people with existing perpetual licenses will probably not want to change.

But those that also pay for additional BIMcloud SaaS licenses might want to consider it.

Barry.

[Geof Gainer]

I’m having trouble mustering enthusiasm for either a renewal or a subscription. I guess I was first put off by the announcement of “deeply discounted” pricing, which then wound up being less than the cost of a burger and fries with my kids. Then I was in disbelief on hearing a substantial part of the reasoning for subscriptions was that “that's the way things are going”. What a thing to say to a profession famous for balking at convention.

I've purchased every version of ArchiCad since 10, so I figure I've spent about $17,000 on AC over the years, loving every minute of it. But for the first time, I can’t say I trust the services and potential upgrades will be worth the cost. For the first time, I haven’t even bothered to download the latest version I paid for. For the first time, I've begun to hesitate before recommending AC to other architects. I know I’ll upgrade or subscribe again in a few years. I’ll have to because of the OS compatibility. But it sure galls me that that’s going to be the main reason. 

[Barry Kelly]

Just be aware, if you have an SSA or Forward support agreement in place now and you lapse on paying that, and you do not switch to the discounted subscription offer by the end of 2025, then from 2026 you will have no choice but to start a new full price collaboration subscription, and you will not be able to upgrade your current perpetual license.

Keep paying for the SSA/Forward support and you can keep upgrading into the future.

Whether you choose to use that upgraded software or not is your choice.

So by stopping support, you will save  money in the short term.

But should you decide to upgrade, you will have the full subscription to pay.

Stop paying that subscription, and you will no longer have a current Archicad license, just back to the old one when you stopped paying for support.

That is my understanding anyway.

Barry