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.

[Archlantis]

I've used the BIMcloud service for 6-7 years and plan to keep my version 27 perpetual license. If I don't switch to a subscription, will I lose access to BIMcloud services after 2025? I need a straightforward answer to understand how this new fee structure affects me.

[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

[Archlantis]

Your explanation feels like a hostage negotiation, forcing loyal users into a corner with limited options. After 30 years with Archicad, it's disappointing to see such tactics prioritizing profit over customer loyalty. This shift to a subscription model, with its restrictive payment policies, feels more like a money grab than a genuine improvement for users. It's frustrating to see Graphisoft disregard the needs of its long-term clients.

[Eric Milberger]

Just seems complicated as it is not explained very well.

I assume now it will be by monthly charge and assume you can pause it.  If so that is reasonable as you can be flexible.  If you cannot Pause it I would assume it would be cheaper that a normal subscription as you don't own it so cannot gain equity.  

So this would benefit a small firm with a good use of jobs but can use it as needed with new temporary subscriptions as needed.  This would be good as I could take on big projects and lots of users as needed.

If not any of these, and it is a subscription that has a required yearly rent then I just hope it is cheaper.

I need more professionals using this software in the US.  Right now, I have a very limited source and that impacts projects I am even allowed to bid.  Please adjust things so that we have 1000,000,000,000 users not the limited we have right now.  Great product but it does not help if we are considered the odd ball in the room.

[Archlantis]

As a loyal Archicad user for 30 years, I find this forced shift to a subscription model infuriating. It's a blatant money grab, prioritizing profits over the needs of long-term clients. The lack of choice and exorbitant prices are appalling, especially when the payment system forces you to pay before making any changes to the upcoming month. The upgrades have become increasingly unimpressive, yet the costs continue to rise with little or no corresponding value. Graphisoft seems more interested in squeezing every last cent from us rather than valuing our loyalty. It's disheartening to see such greed taking precedence over customer satisfaction.

[Barry Kelly]

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@Archlantis wrote:

As a loyal Archicad user for 30 years, I find this forced shift to a subscription model infuriating.

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No-one is forcing you to change to subscription.

If you are happy with what you have now (SSA or Forward) stick with it.

If you want the full collaboration benefits, then you may decide to switch, and then you will have an offer to pay the same as you do now for the next 3-6 years.

Barry.

[Eric Milberger]

Barry it is just not clear.

I have perpetual with a yearly update (Which is a subscription )and I used to pay by the month which was a subscription.

Is a subscription a reduced rate than the older monthly because it is charged like a subscription?

So what has changed to make this such a bid 

[Karl Ottenstein]

Eric,

As a Graphisoft North America (GSNA) client, you should contact GSNA for any and all clarification from the horse's mouth; you won't get full clarity from any of us here.

If you had a perpetual license with annual updates, that was ArchiPlus/SSA/Forward ... and if somehow you had monthly payments, that was a special deal that GSNA or your local reseller arranged for you as ArchiPlus/SSA/Forward is normally a once per year payment.  It is NOT a subscription.

Subscription to Collaborate is an entirely different animal and you can follow the link from the first post to learn more.

The pricing options include  discounts for switching based on how you will pay.  The functionality differences are not clear.  While SSA (called ArchiPlus in the North American market) will continue to support perpetual licenses, there will be features that will only be available to those subscribing to the Collaborate subscription as those features will be cloud based and not provided to those of us remaining on perpetual licenses.  One of those features has already been announced to those participating in the Technology Preview for AC 28. (I don't believe that can be shared in public here.). I have no doubt that there will be BIMCloud services added to the subscription-included BIMCloud SaaS (cloud based) version that will not be available to BIMCloud basic or hosted.  In spite of potential savings on subscription by switching early (and thus never being able to return to SSA support in the future) - personally I would risk losing the discount and simply wait until the Subscription package offers features that I cannot live without and switch at that time.

Again, do contact GSNA for your specific case and needs as only they can provide the answer for your situation.

Karl