Archicad Subscription Contract – Renewal Notice AGAIN?!

[Anonymous]

Hi,
We just got AC 10 few month ago and now Archicad Subscription Contract – Renewal is due. Am I missing something?
Thanks,
Joseph

[Anonymous]

Joseph wrote:
Hi,
We just got AC 10 few month ago and now Archicad Subscription Contract – Renewal is due. Am I missing something?
Thanks,
Joseph

I guess you have to decide is subscribing is really worth it...Exactly what are the benefits to it anyway???

Dan K

[TomWaltz]

I think it's based on when you subscribe, not when the releases come out.

[Chazz]

TomWaltz wrote:
I think it's based on when you subscribe, not when the releases come out.

True. Also, if you read the fine print, GS subscription does not guarantee getting the next upgrade "free". However it has been pointed out to me by resellers that GS will do everything it can to make sure that subscription purchasers will get the next upgrade free. There are technical accounting reasons for why they can't make the promise but if they don't give subscribers free upgrades, there would be such an uproar that they would alienate the core of their users. I doubt they will do this.

[Anonymous]

Chazz wrote:
..However it has been pointed out to me by resellers that GS will do everything it can to make sure that subscription purchasers will get the next upgrade free...

So, if they don't guarantee upgrades what is the benefit of subscribing?

Dan K

[TomWaltz]

Dan wrote:

Chazz wrote:
..However it has been pointed out to me by resellers that GS will do everything it can to make sure that subscription purchasers will get the next upgrade free...

So, if they don't guarantee upgrades what is the benefit of subscribing?

Dan K

I think that leaves priority tech support, key insurance, and a few CADImage add-ons?

The agreement says you only get upgrades during the term of the subscription... it would stink, but there is no requirement in the agreement that an upgrade would come out in that time...

[Chazz]

Dan wrote:
So, if they don't guarantee upgrades what is the benefit of subscribing?

Subscription=US$645
Upgrade =US$795

$150 is worth much these days but it still buys lunch.

Plus the subscription offers a bunch of stuff (priority Tech support, Key Insurance, Training Guide, bla bla) that may or may not be worth much depending on your situation. None of it is worth much to me but the $150 is not insignificant (18% discount).

[TomWaltz]

Chazz wrote:

Dan wrote:
So, if they don't guarantee upgrades what is the benefit of subscribing?

Subscription=US$645
Upgrade =US$795

$150 is worth much these days but it still buys lunch.

Plus the subscription offers a bunch of stuff (priority Tech support, Key Insurance, Training Guide, bla bla) that may or may not be worth much depending on your situation. None of it is worth much to me but the $150 is not insignificant (18% discount).

... as long as an upgrade comes out during that time.... otherwise you paid $645 for tech support, key insurance, and a training guide.

[Anonymous]

Chazz wrote:

Dan wrote:
So, if they don't guarantee upgrades what is the benefit of subscribing?

Subscription=US$645
Upgrade =US$795

$150 is worth much these days but it still buys lunch.

Ok...before I say this let make a qualifying statement...I love Graphisoft's product, Archicad, and I really like the people who represent it, but...

I got caught up in the hype of saving a $100 dollars by buying it early...seemed like a good thing to do at the time. I received it in the mail and have held off installing it until I'm comfortable its "fully functional" and "stable" (hence my signiture line).

I've been watching the discussions online from those venturing souls who have faithfully moved forward with version 10 and I'm still not convinced I can move to it without experincing little problem issues. I guess I wish I hadn't tried to save the $100 bucks 'cause it ain't worth the wait.

Bottomline: If I buy new software and it causes me to lose time on a project because it isn't ready for prime time, then it's not worth the $100 dollars in savings....I guess what I'm really saying is that getting the latest versions of "untested" ArchiCAD because you have a subscription is not necessarily beneficial.

P.S. now I'm waiting on the 3rd hotfix

Dan K

[Chazz]

TomWaltz wrote:
as long as an upgrade comes out during that time....otherwise you paid $645 for tech support, key insurance, and a training guide.

This is the interpretation if you read the contract, it's true. However, I have been "assured" by resellers that subscribers WILL be upgraded regardless when the upgrade ships. They just can't really put it in writing. Graphisoft has much more to loose in this case if they screw the users. So it's a pretty safe bet to subscribe, IM(NS)HO. TALK TO YOUR RESELLER.

Additionally, I want to support these people to write good (or at least better) software. The subscription model is a superior way to do this and as a community we should all take that into account. Or at least think about it.

[nearly irrelevant sidetrack].....

I'm a member of a CSA (community supported agriculture) farm. That means I pay a farmer ahead of time to grow my vegetables. In essence, I'm joining him in the risk and hope that this will be a good year and that he will be able to keep greens on my table through the season. There is no guarantee that there won't be a flood or that something bad won't happen but I want him to succeed so I give him my vote of confidence with my money. This year we had late rains so the pears crop was poor but the strawberries were superb.

If you want GS to succeed (and given Revit's momentum, I wouldn't even give'm even odds in 10 years time) then you should invest in an try to partner with the company.