Should I upgrade to v11 now, or wait for v12?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I work for a small residential firm and we were advised to upgrade to v11 for the added curved profile tools, but now that v12 is on the horizon, my boss is wondering whether we should wait for it to come out before upgrading our v10. We currently use AutoDesk2007 but I am ready to change now to ArchiCad. We have had ArchiCad v10 in a box on the shelf for almost a year now. It is mocking me silently as I continue to use AutoCad.

Should we:
1. Upgrade to v11 now and get started or,
2. Wait for v12

What improvements will v12 have over v11 and exactly when is it coming out? I thank you all for your help.

[Thomas Holm]

Well, I don't see your logic. You tell me you'll upgrade anyway because you want to stay current.
But you refuse the lower price you get for committing to your own decision by way of subscribing?

Still, it's a free world.

(Edited for better English)

[Anonymous]

No. The point is that it's NOT a lower price.

It's a HIGHER price than previous upgrades, before, and an EVEN HIGHER price than that to do without the subscription, thereby forcing one to take a subscription for the so-called benefits.

So - keep the price for the upgrades purely that - don't add in extras and then build in an extra cost and say it's a discounted price because without it you pay penalties - as Steve says a penalty for merely upgrading without frills.

[Thomas Holm]

So you want Graphisoft to sell you the upgrade "without frills" cheaper

- despite that it costs them more to take the risk to develop without pre-payment (and commitment to upgrade) from you?

And you also want them to include direct bug support in your cheap "no frills" upgrade

- despite that this costs them more, than to have the resellers filter out all common questions and misunderstandings (there are a lot you know, you've helped a lot of people with such in this forum)?

I understand that GS wants you to subscribe. It is less costly for them, which means they can offer it cheaper. I also understand that they try to package it attractively, even if the resellers have a lot to say about the packaging in each market.

Looking at the market alternatives, I find GS's offer reasonable.

[Anonymous]

I can see what you're saying.

Due to environments I've lived in until 18months ago, I've always used my own software while working for employers. It was that or use their AutoCAD. So I've always had to take on the expense myself - and I used it for the same salary no matter whether my productivity went up or down. It was my risk and I took it on.

Since moving to an ArchiCAD-based company, I now use the software in the office - but I still upgrade my own key at home, because I've learnt that you never know what the future holds. I'm spending a whole lot of money for all of this - when I just want my home ArchiCAD up to date. Bug support and whatever else is related to my work which is covered by the company. I'm not even using my home version - it's dormant for the time being, but I still have to cover the costs I never had to before.

So in my instance, yes - it's a ripoff.

All because I may one day wish to continue with my own software and I'd like it to remain up-to-date. This may clarify for you why I, as a salaried employee, resent enforced charges that I never used to cover, but even coming from a 3rd world country found the no-frills was very expensive, but worth it for the sake of not having to use other software that I don't enjoy.

[Rakela Raul]

now that i read all this i realized that i made a mistake cancelling subscription

what i should have done is, keep paying subscription and direct the distributor not to send me ANYTHING until i pick the version that i want

no kidding now!! , i appreciate vmuch the fact that subscription is optional and that you have the option to upgrade every 2 or 3 years if you wish.
one reason i like GS

[Anonymous]

One question that popped up based on reading these posts: Is the upgrade from 10 to 12 the same cost as an upgrade from 9 to 12? We have two versions in the office. Similarly, would the cost be the same if I upgraded my 10 to 11 as it would be if I waited and upgraded the 10 to 12 this spring?

Again, I appreciate all input to this thread. It is very informative to read the thoughts of veteran users.

[Thomas Holm]

kimfromzim wrote:
So in my instance, yes - it's a ripoff.

OK. I would also like it to be cheaper, being self-employed. But my wish isn't always in line with market logic.
I think GS's offerings are OK given the market circumstances. But there are national differences. In my country, subscriptions are offered as 24 months minimum, which is more to the point. I can also choose to get it without the on-line support from the distributor. That is offered separately, and I don't use it since when I have to ask it's (almost) always a bug that I've found. They have to forward that to GS anyway.
What you perhaps could do is influence your reseller to re-package. A person with your knowledge could perhaps get a deal where you participate in their support?

[Thomas Holm]

gorilla_monsoon wrote:
Is the upgrade from 10 to 12 the same cost as an upgrade from 9 to 12? We have two versions in the office. Similarly, would the cost be the same if I upgraded my 10 to 11 as it would be if I waited and upgraded the 10 to 12 this spring?

You must ask your reseller. To my mind, and because of market logic, it will always be more expensive the more versions you jump and the longer you wait. It's called inflation!
The difference in dealing with Graphisoft, vs. Autodesk, is that with GS you're never completely dumped, and you always have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Mr. Holm,

I visited Sweden a few years back and stayed in the Solna Centrum area (that was the transit stop name) near the Football stadium. I loved the city and also Gotland. My wife did a Rotary exchange program for 5 weeks and she travelled above the arctic circle. I believe there is much that we could learn from Sweden and I hope to return some day.

[Thomas Holm]

You're welcome!