Subscription pricing for Archicad

[Stephen Dolbee]

Well, after reading about Revit's subscription pricing and many negative comments about it, now Archicad is doing the same thing. We just received notice from our reseller the opportunity to "subscribe" for the low price or $495 if done before end of Sept. $695 after that. I don't know if this is a good thing or bad. If promised a major upgrade each subscription year, that might not be a bad thing. I didn't see any comment about that, though. Anyone know?

Steve

[Richard Morrison]

Scott wrote:

"Purchase" isn't a good term, because you never really own anything with Revit;

sure you do...you own the version of the software that you purchased.<snip>

Ha, ha. Sure you do..... Just try to sell what you've got and you'll find out exactly how much of Revit you "own". All you actually own is the right to keep on using old software. But if you can't sell your license, I don't consider this "ownership". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Autodesk allows license transfers, unless you sell your whole company.

[Anonymous]

This subscription system is fine as long as the vendor allocates properly and delivers upgrades on schedule. Things get interesting when users feel they are paying for little improvement. If it allows GS more ammo for development, even though every reason other than more money for the vendor are all one hears.

I do wonder about yearly upgrades though.. Those frequent Revit upgrades must play havoc with users...

[Anonymous]

I think that many would go for the subscription if they knew that some real substantial advancements and changes would routinely happen. I think it is a good business model for Graphisoft to stabalize their income. I just want to know that it will be worth the investment. If we can just expect the same cycle of developement its hard to justify going with the subscription.

[Gerald Hoffman]

We Canadians are being offered the same subsription. After speaking with the Canadian Dealer today I have decided to wait until V-10 is released. My understanding is this is not due till the 1st quarter of 2006. This could be anywhere from 3 - 6 months. The subscripition is for 12 months and would end before the next major release so we would always be in the unknown about what it is we are being asked to pay for.

I feel it would be fair for GS to ask for an early adoption of the subscription model if they made the beginning of the 12 months coincide with the release of V-10. They could then raise some funds and give the users some idea of what they are paying for. Otherwise we are being asked to pay a subscription fee for a version we have already paid for.

As I understand it we will still be able to pay for the upgrade in the usual way although we would probalbly not get some of the perks. Individuals must decide if these extras are worth it for them.

Just some thoughts and would like to hear if my information is misunderstood.

[Scott Davis]

Richard wrote:

Scott wrote:

"Purchase" isn't a good term, because you never really own anything with Revit;

sure you do...you own the version of the software that you purchased.<snip>

Ha, ha. Sure you do..... Just try to sell what you've got and you'll find out exactly how much of Revit you "own". All you actually own is the right to keep on using old software. But if you can't sell your license, I don't consider this "ownership". Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe Autodesk allows license transfers, unless you sell your whole company.

Can you sell your license of Windows? How about Word? No? Photoshop, either. I really don't think there is much software at all that you can transfer or sell your 'ownership' of.

If I were in the market, I wouldn't look to buy an 'old' copy of Revit anyway, or any software for that matter. Software changes and develops so rapidly that year-old software is nearly 'worthless' as far a a perceived resell value.

[Anonymous]

In Australia I have been offered all upgrades from my current 8.1 license for 2 years for $150/month. This is $3600 plus tax of 10%, ie, $3960. This is much more than the $495 being offered in the US. I assume it is $495/year, ie $990 for 2 years?

It is not consistent pricing for each country. I have read also that AC is expensive in Europe. One would have thought that with the internet crossing all borders pricing would be comparative.

[TomWaltz]

Scott wrote:
Can you sell your license of Windows? How about Word? No? Photoshop, either. I really don't think there is much software at all that you can transfer or sell your 'ownership' of.

If I were in the market, I wouldn't look to buy an 'old' copy of Revit anyway, or any software for that matter. Software changes and develops so rapidly that year-old software is nearly 'worthless' as far a a perceived resell value.

{oops, quoted the wrong part}

You can currently sell an Archicad license. Graphisoft charges a "transfer fee", but it can be done. I don't know how much the fee is, but I thought I saw it was a coupld hundred dollars somewhere.

[Anonymous]

Tom,

That was Richard's rebuttal regarding Autodesk..

Gerald wrote:

As I understand it we will still be able to pay for the upgrade in the usual way although we would probalbly not get some of the perks. Individuals must decide if these extras are worth it for them.

I think the only perk for subscribing now is the $200 discount. You should still get the addons if you do it in the Spring, but for more, as I imagine they still will be deal sweeteners.

[Stephen Dolbee]

outpostarc wrote:
I think that many would go for the subscription if they knew that some real substantial advancements and changes would routinely happen. I think it is a good business model for Graphisoft to stabalize their income. I just want to know that it will be worth the investment. If we can just expect the same cycle of developement its hard to justify going with the subscription.

That is my concern. I think we just need some clarification from GS.

Steve

[Stephen Dolbee]

Rashid wrote:
I think the only perk for subscribing now is the $200 discount. You should still get the addons if you do it in the Spring, but for more, as I imagine they still will be deal sweeteners.

Would we get the add-ons now, for version 9? That would be a "deal sweatener".
Steve