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

[Achille Pavlidis]

Graeme wrote:
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.

we received the offer from our local reseller, the price offered is 440€ almost 530$ plus VAT 19% thats about 630$ per license, more than in the US... (of course VAT is deductable)

Gerald wrote:
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.

on the other hand i was told there is no time limitation for the offer, no mater when the next release will be out...

[Anonymous]

Look.
For me this would be the last archicad upgrade if archicad is not impoved ALOT. i mean the improvement should be tremendous. If not. Archicad 10 would be my last upgrade and will be searching for another BIM system with better dynamics.

For now i just have to hope.

[Anonymous]

My vendor sent me an e-mail that offered the annual subscription for $795.
So it seems that each vendor has some flexibilty in pricing.

Isn't it odd that the vendors that frequent here haven't chimed in?

I also got the impression (probably wrong) that this could also be done in lieu of "purchacing" ArchiCAD for $3800+ per copy. Even if this approach required a 5 or 6 year contract it sure would make sense to me from a capital budgeting process.

Does anyone know if this is so?

[Anonymous]

I highly doubt that as such a contract will be a bear to enforce unless electronically, and will also cause a tidal wave of orders I also doubt GS can handle. It could also be seen as a sign of meager offerings in V10. All speculation so I'll contact my reseller.

[TomWaltz]

Rashid wrote:
I highly doubt that as such a contract will be a bear to enforce unless electronically, and will also cause a tidal wave of orders I also doubt GS can handle. It could also be seen as a sign of meager offerings in V10. All speculation so I'll contact my reseller.

It seems like a lot of manufacturers are heading this route. It provides them a more steady stream of income instead of a spike every couple years,

[Anonymous]

Well anything over $2,000 is available with "financing" these days.. Look at Rooms To Go As long as the first Year's volume makes up for the cashflow hit.

ps.. I am 200!.. and I got a house... Yay!

[Rakela Raul]

My vendor sent me an e-mail that offered the annual subscription for $795.

confusing, isnt.
i deleted this comment because my reseller confused even more

[Stephen Dolbee]

Graphisoft, are you listening? We need more details on this subscription offering!!!!

[Anonymous]

I got another email from my vendor (below) and then called him to asked how this applied to new copies. Bottom line it doesn't. Buy and the pay this annually to get upgrades.

Dave

"Subscriptions and Upgrades
The new Graphisoft ArchiCAD Subscription Program helps you stay current on new product releases while more easily managing your budget. Normally $695 per year, through September 30, 2005 Graphisoft is offering several introductory promotions -- see below for details. At the bottom of this page, you can view the actual subscription agreement.

A single yearly fee of $695 delivers all ArchiCAD upgrades released during your subscription, plus several other benefits:

· ArchiCAD 10 (and future major release upgrades) – Value $595
· Key Insurance (replaces your ArchiCAD key if lost or stolen) – Value $100
· 3D Profiler Tool (create and manage 3D forms more easily) – Value $99
· Virtual Tutor (instructional DVD with 8 hours of tutorials) – Value $129
· Priority Technical Support (get help ahead of non-subscribers) – Value $100 (actually --priceless!)
Total value: $1023

Yearly subscription fee: $695
Renewal of the ArchiCAD Subscription program is optional. It will renew automatically each year at $695 per license unless cancelled.

Graphisoft plans to deliver major product upgrades at least once each year, and vary the bonus add-ons (e.g. Virtual Tutor and 3D Profiler in the current offer) so that Subscription remains a consistently good value for our customers.
To become a part of the ArchiCAD Subscription Program or for questions, please call (VENDOR NAME & # DELETED) ArchiCAD Upgrade & Subscription Promotion......thru September 30, 2005
During the month of September Graphisoft is offering a subscription promotion that offers great value as you prepare to upgrade to ArchiCAD 10 in 2006:

· ArchiCAD 9 users save $200
· ArchiCAD 8 or 8.1 users save $398
· ArchiCAD 7 or previous users save $547.50
ArchiCAD 9 Users >> SAVE $200
· Subscription cost (per license, first year special offer) $695 - $200 = $495
Get over $1000 in products and services (see list above) for only $495!

Offer good through September 30, 2005.
ArchiCAD Users on Previous Versions >> SAVE up to $547.50
ArchiCAD 9 Upgrade: SAVE 50%- when purchased with an ArchiCAD Subscription

· Upgrade from ArchiCAD 8 or 8.1: $595 x 50% = $297.50
· Upgrade from ArchiCAD 7 or previous: $895 x 50% = $447.50

Plus: SAVE $100 on the ArchiCAD Subscription Program

· Subscription cost (per license, first year special offer) $695 - $100 = $595

Typical comparison:
· Basic upgrade from ArchiCAD 8 or 8.1 to version 9: $595,
· Upgrade from ArchiCAD 8 or 8.1 to version 9 with subscription: $892.50
· The bottom line: for less than $300 more, you get version 10 in a few months, plus all the benefits of subscription!

A more dramatic case:
· Basic upgrade from ArchiCAD 7 or earlier to version 9: $895,
· Upgrade from ArchiCAD 7 or earlier to version 9 with subscription: $1042.50
· The bottom line: for less than $150 more, you get version 10 in a few months, plus all the benefits of subscription!

Save hundreds of dollars!
Offer good through September 30, 2005."

WHERE DO I SIGN

[TomWaltz]

Dave wrote:
During the month of September Graphisoft is offering a subscription promotion that offers great value as you prepare to upgrade to ArchiCAD 10 in 2006:
·<snip> Subscription cost (per license, first year special offer) $695 - $200 = $495

For $495, you can use the product you already paid for unitl the upgrade comes out!! On top of that, your subscription will be at least half-over before there is an upgrade!! How exciting!

They act like there's a value to this other stuff. Yes, 3D Profiler and Virtual Tutor have a definable value: Their retail cost. What if you never lose a key or call teh support? What if you've used Archicad for years, and don't care about Virtual Tutor? Now you're paying $495 to use a $99 product until the next upgrade comes out.

I do like the idea, I just think it would make sense to start this kind of program closer to the actual release date of the next version.