That is a very interesting situation. I was in one that is a little similar to yours, but with different software. We even looked at selling our license privately, but the license transfer fee from the software mfg was a little steep. So keep that in mind as well. As far as acad, don't forget that acad Mechanical somes with the suite. We upgraded to inventor suite about a year ago, and at first i wondered why acad Mech. comes with it, after the last couple of weeks of messing around with it, now I know why. I think that all of the content center stuff (dynamic blocks) are very useful, and it is not that hard to create your own and add to the library. So in short acad Mech. is acad just with alot of stuff that you don't have to create. Also, you don't have to work in the acad Mech. enviroment, you can select regular acad, just with the new user interface. I still have to give autodesk credit for at least keeping the basics of acad there, just a new user look.
As I have converted to IV, and it does work for us. But, I still do use the 2d acad side of it, as there are features while creating a drawing that IV does not have yet. The subscription side of it is a coin toss. I work for a company that can afford the yearly cost, but I do think that one could get along without it. I don't know if you have already paid for the subscription, but keep in mind if you have not that it was my understanding that you had one year from the time of purchase of IV suite to purchase the subscription package. ( check with your re-seller though) So that could be an option, if available.
Since you haven't had the time to get started with IV, is there an option to bring on another operator that is familair with IV to keep it up and making the company revenue?? Hope things work out...
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