topic Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES in Perpetual License Changes (Read Only)

SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

don — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 23:57:08 GMT

I have an annual subscription license for the Archtecture Design Suite Standard Edition, a product that was paid for outright as originally it was a perpetual license product. I pay for the annual subscription. If I want to upgrade the Suite to a premium suite at a later date, aside from the big uptick in subscription costs, how do I pay folr the Suite upgrade so it is owned outright just like the Standard Edition I currently have? Do I have to do this by a particular date, or is this option always available as a subscription owner?

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

CatsChaiTea — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 01:46:32 GMT

Hi Don,

Would you double check the name of the suite you own? We don't have an Architecture Design Suite. Maybe you mean AutoCAD Design Suite? Or Building Design Suite? I want to be sure it isn't one of our older Architecture Suites that were discontinued a couple of years ago. This would affect the answer.

Thanks,

Catherine

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

don — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 17:11:04 GMT

Hi Catherine,

Sorry about that, it is Building Design Suite Standard 2016

Best,

Don

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

CatsChaiTea — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 17:37:06 GMT

Hi Don. I am so sorry about this belated response to your post. I know I wrote you back, but it appears I didn't actually post it. My apologies.

Our announced end of sale of perpetual licenses on Jan 31, 2016 will not affect your ability to crossgrade from Building Design Suite Standard 2016 to either BDS Premium or Ultimate. However, our strategy is to gradually move away from perpetual licenses sales for all products over the next 12 to 24 months. When we end the sales of new perpetual licenses for BDS Premium, that will be your last day to crossgrade. We have not announced this date yet, but when we do it will be many months before the actual date giving you time to plan your future purchasing decisions.

One other recommendation is to be sure to continue Maintenance Subscription. We no longer offer a way to crossgrade your product if it isn't the current version. In other words, with Maintenance Subscription we will keep your BDSS license current so you are always eligible to crossgrade it to the current version of another product.

Hope this helps. Sorry again for not getting you an answer more quickly.

Catherine

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

don — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 19:22:17 GMT

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for responding!

What happens to those who want to cross grade or upgrade after phase out,
how do the access premium from standard after that date?

Is it just by higher or multiple (per seat) subscription rates, or do you
have to buy a seat as well? It's not clear to me from the site.

Is this like Adobe where you pay (they charge monthly) and that entitles you
to access to software sets purely by annula subscription price, without ever
having to buy a seat for a specific program/suite again? On a per seat per
subscription fee basis I assume?

Best,

Don

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

CatsChaiTea — Thu, 11 Jun 2015 21:40:36 GMT

It may be too far out to give you a definitive answer about your options when we end sales of new perpetual licenses for suites. There is still much of our path that is not yet written. Looking into my crystal ball, I believe your options for switching to premium from standard will be to begin a Desktop Subscription or an upcoming "network subscription". You do not surrender your perpetual license when you start a Desktop or network Subscription. You would begin a new subscription for BDS Premium without giving up your perpetual licenses for BDS Standard. Your last statement is mostly correct. Our Desktop Subscription and "network subscription" options are "pay as you go", where the duration of the license (or seat) is equal to the term of the subscription. We allow you to pay for your subscription each month, each quarter, annually, every 2-years or every 3-years. Pick the term that is right for you.

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

don — Fri, 12 Jun 2015 18:31:10 GMT

So, if I understand you correctly, then instead of buying an upgraded seat for premium or ultimate, I can wait and just pay the higher subscription rate to have the additional programs, which I assume I download, and therefore never have to buy a seat again, as long as I rent the seat on a perpetual basis?

As opposed to owning it outright?

What happens to the software if you have upgraded through subscription to a higher level suite that you have installed on your machine(s)?

If your subscription lapses does the software become dysfunctional or just cease to receive regular upgrades?

If your sub lapses for 3 years and you then renew, do you have to pay for the missing years, or just start up again with access and coverage going forward?

Best,

Don

Re: SUBSCRIPTION PRODUCT UPGRADES

CatsChaiTea — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 01:02:11 GMT

Hi Don,

I'll take your questions individually.

Q - So, if I understand you correctly, then instead of buying an upgraded seat for premium or ultimate, I can wait and just pay the higher subscription rate to have the additional programs, which I assume I download, and therefore never have to buy a seat again, as long as I rent the seat on a perpetual basis?

A - You are correct, but I'm not sure it is your best option. You can continue to use the current license you have for BDS Standard indefinitely, and when you need Premium or Ultimate you could start a Desktop Subscription which gives you acccess to the additional programs so long as you continue to renew the agreement. However, unless you have another person that can use the BDS Standard license, you would probably better off crossgrading your BDS-Standard perpetual license to Premium or Ultimate and keep renewing your Maintenance Subscription agreement.

Q - As opposed to owning it outright?

A - I recommend getting the most from any licenses you already own first. When you want to add licenses you have two options. Use Desktop Subscription or purchase more perpetual licenses as long as it is before the day we end those sales. Keep your Maintenance Subscription current for any perpetual licenses you own.

Q - What happens to the software if you have upgraded through subscription to a higher level suite that you have installed on your machine(s)?

A - If you upgrade any perpetual license to a higher level suite, you are getting a perpetual license to use that new higher level suite. Nothing happens to that right, even after we end the sale of new perpetual licenses. If you have an active Maintenance Subscription agreement at the time you upgrade, you can move your Maintenance Subscription over to the new higher level suite.

Q - If your subscription lapses does the software become dysfunctional or just cease to receive regular upgrades?

A - For this question I have to give two answers, because it depends on which type of subscription. If you allow a Maintenance Subscription to expire, you lose regular updates, but the version of the software you own is still available to you. If you allow a Desktop Subscription to expire, you lose the ability to use the software.

Q - If your sub lapses for 3 years and you then renew, do you have to pay for the missing years, or just start up again with access and coverage going forward?

A - For this I will also give two answers. If your Maintenance Subscription expires there will be no option to renew it 3 years later or even one year later. If your Desktop Subscription expires, you can come back in 3 years no problem. You don't pay for the years you didn't use it.

I hope I have addressed your questions

Catherine