Prompt user before charging tokens (FLEX)

[Gabriel_Watson]

Occasional/seasonal users are rarely aware of the workings of licensing and subscriptions/tokens, but as with any consumer product, they should be MADE aware of how much they are being charged for a service.

Right now we cannot even think of implementing FLEX before Autodesk implements some control to notify users before tokens are consumed/charged, for two reasons:
1) Whenever the user launches an application, they need to know how many tokens will be charged (and possibly their cost with it);

2) Whenever an application is left running by accident, the user should be prompted their time is expiring and the application should close before charging for more tokens (imagine a seasonal user who is out on vacation but left Inventor running on his Windows user that is locked).

From the Flex license tutorial video (https://www.autodesk.ca/en/benefits/flex)

Please and thank you.

[basdols]

Autodesk, please look at this idea, since this already is an issue which multiple clients are facing.

[Anonymous]

Agreed, this is needed. We are looking into the Flex plans and this might be a deal killer for us. Might have to keep some users on Viewer because we can't risk them accidently leaving the software open.

[johnivan]

Autodesk, it's very obvious that this is a great way for you to make more money.  But even the most basic software lets you know when you are about to be charged for something.   Please, fix it.

[mbagleyXPU9T]

Autodesk, this is essential, it is a very small expectation that the user is prompted to agree to using the tokens and on 24 hours there is a renewed request.  You need to reduce the burden on system administrators and not look like you are trying to catch people out. 

[stuartL36RS]

I just transitioned to flex thinking it would be the solution for me and not another corporate ploy to squeeze more money out of people. Shame as it could easily be a way to attract new users to autodesk.

Kids play around on the computer all the time and while it's easy to restrict what they do on the internet, spending money on games, etc. all they have to do is open CAD files and waste tokens / money

A simple splash screen showing your balance of tokens and a button to spend them would be the decent thing to do 

[sbrowne]

@autodesk 

It is ridiculous, that Autodesk is not more transparent with how, when, and the cost of services when tokens are used.

I have just spent two months trying to understand how and why we are being charged for tokens for Fusion.  Support STILL does not have an answer as to why we are STILL being charged tokens.

[roney_studio]

I am pro flex in general, but without some clear visual notification, I may not keep trying it. I'm too busy for this to not be upfront and clear.

[jwfreund87]

I have recently found that Flex Tokens will be consumed if the service "Fusion Team" is selected under the "Individually assigned items" because it is a service that is charged per day when assigned. See link below:

Fusion Teams Flex Tokens

By default, when assigning Flex to a user, ALL PRODUCTS are selected, so unless Fusion Team is UNSELECTED from the beginning, the user will consume tokens daily.

This is a "bug" that negatively affects customers, while directly benefitting Autodesk.

Flex Token usage needs to be clarified, and Defaults need to be changed to not incur charges automatically.

[MARCDOSSANTOS]

Seriously Autodesk? This was first requested three years ago and there's no efforts being made to implement it? This is clearly geared at profiting off users mistakenly opening, or leaving open, the software.

My guess is Autodesk will be facing a class action lawsuit on this eventually.

I'm going to look into a workaround of setting up a popup dialog box any time Autodesk software is run, so the user is at least prompted to think about whether they need the software. Of course, that does nothing on the back end, if the program is left running into the next day. If anyone else in the thread comes up with something of that nature first, please let us all know.

Thanks!

[ryan_snodgrass]

I couldn't agree more with the posts above and think this needs to be a priority for Autodesk to implement a solution to prevent unintended use of tokens. 

[briana_s_smith]

I absolutely agree! I just found out I had 6 other products running while I intended to use only one. I've used the product only 9 times and I am already at 70% usage users should absolutely be asked if we intend to open products before they open. 

[wgluger]

Well I have Flex Token account and just accidently left Revit open over a long weekend when I was on vacation so there goes several days worth of token when no work was being done! A splash pop-up doesn't seem like a big ask to protect small businesses who you claim that this Flex Token idea was built for...