AutoCAD Civil 3D vs. Bentley Microstation V8i License Usage Policy

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to determine if Autodesk has any usage restrictions on their AutoCAD products.

My company is currently using Microstation V8i/Geopak, and if you're familiar with Bentley then you know how they have a strict usage policy that monitors how many hours or the day you are using it, and if they deem that you are using it too much (overtime evenings or weekends) they'll hit you with a hefty bill and tell you that you need more licenses.

I know that Autodesk requires yearly subscriptions now, but it's my understanding that Autodesk does not have a usage/time policy in place.  Essentially I can purchase AutoCAD and leave it running in my computer all day, every day, and Autodesk doesn't care as long as I pay that yearly fee.  Our management has heard conflicting stories on this and I'm trying to clarify if this is true or not.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to determine if Autodesk has any usage restrictions on their AutoCAD products.

My company is currently using Microstation V8i/Geopak, and if you're familiar with Bentley then you know how they have a strict usage policy that monitors how many hours or the day you are using it, and if they deem that you are using it too much (overtime evenings or weekends) they'll hit you with a hefty bill and tell you that you need more licenses.

I know that Autodesk requires yearly subscriptions now, but it's my understanding that Autodesk does not have a usage/time policy in place.  Essentially I can purchase AutoCAD and leave it running in my computer all day, every day, and Autodesk doesn't care as long as I pay that yearly fee.  Our management has heard conflicting stories on this and I'm trying to clarify if this is true or not.

[dgorsman]

You are "sort of" right.  You can use the Desktop/single-user license as much as you want without any kind of logging, and same with the conventional Network/multi-user licenses.  In addition to those types, there is also a token-based licensing system for Enterprise customers which *does* charge by both number of users and how long they use it.  It's only practical for truly large numbers of licenses.  If you aren't in that class, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[dgorsman]

You are "sort of" right.  You can use the Desktop/single-user license as much as you want without any kind of logging, and same with the conventional Network/multi-user licenses.  In addition to those types, there is also a token-based licensing system for Enterprise customers which *does* charge by both number of users and how long they use it.  It's only practical for truly large numbers of licenses.  If you aren't in that class, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

[natasha.l · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous, 

Autodesk does not limit usage hours or charge based on the amount of usage. Most Autodesk software subscription terms are available as a monthly, yearly or 3 year subscription period & before the end of the term period you would renew or you are set to auto-renew. 

To get more in-depth information on subscriptions please review this article.

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[natasha.l · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous, 

Autodesk does not limit usage hours or charge based on the amount of usage. Most Autodesk software subscription terms are available as a monthly, yearly or 3 year subscription period & before the end of the term period you would renew or you are set to auto-renew. 

To get more in-depth information on subscriptions please review this article.

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[Anonymous]

Thank you both.

I'm not familiar with Enterprise, but from a quick search it looks like one company that benefited from it was a firm employing 3,000 employees.  We are not that large and we would be looking at 15-20 max users tops at any one time, and that's a high estimate.  I think the multi-user network licensing is probably their best option.

In googling more information on the Enterprise token model I ran across a blog or two that speculated Autodesk moving towards a time based model for all licensing, hopefully that does not come to pass as Bentley are sharks with this model squeezing every penny out of their user base while it lasts. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you both.

I'm not familiar with Enterprise, but from a quick search it looks like one company that benefited from it was a firm employing 3,000 employees.  We are not that large and we would be looking at 15-20 max users tops at any one time, and that's a high estimate.  I think the multi-user network licensing is probably their best option.

In googling more information on the Enterprise token model I ran across a blog or two that speculated Autodesk moving towards a time based model for all licensing, hopefully that does not come to pass as Bentley are sharks with this model squeezing every penny out of their user base while it lasts. 

[dgorsman · Accepted solution]

For 15 - 20 users, network licensing is likely your best bet. If some of those are part time (software use, at least) you'll be able to get by with fewer licenses.  Being able to borrow a license means a user can be offline for longer than the 3-week "call home" period of the Desktop/stand-alone license type, and its better with companies that have strict internet access policies.  You'll be looking at longer term rental agreements though - I think the shortest for the network/multi-user license is 1 year.

While token/time-based licensing may look better with a glance (i.e. only use an hour a month, you only get charged a few dollars) the operational costs would still need to be covered so there would be a steep static/base cost being charged on top of that.  And the current models are charged by the day, not the hour or minute i.e. you run the program during a given day, you get charged for that day whether it's 10 minutes or 8 hours.

The Bentley model does have some advantages, in that if you need one or two extra people they can run without any delays.  And pulling licenses from their server did save us some extra IT work.  But you *do* have to stay on top of users who like to "fiddle around" or do "training" so they don't run out the budget.

[dgorsman · Accepted solution]

For 15 - 20 users, network licensing is likely your best bet. If some of those are part time (software use, at least) you'll be able to get by with fewer licenses.  Being able to borrow a license means a user can be offline for longer than the 3-week "call home" period of the Desktop/stand-alone license type, and its better with companies that have strict internet access policies.  You'll be looking at longer term rental agreements though - I think the shortest for the network/multi-user license is 1 year.

While token/time-based licensing may look better with a glance (i.e. only use an hour a month, you only get charged a few dollars) the operational costs would still need to be covered so there would be a steep static/base cost being charged on top of that.  And the current models are charged by the day, not the hour or minute i.e. you run the program during a given day, you get charged for that day whether it's 10 minutes or 8 hours.

The Bentley model does have some advantages, in that if you need one or two extra people they can run without any delays.  And pulling licenses from their server did save us some extra IT work.  But you *do* have to stay on top of users who like to "fiddle around" or do "training" so they don't run out the budget.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again.