3 ms·

I remember probably a decade ago being told by CAD people how much companies pay to run AutoCAD, and being completely shocked. I never realised there was any s

by motters 16y ago

I remember probably a decade ago being told by CAD people how much companies pay to run AutoCAD, and being completely shocked. I never realised there was any software so expensive. Based upon my observations in several engineering companies I'd say that Autodesk is one of the worst organisations when it comes to selling of software, very aggressively locking users in using strong-arm tactics.

wwortiz 16y ago
Pretty much all engineering software tends to come out to about $2k-$6k a seat which may seem quite expensive but when you get to modeling systems with a huge number of parts and such this software is invaluable and these engineering companies know this and therefore can charge this price. These companies are more than just autodesk, there is PTC and solidworks and MSCsoftware, I've heard from my professors that MSC's Adams software is something like $20k a seat and getting an educational discount or deal is extremely hard to come by.
- motters 16y ago
  It was a long time ago, but I remember having a conversation with the chief draughtsman at one company and him explaining with a tone of weary resignation how he needed to spend a large amount of money buying upgrades for AutoCAD even though his department didn't require any of the features it contained. The way that the software was being marketed was basically forcing him into paying Autodesk whether he wanted to or not - almost like the medieval practice of paying tribute to the local baron.
  - wwortiz 16y ago
    I'm guessing someone at the company he worked for deciding a reason for upgrading and whether or not it was a good reason I doubt it was completely forced, more probably the person who decided they needed to upgrade was found with a really good salesman or there was a legitimate reason for an upgrade. Either way I can't see the difference between upgrading engineering software and say upgrading an entire point of sales system for some new features or because of a good salesman. This kind of thing just seems to happen in business no matter the type, but a large portion of Autodesk software is sold through resellers and this is probably where the marketing issue comes into play.
seshagiric 16y ago
CATIA (from Dassault Systems) sells for more than $50K per seat. How about that?
- xilun666 16y ago
  Given the price of the engineer sitting on that seat, that remains reasonable.

by motters 16y ago

wwortiz 16y ago

Pretty much all engineering software tends to come out to about $2k-$6k a seat which may seem quite expensive but when you get to modeling systems with a huge number of parts and such this software is invaluable and these engineering companies know this and therefore can charge this price. These companies are more than just autodesk, there is PTC and solidworks and MSCsoftware, I've heard from my professors that MSC's Adams software is something like $20k a seat and getting an educational discount or deal is extremely hard to come by.

motters 16y ago
It was a long time ago, but I remember having a conversation with the chief draughtsman at one company and him explaining with a tone of weary resignation how he needed to spend a large amount of money buying upgrades for AutoCAD even though his department didn't require any of the features it contained. The way that the software was being marketed was basically forcing him into paying Autodesk whether he wanted to or not - almost like the medieval practice of paying tribute to the local baron.
- wwortiz 16y ago
  I'm guessing someone at the company he worked for deciding a reason for upgrading and whether or not it was a good reason I doubt it was completely forced, more probably the person who decided they needed to upgrade was found with a really good salesman or there was a legitimate reason for an upgrade. Either way I can't see the difference between upgrading engineering software and say upgrading an entire point of sales system for some new features or because of a good salesman. This kind of thing just seems to happen in business no matter the type, but a large portion of Autodesk software is sold through resellers and this is probably where the marketing issue comes into play.

seshagiric 16y ago

CATIA (from Dassault Systems) sells for more than $50K per seat. How about that?

xilun666 16y ago
Given the price of the engineer sitting on that seat, that remains reasonable.