Following the path blazed by mainstream software stalwarts, Autodesk Inc. has introduced a new Flexible
Software Delivery model for AutoCAD in an effort to make timely product updates
and bug fixes more readily available to users.
AutoCAD subscription customers are now eligible to receive
earlier access to new features, fixes and updates automatically via the online
Autodesk Subscription Center portal. The
delivery approach, which mimics that of software leaders like Microsoft Corp. and Symantec Corp., for the first time lets
AutoCAD users easily select specific new feature sets or standard updates
without the pain and complexity of orchestrating a major product upgrade. Given
that 75 percent of the AutoCAD user base comprises subscription customers, it makes
sense to offer such a service given that most have had to wait an average of
six months to get access to a major upgrade, according to Eric Stover, product
line manager for the Autodesk Platform group.
"The idea is to provide more frequent upgrades, not wait
until the next release," Stover says. "When work is done, we can provide
access to it right away."
As part of the Subscription Bonus Pack piece of the new
service, AutoCAD customers will be able to pick and choose which bonus packs of
features to install, providing them with greater flexibility in how they deploy
software. The flexible method of software delivery allows Autodesk to break up
new functionality into components based on niche requirements and tasks, so customers
can opt for specific bonus packs that best meet their needs. "There's a lot of
overhead associated with the deployment of a large release of AutoCAD," Stover
says. "With this way, customers can choose the bonus pack that fits the task
and deploy and train on individual features ... instead of having to go through a
whole upgrade."
The second piece of the new delivery method involves getting
automatic and regular updates, including patches and bug fixes. "Now customers
don't have to wait for a large release in order to get performance tuning," he
adds. "By virtue of engaging in a subscription, they'll have access to
[updates] sooner than the rest of the world."
While many mainstream software providers have adopted this
method, most CAD vendors have not. The first AutoCAD Subscription Bonus Pack
was released in July, and Autodesk has plans to release a regular stream going
forward. Officials would not comment, however, on whether this same software
delivery model would be adopted for Autodesk
Inventor or other Autodesk products.
For CAD users, the biggest benefit of the Flexible Delivery
approach is the ability to obtain bug fixes quickly. "This is critical for all
CAD managers to help keep their workflow on track," says Ken Versprille,
Ph.D., partner and PLM research director at Collaborative
Product Development Associates, a PLM consulting company. "Without [bug
fixes], they often have to do complicated workarounds that take extra time and
effort."
Tweet This
0 
