Autodesk Retires Multi-user Subscriptions and Maintenance Plans

On August 7, 2020, Autodesk, like most other software as a service (SaaS) companies, is launching new subscription plans that are based on people and retiring plans based on serial numbers. This news is not new for single users who purchase new licenses.  They are already using software which is designed for named users.  However, this changes how multi-user (formerly network) licenses will be handled. 

Below is quick reference to some frequently asked questions:

1. What’s changing?

• Subscriptions with multi-user access and maintenance plans will retire on May 7, 2021, and cannot be further renewed.
• As part of retiring maintenance, the last version of the Design & Creation Suites will be released in April 2020 for customers to download, and the last date to renew Suites will be April 16, 2020.
• Starting February 29, 2020, Autodesk will no longer sell new 2 or 3-year subscriptions with multi-user access or allow renewals. Starting May 7, 2020, Autodesk will no longer sell new annual subscriptions with multi-user access

2. What do I need to do to transition to named user?

• For customers who own a subscription with multi-user access or maintenance, at your first renewal after May 7, 2020, Autodesk will help you transition to a plan for named users through trade-in offers that keep your costs consistent today and predictable to 2028*.

3. What is the standalone maintenance trade-in offer?

At your first renewal, before May 7, 2021:

• Trade-in one standalone maintenance seat for one standard subscription for one named user at a price similar to what you’re paying in 2019 for maintenance. Then, renew at an ongoing discount to 2028*.
• At time of trade-in, choose to upgrade to an industry collection to get a comprehensive selection of tools to help you meet any project challenge—now and in the future.
• At time of trade-in or later, choose to upgrade to a higher plan for more advanced features, such as single sign-on and detailed user reporting.

What if I don’t take the standalone maintenance trade-in offer?

• If you do not take the trade-in offer, maintenance prices will increase by 20% on May 7, 2020. Subscriptions with multi-user access and maintenance plans will retire on May 7, 2021 and cannot be further renewed.

4. What is the multi-user or network maintenance trade-in offer? 

At your first renewal only, after May 7, 2020:

• Trade-in one multi-user subscription or network maintenance seat for two standard subscriptions for one named user each at a similar SRP you’re paying today for your existing seat or subscription.
• For example, if you have 20 multi-user subscriptions, you can trade them in for 40 standard subscriptions for 40 named users at a similar SRP you’re paying today.
• Then, renew at an ongoing discount to 2028.
• At time of trade-in, choose to upgrade to an industry collection to get a comprehensive selection of tools to help you meet any project challenge—now and in the future.
• At time of trade-in or later, choose to upgrade to a higher plan for more advanced features, such as single sign-on and detailed user reporting.
  
  

What if I don’t take the multi-user/network trade-in offer at my first renewal that occurs after May 7, 2020?

• If you do not take the trade-in, at your second renewal, you can trade-in one discounted multi-user subscription (as a result of the Move to Subscription offer) or one network maintenance seat for one standard subscription for one named user at a similar SRP you’re paying today for your existing seat or subscription.
• If you do not take the trade-in and keep your network maintenance seats, maintenance prices will increase by 20% on May 7, 2020. Subscriptions with multi- user access and maintenance plans will retire on May 7, 2021 and cannot be further renewed.

5. What happens after the switch? How do I get the software installed and activated on my company’s computers

It’s actually a fairly simple process that is all explained here: Managing Autodesk Desktop Subscription Single-User Licenses