Alibre CEO Greg Milliken recently used his personal blog to take Autodesk to task for its product retirement policy. Here's a sample from "Thank You, Sir, May I Have Another?":
Folks, there are way too many choices out there to accept this type of customer hostile behavior. I have often mentioned forced retirements by Autodesk in the past, often in a tongue in cheek manner, but this really stinks. How far will Autodesk customers let them go before they say no?
Milliken's comments sometimes border on the crude, and we should remember that he has an economic stake in the argument; he's the CEO of a CAD company. Nevertheless, his comments represent the opinion of a significant number of Autodesk users. Despite great sales in recent quarters, Autodesk continues to struggle with this issue.
Annual software licensing is a good idea. It gives both the vendor and the user a predictable budgeting schedule. Bentley, in particular, has used this method for years to excellent benefit for all. But forced retirement of software does not need to be tied and should not be tied to annual licensing. If users don't see value in the next release, they should not be punished for staying with their current version. It should be the vendor's burden to make the next version so enticing, users want to pony up.
--RSN
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