Autodesk Transition to Named User

Beginning August 7th, 2020, Autodesk are retiring plans based on serial numbers (multi-user licencing/maintenance plans) and replacing them with named user plans. This represents the next phase for Autodesk in transforming their licencing model to align with many other SaaS providers. Named- or single-user licencing will take over as the Autodesk's primary access type for subscribers.

*Autodesk had delayed their transition to named user. This is due to the disruption caused by COVID-19, with Autodesk not wanting to cause any additional changes. Changes were originally due to take place on May 7th.

*In response to challenges associated with COVID-19, Autodesk have announced two changes for the transition to named user:

• Annual multi-user subscriptions (including Extra Territory Rights) may be renewed until August 7, 2022.
• Autodesk are accelerating efforts to include a cloud-based licence solution for occasional users in the second half of 2021.

There will be no changes to the following:

• Multi-user trade-in offer – 2:1 offer available at first renewal only
• Maintenance trade-in offer
• New annual or multi-year multi-user subscription policies – exceptions continue to be available indefinitely for customers with specific needs, including government
• Maintenance retirement date will remain at May 7, 2021

Read Autodesk's blog article for more information

Autodesk's 2-for-1 Offer:

At your first renewal date after August 7th 2020, Autodesk are offering a one time opportunity to trade-in your multi-user subscription / network maintenance plan for two named (single) user licences on a 2-for-1 basis.

To help you understand more about "what the Transition to Named User plan is, the 2-for-1 offer and what you need to do, please watch our webinar recordings below:

Autodesk's Transition to Named User | Licensing 2-for-1 Offer. In this session learn more about Autodesk's Transition to Named User and the Licensing 2-for-1 offer. Click here to watch recording.

Autodesk's Transition to Named User: What it is & what you need to do. In this session learn about Autodesk's Transition to Named User initiative and what you need to do to prepare for this change. Click here to watch recording.

What does this mean for me?

Depending on your current product, licencing model and access type, you will be impacted in different ways. An overview of potential impacts follows; however, every customer is different so please get in touch to discuss your specific situation and allow us to provide tailored advice.

Design & Creation Suite Customers (maintenance plan & subscription):

The 2021 version of Design & Creation Suites will be the last. Those on a subscription or maintenance plan will not be able to renew after April 16th, 2020. Subscription customers should move to the appropriate Industry Collection

Single-user Subscription Customers:

You can continue to renew your subscription, as these changes should not impact you.

Multi-user Subscription Customers:

• ​If your next renewal is before August 7th, 2020, you can renew on an annual basis but should be aware the change will impact you next year.
• If your renewal is after August 7th, 2020, there is a trade-in offer you can take advantage of which will offer you two single-user licences for your one multi-user (see below). You can renew, but you will not be eligible for the offer next year and will be required to trade-in your multi-user licence for single-user on a one for one basis.

Trade-In Offers Available:

Standalone Maintenance trade-in offer

Much like the maintenance to subscription (M2S) offer, that was available from May 2017 to May 2020, you can trade in your standalone (single-user) maintenance plan to a subscription.

• Your price will be similar to your 2019 maintenance plan renewal
• At time of trade-in, you will have the option to upgrade to an Industry Collection
• Price roadmap for renewals until 2028

Multi-user or Network Maintenance trade-in offer

This is a onetime offer for your first renewal due after August 7th, 2020.

Please note: should you opt to renew a contract due after August 7th early, you will lose your eligibility for this offer.

Essentially, you can trade-in one multi-user subscription or network maintenance seat for two standard subscriptions at a similar Suggested Retail Price (SRP) to that you are currently paying.

• At time of trade-in, you will have the option to upgrade to an Industry Collection
• Price roadmap for renewals until 2028

For example, if you have five multi-user subscriptions, you can trade them in for ten named user subscriptions.

Should you choose to not take advantage of this offer, at your second renewal after August 7th, 2020, you will only be able to trade-in one multi-user or one network maintenance plan for one named user.

Maintenance plan renewals are set to increase 20% on August 7th, 2020. Both maintenance plan and subscriptions with multi-user access will no longer be available from August 7th, 2021.

What is the price roadmap?

Your discounted pricing will increase no more than 5% in 2021, 2023, 2025 and 2027. There will be no change in 2022, 2024, 2026 and 2028.