CU Jul-Aug 2020
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SOFTWAREfocus<br />
much more.<br />
Licenses can be shared between<br />
architects when necessary, if they meet<br />
the requirements of the End User<br />
License Agreement (EULA). For the<br />
single-seat license series E,<br />
Vectorworks can be activated online for<br />
two computers (workstation and<br />
mobile/home) but can only run on one<br />
machine at a time. The Internet<br />
authenticated network license series G<br />
can be installed on multiple computers<br />
and will run on as many machines as<br />
the user needs, depending on the<br />
number of seats allocated in the Site<br />
Protection Server (license manager).<br />
Users of Vectorworks will already<br />
know that the software comes as a<br />
series of products that focus on<br />
particular sectors of the market, with<br />
individual Vectorworks subscription<br />
license options for Fundamentals,<br />
Spotlight, Architect, Landmark, and<br />
Designer. Additionally, both Spotlight<br />
and Designer can be purchased with<br />
the inclusion of Braceworks or<br />
ConnectCAD, as well as the<br />
combination of Braceworks and<br />
ConnectCAD together. Design<br />
resources like Marionette, the<br />
Vectorworks Algorithms-Aided Design<br />
(AAD) tool, are built into all the<br />
modules of Vectorworks.<br />
Sarkar was particularly keen to<br />
highlight the levels of support available<br />
to Vectorworks customers. "All<br />
Vectorworks prospects are entitled to<br />
our technical support for 30 days,<br />
which is the length of a free trial, and<br />
have access to all of our support<br />
platforms such as Vectorworks<br />
University and Forum, which they will<br />
find online." All software purchased<br />
directly from Vectorworks, he explained<br />
further, offers free tech support via<br />
phone, email, or fax for 12 months from<br />
date of purchase. Users who then opt<br />
to become members of Vectorworks<br />
Service Select have priority access to<br />
technical support professionals.<br />
When asked which licensing option is<br />
preferred, Sarkar was quite adamant.<br />
"A perpetual license with maintenance<br />
included (Vectorworks Service Select)<br />
is our most popular licensing option. A<br />
perpetual license means customers<br />
own the software forever, and you can<br />
use it as long as your operating<br />
system remains compatible.<br />
Customers who aren't on maintenance<br />
can upgrade it for up to three years at<br />
a discounted price."<br />
"Actually, Vectorworks Service Select<br />
is the best way to get the most out of<br />
Vectorworks software," he added. "Our<br />
members receive an immediate<br />
upgrade of new product releases<br />
including Service Pack updates, priority<br />
technical support, and early release of<br />
all content through our Resource<br />
Manager. Further, members receive<br />
special member-only features in<br />
Vectorworks Cloud Services such as<br />
Photos to 3D Model, cloud rendering,<br />
and more."<br />
ONBOARDING<br />
Additional support is also given to new<br />
customers who are immediately<br />
enrolled in one of our Vectorworks<br />
onboarding programs. This ensures<br />
that there is a smooth and successful<br />
introduction or transition to<br />
Vectorworks by providing appropriate<br />
resources, training, technical support<br />
and communication channels - and<br />
access to training is, of course,<br />
available 24/7 through Vectorworks<br />
University and the Forums.<br />
SUBSCRIPTION BILLING<br />
Monthly and annual subscriptions are<br />
both available, allowing customers to<br />
subscribe for as long as they need to<br />
cater for special projects or temporary<br />
staff. Monthly and yearly subscriptions<br />
are automatically renewed each month<br />
or year, unless customers opt to cancel<br />
up to four days before the renewal date<br />
to avoid the charges for the next billing<br />
cycle. If you are able to plan ahead for<br />
the whole year you could save a bit of<br />
money. Yearly subscribers will only pay<br />
for 10 months and get two month's<br />
subscription cost free.<br />
Sarkar said that not only is a<br />
Vectorworks perpetual license offer a<br />
better value compared to<br />
subscriptions, but it is a better option<br />
when compared to their competitors.<br />
Image courtesy of Vectorworks, Inc.<br />
MIGRATING <strong>CU</strong>STOMERS<br />
Handling the subscription requirements<br />
of a busy studio is quite<br />
straightforward, compared to the<br />
demands of a practice migrating its<br />
core design applications to a new<br />
supplier. It's a decision that can't be<br />
taken lightly and demands the full<br />
support of the new supplier throughout<br />
the necessary upheaval. Besides the<br />
staff having to acquaint themselves<br />
with the new software, there will be<br />
numerous projects either in progress or<br />
completed and filed away having been<br />
created using the previous<br />
applications.<br />
"During the onboarding assessment,"<br />
Sarkar explained, "the customer<br />
success team will craft a plan to assist<br />
customers migrating from other<br />
applications, helping them to import<br />
files, develop templates, standards,<br />
and new workflows to guarantee the<br />
success of new customers when<br />
moving to Vectorworks. This can extend<br />
right up to the offer of a customer<br />
consultancy service if firms require a<br />
more hands-on approach".<br />
Vectorworks provides a couple of<br />
licensing options for individual groups,<br />
such as those in education. These<br />
include the single-seat license series E<br />
for individual students, which they can<br />
download and manage through the<br />
Vectorworks Student Portal throughout<br />
the duration of their education.<br />
Vectorworks offers a free network lab<br />
license for educators and educational<br />
institutions.<br />
www.vectorworks.net<br />
<strong>Jul</strong>y/<strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2020</strong> 27