New AutoCAD stands on firm ground: AutoCAD 2002 inaugerates Autodesk's new subscription model

摘要

As you read this, the newest version of AutoCAD-AutoCAD 2002-should be available. If you missed the usual hype, rumors, and expectations that have historically preceded an AutoCAD release, that's because there has been none. In a major shift in marketing plans, Autodesk quietly moved to a new mode of introducing upgrade versions of AutoCAD. In the past, a new "Big R" version of AutoCAD appeared every 24 months or so. No more, according to Autodesk. The new strategy, announced this April, is to each year issue an updated version of AutoCAD that incorporates modular enhancements or extensions released during the previous twelve months. This strategy is designed to reduce the pain of upgrading from one release to the next that, in the past, has made upgrading a less-than-welcome experience. After a transition period, Autodesk's goal is to have all AutoCAD users using a version of the software.