I’m looking for clarification on what’s included in the newer TBC subscription packages.
We’ve been using dongles with a perpetual license for some time and pay an annual “software maintenance” fee that allows us to use the latest version each year. Recently, we were told that the cost of maintenance will increase to the point that it no longer makes sense, and that we should move to the subscription model instead.
The issue is that we’re unclear which subscription package includes the functionality we need. The salesperson checked internally and told us that the Site + Field package would work for us, but something doesn’t quite add up—especially since the cost is significantly higher than what we’ve historically paid.
The packages we’re currently considering are:
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Basic
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Site + Field
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Survey + Mapping
At present, we have the Advanced perpetual license, which allows us to do everything.
The key functionality we need includes:
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Processing baselines
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Importing CORS data
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Possibly performing least squares adjustments
We were told that the Basic version does not support baseline processing, but that Site + Field does.
Can anyone with experience confirm which subscription package truly matches this functionality?
I'm still waiting to hear from my Trimble Rep as well (regarding my TBC 2026 renewal). I'm beginning to form the opinion that Trimble is good for large companies by standardizing equipment, ease of use etc., but not the most affordable cost v. functionality (bang for the buck) for a smaller company. There are alternatives, and the costs of yellow paint is getting rather expensive.
I'm still trying to work out how to answer for absolute sure, as TBC licencing is changing very rapidly right now, but...
Knowing the company, I would say you would not get Static or Least-squares in TBC Starter.
According to the guff I have seen, Site+Field includes
- Survey adjustments
- CAD + Drafting
- Surfaces, alignments + corridors
and the next step up, Survey+Mapping, adds
- Point clouds + scanning
- GIS + monitoring connections
So I would think Site+Field should suit.
I'd suggest you should be able to make a deal for Site+Field that includes an upgrade to Survey+Mapping should it prove inadequate
=J=
<PS: please can we keep the forum clean and useful - don't crucify us over Trimble's licencing - we Minions have zero input in the Accountants' decisions>
I bought a perpetual license for TBC a few years ago but didn't pay for the yearly maintenance. I requested a quote to update my version a couple weeks ago and I was told $2200. I think I paid $3800 for it 3 years ago so yeah I think I'm already getting priced out of Trimble stuff.
There is a matrix that shows what’s in each module. And Trimble as of this year is not selling any more maintenance renewals or perpetual licenses, only subscription licenses.
@robertusa Wow. Any idea what the cost of an annual subscription is? Or will that vary by region?
This is 2 years old but does capacities in different editions https://tbcanz.com/docs/TBC_Subscriptions_WorkflowMatrix_USL_1023.pdf
TBC starter aka Surveying
site+field adds construction tasks
mapping adds point clouds and GIS