I'm a long time user of LDD3 but it just isn't productive anymore - too much time being spent working around the basic problem that newer DWG formats won't load. I'm also a recent convert to Carlson's offerings. I have Carlson Survey 2015 (running on Intellicad) in the office and SurvCE in the field.
I've given IntelliCAD a try, but I'm not sold on it. Have been considering two options (1) upgrade to standalone ACAD (adesk is offering 30% discount for legacy users like me), or (2) crossgrade to Carlson Survey with the OEM engine). I'm leaning toward no. 1 at this point, but it does look to be a bit more expensive. Still on the fence.
However, my purpose in writing is to see if any of you have a perspective on how to select an Autodesk reseller. I have been referred by Jennifer DiBona to CADMasters in California, but I'm in Massachusetts. Do any of you interact with your resellers, other than by phone or email? How important is the location of the reseller? Who is your reseller, and are you happy with their level of responsiveness, and knowledge of the software?
Beautiful day today!
Regards,
Al
Alex:
I use MicroDesk http://www.microdesk.com/ which has offices around New England, my contact works out of CT. They have training classes etc. but other than that they don't seem to offer any special services. In years past MicroDesk had a presence at all of the surveying conventions in the area but I haven't seen them in person for years. I hope that you will get some good recommendations from other members of this forum.
I run Carlson on top of AutoCAD C3D which works well but is mush more expensive than I would like. You can run Carlson on plain AutoCAD, I believe, which is the cheaper fix. Years ago AutoDesk sold everything as a module, you bought AutoCAD and then the modules you wanted. At some point they bundled the products into the C3D suite, doing everyone a favor, they said, of course the subscription cost for a suite is considerable more than just plain AutoCAD. A few years ago I decided that I didn't need C3D if I had Carlson so I asked to just subscribe to AutoCAD and not the suite any longer, of course the reply was that I would have to buy a new seat of just AutoCAD they couldn't (or wouldn't) un-bundle. So much for the wonderful world of AutoDesk.
I also own Carlson stand alone with the AutoCAD OEM engine that I use on my laptop. The stand alone is great but you may be frustrated looking for AutoCAD commands that aren't included in the Carlson program.
If you go with the full AutoCAD route be sure to buy only the plain version it will keep your yearly subscription cost down if you wish to go that way and don't forget that you will have subscription costs for Carlson too.
T.W.
As to legitimacy, I haven't a clue, but interesting to view! 😉
http://www.dhgate.com/wholesale/autocad.html
Have a great weekend. B-)
We use a regional reseller but almost went with a national reseller this last renewal.
We're a pretty good sized firm, so our main concern is support way beyond the "have you tried rebooting" level. One thing about a local reseller is that they, if they're good businessmen, they can act as a networking middleman between their various AEC clients.
Business 101: Profit and return on investment
Decision making assistance:
Lets assume your gross sales are $100 000 for one year. Your expenses are $90 000 providing you a 10% profit of $10 000. As a return on your investment, that is your expenses, it is 11%.
You want to increase profits and consider two alternatives: 1) you can do more work, or 2) you can decrease expenses. Which will increase profits the most?
If you do 5% more work using the same methods, then your gross will be $105 000 with expenses of $94 500 and profits of $10 500, a 5% gain. The return on investment is still at 11%.
If you can manage to change your methods and cut your expenses by 5% then your gross sales will remain at $100 000 with expenses of $85 500. Now, your profits are $14 500, or 14.5% of gross sales. The return on investment is 17% and you do not have to do additional work.
Something to put into your equation?
Thanks for all the posts. I'm pretty much convinced that plain/standard AutoCAD will be plenty for me, and that the incremental increase in subscription costs will be a good investment. But, to this point, I've spent very little time evaluating the offerings of the various resellers at this point, and so I'm not quite ready to buy. I'll check out:
Microdesk
CADMasters
CADD Microsystems
Imaginit
> Thanks for all the posts. I'm pretty much convinced that plain/standard AutoCAD will be plenty for me, and that the incremental increase in subscription costs will be a good investment. But, to this point, I've spent very little time evaluating the offerings of the various resellers at this point, and so I'm not quite ready to buy. I'll check out:
>
> Microdesk
> CADMasters
> CADD Microsystems
> Imaginit
I deal with one of them. Pretty basic concept. Once a year, I receive an e-mail from them. I give money they give me a subscription. If I want some of their offerings, I have to give more money.
One plus in the CADD Microsystems column (as far as I'm concerned) is that I went to school from 4th to 12th grade with the owner. 😉
Depending on where in Mass you are, you should also check into Cadnet Services in Manchester, NH.
http://www.cadnetservices.com/
Travis Point
AKA
Kevin Arsenault, PLS
Green International Affiliates, Inc.
Westford, MA
We use these guys in Salem MA:
http://www.greateasterntech.com/
But don't really rely on them much other than to keep licenses/subscriptions up to date. It's always painful though because Autocad sucks. Gotta have it though. Ugh.
Best of luck.