AU Bite #6: The Long Cord

LAS VEGAS, NV (Autodesk University), Dec 2, 2009 - I wasn't poking at Autodesk's CEO, Carl Bass, when I asked him about the future of software licensing in the wake of Autodesk losing the Vernor case (See Software Resale on eBay: Court Sided with Reseller by Kenneth Wong). I basically don't understand software licensing as Autodesk is trying to define it. I was hoping the Vernor case would lead back to a simpler time - when software was yours forever, even to sell.

But the court decision had not swayed Carl. "There have been 2 or 3 other decisions that support licensing," answers Carl. And then, a bit obliquely, he adds that it doesn't really matter. "We're fighting yesterday's wars."

He mentions the future will change, that people won't need to pay for a box, a CD even...software will be all downloadable, used over the Web, software as a service... call it what you will.

What? AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor used over the web? Nothing loaded on the desktop? Not even a download?

I walk away from the Q&A scratching my head. Later on, I meet Brian Matthews, who runs Autodesk Labs, arguably the source of some of the most futuristic and exciting technology ever to come out of Autodesk.,

Brain reminds me of Twitch, a Labs "technology preview' which effectively runs AutoCAD over the web. Brian's laptop screen shows AutoCAD but he is running it through the hotel's Wi-Fi and then over a thousand miles of Internet to a remote machine. He moves a 3D model around, there is no jitteriness in the motion I would expect over such a connection.

So now Carl's remark seems to make sense. Autodesk seems to be paving the way towards users license its core software to use as needed, with most applications being able to be run over "a long cord," meaning a network.

Comments

[R. Paul Waddington]

"We're fighting yesterday's wars."
In the area of licencing, the wars, are all of Autodesk's creation; the result of poorly thought through, customer bashing policies.

What Autodesk - and its management - has lost is not a court case but Autodesk's credibility in being able to demonstrate it understand the world(s) of their customers.

Autodesk has, however, demonstrated it is completely incapable of protecting customers' data. Without that ability no design, manufacturing company or thinking/competent management would entertain Bass's crew handling their intellectual property.

Without cred' in this area Autodesk's products in the cloud are simply.....

I challenge Bass to stand up/out and show us why we customers should 'trust' Autodesk!

[geoff m]

no way jose.
i cant see many folks paying the same price for software that resides elsewhere. whats next, pay by the line, and pay extra for red?
no wonder folks are bailing out of subscription.

[Scott Sheppard]

To try Project Twitch for yourself, go to http://labs.autodesk.com/technologies/trials/.