THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS turned the world on its head. Enterprises everywhere have had to adapt to keep operations going during this unprecedented crisis—the first of its kind in the digital era. The AEC industry has not been immune, and a big part of how architects, engineers, and construction professionals are learning to adjust is how to work remotely, keeping design, management, and field operations moving forward.
Vectorworks, Inc., one of the world’s leading BIM and CAD software companies, came forward to discuss with Architosh how they are offering the AEC market and their users’ flexible access to BIM and CAD technology via smart licensing options. We sat down with CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar and Vice President of Sales, Nicole Davison.
The Interview
Architosh: First off, let’s acquaint the reader with the full spectrum of CAD technologies you offer the market.
Davison: Vectorworks Fundamentals is our basic CAD software package, while Vectorworks Architect, Landmark, and Spotlight support the AEC, landscape, and entertainment industries, respectively. Vectorworks Designer encompasses our entire suite of technology in one interface with Architect, Landmark, and Spotlight. Finally, we offer Vision, a pre-viz software; Braceworks, an add-on rigging analysis module; and ConnectCAD, a signal flow add-on as part of our entertainment offerings.
Flexibility isn’t just crucial for our customers worldwide, but in these pandemic times, it helps alleviate the challenges of remote work and access to data.
Architosh: So clearly in the present context working from home is what AEC professionals have been forced to do. How do your flexible licensing options benefit the user in this current context?
Sarkar: We have offered our customers, prior to the pandemic, various licensing options, including perpetual and perpetual with maintenance options (Service Select) in most countries and subscription options in a few countries. Our licensing technology enables activation over the Internet for specific license options. A typical E-series license can be installed two times so a worker can install a seat at home and activate it over the Internet.
Architosh: Can they use their license from their machine at the office and permanently install it at home? And is there a licensing key or file or any complex technology?
Sarkar: That’s right. You need an active Internet connection to activate the license, and the second seat instance at home is good to go. It’s straightforward. There is no need for a key if you have an E-series license.
Architosh: So what types of licenses do you offer?
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