Autodesk to stop support for AutoCAD 2000i

CAD software vendor Autodesk will retire its AutoCAD 2000i series of products by January 2005 and hence stop
supporting the same as well. The company has introduced AutoCAD 2005 to take the place of 2000i. It is also
offering upgrades to customers from 2000i to 2005 at a cost of Rs 79,500, which is valid till August 10, 2004. However, the
company will continue to offer upgrades till December but at a 10-15% incremental cost. It has not
yet announced the next price slab for the same. 

"We would also be spreading awareness about AutoCAD 2005 product in our partner community as well inform them about
support-termination for 2000i. We would also be introducing loyalty programs for our users, which will
ensure that they upgrade to the newer version," informs Abel Tan, Channels Director (South Asia Pacific), Autodesk Asia. He also talks about
a program where the company would address various issues of Autodesk's old customers. 

However, company denies that by ending support for a product line every three-four years affects its business. It feels that the
users will continue to upgrade as they great value in newer launches. "We are not creating a
monopolistic environment neither are we forcing the customers the customers to upgrade," says Abel. Incidentally, from past experiences, the company
admits that only about 30% of its existing customers tend to upgrade to newer versions.

On the marketing strategy for AutoCAD 2005, Abel says that it will be sold as a more vertical-centric product. "Our partners
now would be required to focus more on a specific verticals like manufacturing, buildings,
infrastructure and so on," says he.

Currently half of Autodesk's partners in India address the manufacturing segment.

GOLDIE