Last summer, Autodesk announced it was abandoning its facilities management software, FM Desktop, saying it would support subscribers only until the end of this month, Jan 31, 2010. At the time, Autodesk blithely suggested its customers consider stock AutoCAD, impotent AutoCAD LT, or pricey Revit Architecture with MapGuide made more expensive due to the required FM adaptation by Autodesk Consulting -- to the dismay of its facilities management customers. Even though Autodesk has approved third-party FM developers, none were listed on obit Web page of FM Desktop...
...until today. Autodesk anoints FM:Systems to carry the mantle forward. FM Desktop customers become FM:Systems customers, if they so choose. Here's the details:
- FM:Systems provides FMDesktop customers with free support for as long as your current Autodesk Subscription lasts.
You can continue using FMDesktop indefinitely.
- You can switch to FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite at no extra cost; a 1:1 license transfer.
- However, FM:Systems functions not found in FM Desktop cost extra.
- Free training at FM:Systems headquarters in Raleigh NC USA; you just need to pay the bus fare and motel rates.
A translation system is being developed to move data from FM Desktop to FM:Systems. (It concerns me that this sentence is written in the present active tense.)- This offer is good for one year, until Jan 14, 2011.
More information at www.fmsystems.com/fmdesktop.
After Autodesk did such a poor job in its discontinuance announcement of last July, it is good to see that someone woke up and put together a reasonably generous transfer plan.
Hi Ralph,
One point I’d like to add re: the migration routine… While the it's in development, FM:Systems will provide assistance for FMDesktop customers that need to move immediately. So there is a plan but it wasn’t clear in the FAQ. Prior to the announcement, FM:Systems had already migrated several FMD customers.
Best,
Marty
Posted by: Marty Chobot | Jan 16, 2010 at 06:03 AM