Autodesk Design Academy Term License Extension

Overview

Call your colleagues in the IT department and be the first to let them know that PLTW schools now have the option to stay with their current installed versions of Autodesk Design Academy (ADA). As part of your school’s annual purchase of a license, you will have the option to extend the usage of your current version for an additional year. You can apply this to your version as long as it’s no more than three versions back from the current ADA release. Schools may now upgrade hardware based on their district schedules rather than the evolution of ADA, while reducing the already heavy burdens on IT departments. Autodesk has made this offering available only to PLTW schools in response to these issues being raised by the PLTW network.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do schools elect to extend the use of their current version for an additional year?
This decision should be made as part of a school’s annual purchase of the yearly license from its local Autodesk reseller. At that time, schools, in consultation with their IT departments, should determine if they wish to purchase a license for the next, most recently released version of ADA, or whether they wish to purchase the Term License Extension which will enable them to use their currently installed version for another year. This offering applies only to schools with ADA and not to schools using only the Autodesk Inventor Professional Suite.

How long may a school elect to extend usage of its current installed version of the ADA package?
This option will be available for up to three versions prior to the most recent annual May/June release version of ADA. Note: if a school chooses and pays for the extension option, they may not then choose to upgrade to a newer version during the course of the license extension without paying for a new license in its entirety.

What factors should be taken into consideration when making this decision?

• Timing: Schools may purchase a license at any point during the year; however, they must be aware (and their resellers will inform them as well) that there is a 12-month expiration on the annual licenses. Keeping the purchases aligned with when classes are not in session, and when there are IT resources available (should they elect for an update), are important considerations. 
• Training:  Teacher training will be conducted, as it has always been, with the most recent release of ADA. Training sessions will not be able to accommodate varying versions of ADA.
• IT departments: IT departments should always be consulted before important software purchases are made.
• Hardware: Discuss with your IT department the purchase cycles for computer hardware and how these software options should be considered given those cycles.

How does this option affect hardware purchases?
This option may allow for greater flexibility for schools and their computer hardware needs. By using currently installed ADA versions for more than one year, hardware specifications aren’t affected, thereby extending the life span of the hardware.

Do I have to pay for a license every year even if I’m not updating to a newer version?
Yes. The pricing for the licenses is based on the yearly usage of Autodesk’s intellectual property, which reflects a dramatic discount from the commercial pricing in recognition of its educational application. The Term License Extension is an option that Autodesk developed exclusively for PLTW schools in response to concerns about escalating hardware needs and limited IT staffing. We are grateful for their accommodation and response to these issues that have been raised by PLTW schools.

Additional Information

How much does the Term License Extension cost?
The price for the term license extension is the same as the ADA package. For more information, please visit the PLTW Purchasing Manual.

When are new versions released?
Autodesk typically releases new versions of its software in May/June.

How many seats are included in the annual license?
Each license is for 125 seats, and high schools will still be able to share Autodesk seats with up to two participating middle schools, as long as they do not exceed the 125 seat limit.

Do I still order Autodesk from my local authorized reseller?
Yes. The procedure for ordering Autodesk software has not changed; this is just a new option for schools to consider when purchasing their yearly licenses.

Contact Us

If you have additional questions, please contact our School Support Team by email or phone:
schoolrelations@pltw.org or 877-335-PLTW (7589).