MC2025 vs MC2024

[Shazam/TPP]

I'm currently using MC2024 latest update for mill and wire with advanced 3d milling.

Looking at MC2025 (I've downloaded all updates), have not installed it...yet. I don't see any benefits with
this version and my maintenance is up on 12/31/2024. What's all your thoughts? worth the update and now maintenance went up $$ again, tired of paying for little improvements..
 

[JParis]

Really only a call you can make.

I barked about the cost this year but choosing to stay up to date, in my situation, it's a no brainer.

I keep everyone up on the latest and keep them moving forward.

[SuperHoneyBadger]

This is an age old question, and entirely depends on your machines, work and future plans for new machines/capabilities, and support of course (we'll always be here though). I don't predict there will be any new killer features in the near term.

Balance it with the fact that you'll never get the 'welcome back' discount again with Sandvik bean counters at the helm. If you go off the reservation, you'll pay steeply to come back if you have the need, probably with the cost of a seat+maint, or if you wait long enough the subscription model will kick in and you'll be locked in but for less upfront to return. If you have the work/company size, the cost of maintenance vs earnings, usually works out to just keep on going.

I think we'll all be pretty vocal the year subscription comes along, since there may no longer be an option to own perpetually after that for new/returning seats. I predict a lot of smaller folks will stick to that last version before subs. But we'll see, as it's merely my opinion/view on the matter

[gcode]

If you go off the reservation, you'll pay steeply

It will be worse than that
If you come back it will be a subscription or nothing.
Purchasing a license is on the way out.  It will not be long before
it's subscription or nothing.

[JParis]

It will be worse than that
If you come back it will be a subscription or nothing.
Purchasing a license is on the way out.  It will not be long before
it's subscription or nothing.

I believe with the exception of some very limited users, it's subscription only for new users.

I can't confirm that though

[gcode]

From the prices I've seen, Subscription will be slightly cheaper than maintenance, the big difference being
if you quit paying a subscription, you have no software.

[gcode]

I believe with the exception of some very limited users, it's subscription only for new users.

I don't know if that is the case now, but that is where we are going.
At this point I'd be surprised if they let someone with expired maintenance go back on maintenance.
They would make it cheaper to buy a subscription, but once you do that, they own you.

[JParis]

but once you do that, they own you.

Aww, c'mon, try it...the first taste is free

[Shazam/TPP]

Thank you all for the input, I'm currently a fence sitter on this one, the features I'm seeing in 2025 I don't think I'll use but hate to not be up to date..       

[gcode]

Thank you all for the input, I'm currently a fence sitter on this one, the features I'm seeing in 2025 I don't think I'll use but hate to not be up to date..       

I would have a frank talk with my dealer.
Make sure you've got all the facts before you make a decision.

[JParis]

I would have a frank talk with my dealer.

While you still have a "dealer"

[neurosis]

We just got our maintenance bill this week and about shit ourselves. Our reseller put a bunch of perks on the contract to soften the blow, but it's significantly more than it was in years past. 

We may be coming close to ending our maintenance with Mastercam.  4 years of Mastercam maintenance would pay for a full TS seat and a few posts assuming their prices haven't went up. much.   

[Brian]

but it's significantly more than it was in years past.

Ouch! TS maintenance for my license will be the same this year as it was last year, but I thought I heard it was going up next year...? Stay tuned.

Does this mean you guys are considering going back to TS, or maybe just dropping maintenance for both s/w's?

I wonder if there's enough value in being on maintenance if you've used either program long enough to have all of the kinks worked out? Is there enough development that it's worth it? Do either of your VARs really pull their weight, or just generate invoices?

[neurosis]

Ouch! TS maintenance for my license will be the same this year as it was last year, but I thought I heard it was going up next year...? Stay tuned.

Our Mastercam maintenance increased 208%  What I don't know, is if this pricing is reseller specific. I do know that management is not happy with the price increase right now. We have a single seat of Mastercam (its a full seat with lathe and multi-axis) and they are charging us over $5000 a year for that one seat. It was half of that the last time we paid our maintenance.

Does this mean you guys are considering going back to TS, or maybe just dropping maintenance for both s/w's?

I don't know if he would actually consider going back to TS. I would push for it but I would be the only one pushing.

I wonder if there's enough value in being on maintenance

What ever software we use long term, we have always paid for maintenance. As far as being worth it, I'm not sure a 200% increase for Mastercam is worth it. TS is so much better in a lot of ways that we could save our money and re-purchase TS a few years down the road.


Anyone have a problem with the forum changing to 'TopSolidForums.com'?   

[JParis]

What I don't know, is if this pricing is reseller specific.

It is not

I unfortunately know a good deal more than I can let on