Upgrading cost and options

[xmurray]

Version: Windchill 11.0

Use Case: We are running Windchill 11 (Pro/Intralink 11) and have many years of data from about 7-8 engineers over the years and considering upgrading. We only use the very basic intralink features, check in and check out, and mainly the ability to use parts from multiple folders.

Description:

We also have perpetual floating licenses good through Creo 7 that we have not been paying maintenance on since 2020 when we shutdown for Covid. My network manager wants to move the Windchill stuff to Windows server 2022 for security/support reasons. To do that it appears we need to upgrade and migrate to Windchill 13x and then also get current of subscription licenses.

Unfortunately, as usual,  it appears we need consulting support to upgrade Windchill as we have done in the past.  I know I am venting but it is a bit crazy to have to pay $35k+ every time this software needs an upgrade.  Also, moving Creo to subscription is nearly twice to cost of previous maintenance so that is also over $50k/yr  for 10 very basic licenses that need to paid for every year. 

Just wondering if there is any option that would be more cost effective yet still satisfy my network manager and allow us to move to the new up to date server?   We would love to keep using our perpetual licenses even if we pay for new windchill licenses. 

[avillanueva]

Sry to hear about issues with software costs. I too take a big gulp when I utter our numbers out loud,  It seems you have a very small installation and do not need much in the way of Windchill functionality. Couple of suggestions might be to consider Windchill+ to reduce your own IT overhead and expenditures. You'd be trading your local management costs but have to compare that against the Windchill+ license costs (not sure about those). As far as subscription licensing vs perpetual, this has been a trend of most software providers in past few years. You have freedom to add and remove as you see fit but it does come with increased yearly costs over maintenance only. Shop around. There are a lot of VARs out there who can work with you and secure you a good deal. I can send you my recommendations if you like. 

[TomU]

@avillanueva,

Windchill+ would not be a solution here.  PTC has increased the threshold for customers to move to Windchill+ from $100,000/year to $500,000/year.  Unless a company is willing to spend at least that much every year just for Windchill, Windchill+ is not even an option right now.

[avillanueva]

@TomU, good to know. So where do customer's like @xmurray fit into? There should be some way that a small customer like this can have the right scaled application that fits their user size. Similar to what Atlassian does with their applications, it possible to use a cloud service for a small user set. Onprem is in 500 user chunks only now. Seems backwards. Is there any option for them with a shared system where each customer is their own Org and cannot see each other?

[Brn_The_Admin]

Hopefully, this will allow them to focus more on supporting the existing Windchill+ customers and optimizing the system to be fully functional. Many features with WC+ are unfortunately underdeveloped. This, along with the constant issues with Creo+ compatibility, should make even potential customers willing to go over that 6-figure mark skeptical. 

[BenLoosli]

You will need to do multiple upgrades to get from 11.0 to 13.0. It cannot be done directly.

We bit the bullet 2 years ago and converted all of our perpetual licenses for Creo and Windchill to subscriptions. It is a big pill to swallow, but it is once a year and corporate IT has taken over software licensing so I do see the billing as the PTC account contact, I don't have to worry about writing the PO and any justifications anymore.

[joe_morton · Accepted solution]

It would be worth investigating if there's a way you can get your perpetual licenses current again (maybe with paying a penalty). That may lower your on-going costs in the future so you won't need as many subscription licenses.

[xmurray]

Joe, I didn't think that was an option, but of course they would not tell me if it was not in their long term best interests.  I will have to ask.   They have applied a discount to the original quote but it is still high.  The perpetual licenses we have are good up till Creo 7 but I don't think that works with Windchill 13 where my IT guy probably wants us to go to get to the newest supported server.     

[d_graham]

@xmurray 

I know you can get Windchill upgraded for lot less than $35K.

I know a company that pays about $10K and their Windchill upgrades are always very successful.

Their last upgrade was from 11.1 to 12.1.

It took about a week to do.

They have quite a few customizations that have to be moved over too but that’s no big deal.