If your SMA is expired are you still entitled to MR that are released after your SMA expires? For example, I have version 4.2 and our SMA expired on 6/30/2008. Version 4.2 MR3 was released 2/10/2009. I'm I entitled to MR3?
That's my point - there are mucho fewer installs. What would be the reason why each registered installation would not be tracked and receive updates (mrX, and for a reasonable length of time) until that version is no longer supported?
Like I said, XP updates still come out fairly regularly (how long has it been out now, since 2001?), because it's still widely used and supported, where as, say, Windows 95, 98, NT, etc. are not. People do still use the older versions, but Microsoft no longer updates them, and I wouldn't expect Hex to do that either.
3.7 mr4 was the last update to 3.7, and as has been pointed out, it was "free". Why are the other updates not? I would simply expect a software manufacturer to provide any needed updates (improvements, fixes, etc.) for no extra charge. Just seems like good business to me.
You missed my point (or more likely, I didn't make it clear enough).
When a piece of software is installed in x-gazillion machines, the income from these installations provides enough revenue to cover the costs of free patches.
I am not saying that I agree with the concept of charging for bug-fixes, just that the economy of scale makes it a bit more understandable.
3.7 mr4 was the last update to 3.7, and as has been pointed out, it was "free". Why are the other updates not?
Think law suits or the threat of, and you probably won't be too far off the mark. I have neither the time nor the inclanation to try, but should someone from this side of the pond go after Hexagon in a European court, my guess is that they would stand a fair chance of winning. European courts have a history of coming down on American software companies, just ask Bill Gates. And before any one says it, yes I know Hexagon are technically a European company, however the SMA policy and Wilcox Assoc are not.
Wes, you keep saying that it's all the user error, so it must be true.
This is standard for SMA's in all industries. I pay my CAD SMA, and I pay SMA's for other software, and they ALL (without exception!!!) won't let me update software after the SMA has run out. I don't like it either, but it's a fact.
I don't recall the OP asking for free updates, but rather that software that is not fit for purpose i.e, has bugs in it should be repaired i.e. an MR free of charge. I have no problem with having to pay to go from V2009 to V2010 but V2009MR1, MR2 etc should be included in my original payment
Stole this post from another thread, as it seems to highlight my and the Op's point about SMA's
In the past (Version 3.25) I have had DMIS crash on occasion and I lost whatever I had done since my last save. After upgrading to PC DMIS 2010 (MR2)I have a worse problem. Now it will crash, but instead of just losing whatever I did since the last save; it corrupts the file and I lose everything.
I contacted Tech Support a couple of weeks ago and they told me a lot of customers have had this problem and MR3 would fix it. They said to use “save as” and keep saving under a different name as I progressed through the program, until I could install MR3.
I have since done a clean install of MR3.
Today I was running a program, using auto-features when it crashed. (Whatever the common message is that says it is not responding). When I tried to reopen the program I got an error message that said “Attempted to access an unnamed file past its end.” I clicked ‘OK” and then got a message that said “Partname.PRG (Schema 4913) Serialization Error ALT”
Anyone else still having this problem with MR3?
My bold, what would have happend if Dmisdave's SMA had expired in the meantime. "Oh dear, we appear to have sold you a piece of software that is unfit for purpose. Pay us $2000 and we'll fix it for you, ........maybe". An unbelievable piece of customer service, not. Can you imagine the outcry if Toyota had had the same attitude towards their Prius problems? But then they wouldn't do that because someone might have got hurt or worse.
But when your Prius is out of warranty, and it breaks down, do they give you a new Prius? I don't think your analogy is correct. My car center console has a broken piece (flimsy pull tab) and they will not replace it no matter what I say. Even under warranty! I read online that they all break like this. Now out of warranty, they will not fix anything on the car unless there is a recall. I'm not saying it's right, but answering the question "where does a warranty stop" is not easy. That's why there are written and hopefully understood contracts.
Stole this post from another thread, as it seems to highlight my and the Op's point about SMA's
My bold, what would have happend if Dmisdave's SMA had expired in the meantime. "Oh dear, we appear to have sold you a piece of software that is unfit for purpose. Pay us $2000 and we'll fix it for you, ........maybe". An unbelievable piece of customer service, not. Can you imagine the outcry if Toyota had had the same attitude towards their Prius problems? But then they wouldn't do that because someone might have got hurt or worse.
You as a buyer of that car must prove that the fault existed from the time when your car left the factory/dealer. The broken center console you are talking about *could* have broken due to you pulling it too hard.
Now, considering software, how can *you* prove that whatever error is in PC-DMIS did *not* exist at the time it built/compiled? Are you saying *we* break your software?
As a new user of this software and reading through different threads, it's become apparent that to purchase an SMA would be foolish.I liken it to throwing coins into a slot machine hoping that eventually there will be a win (or bug-free software).I will stick with what I have.
But when your Prius is out of warranty, and it breaks down, do they give you a new Prius?
Of course they don't, but Gov't regulations can require a recall to repair the problem (at the mfg's expense). If you owned a Toyoter' and the brakes failed due to a part that failed (car out of warantee) and you or a loved one were injured, would you accept the response to be 'we'll fix the problem at your expense'. Or they denied any misdoings on their part and said ' Must be operator error. We fully test our vehicles and they pass all regulations".
We are not asking for a 'windfall'. Just a fix to the problems.
But when your Prius is out of warranty, and it breaks down, do they give you a new Prius? I don't think your analogy is correct. My car center console has a broken piece (flimsy pull tab) and they will not replace it no matter what I say. Even under warranty! I read online that they all break like this. Now out of warranty, they will not fix anything on the car unless there is a recall. I'm not saying it's right, but answering the question "where does a warranty stop" is not easy. That's why there are written and hopefully understood contracts.
But we are not talking about things breaking down out of warranty here Brian, we are talking about something sold as correct when in fact it is not. If my version of PC-DMIS has a bug in it then Hexagon have sold me something that is not fit for purpose. Now if I report that to them, but they do not repair it until my "warranty" has expired, why should I have to purchase a new "warranty" to get it fixed.
Brian, we'll have to agree to disagree, and I'm really not having a go at you personally with my statements on Hexagons SMA policy. Obviously you, as an employee of Hexagon, on a Hexagon website will never say that Hexagon are in the wrong. I probably wouldn't in your shoes either, decent jobs are too few to upset your employers by doing that.
All I will say as my final piece on this is, if I pass a part that PCDMIS showed to be correct but, due to a bug in their software is incorrect, and as a result of that someone gets hurt, you can bet your last dollar I will see them in court.
