It’s that time again, when agencies rush to spend their remaining year-end budget before the September 30th “use it or lose it” deadline. Approximately $97 billion of U.S. federal dollars is spent this month alone, often in a wasteful manner. But for those in the field of digital design – there are many opportunities to make value-based investments using taxpayer funds before it’s too late.
1. Training
Digital design software is evolving at a rapid pace. New technologies such as reality capture, BIM and GIS integration, digital manufacturing, and more, are pushing designers and engineers to stay relevant. What better time to start thinking about the learning that lies ahead for your team? Or perhaps you just need to brush up your skills and get more from your existing software investments.
But where should you invest your year-end funds? There are plenty of options. Here are just a few:
- Autodesk Authorized Training Centers (ATCs) – ATCs are a useful resource for helping your organization identify its training needs based on time and budget constraints. Located across the U.S., ATCs help you get the greatest return on your software investment, faster, by building your knowledge in the areas you need the most. Qualified instructors focus on sample projects and real-world applications and classes are available for all skill sets. Here’s one example of how an ATC helped one government team raise the bar with Civil 3D training.
- Autodesk University – Held each Fall in Las Vegas, AU is the place to learn, network, and knowledge share. And for the first time, discounted AU passes are now available on DLT’s GSA Schedule. Feeling enticed? Here are a few ways to convince your manager to send you to AU 2019.
2. Take Advantage of Multiuser Licenses
You may have noticed that Autodesk has shifted from a perpetual license model to subscription. One of the key benefits of this new purchasing model is that it supports multi-user use of Autodesk products. No more sharing licenses or paying out for new licenses.
If you have multiple teams that need access to the same software, you can take advantage of network licenses (included in multi-user subscriptions). These licenses aren’t assigned to individual users and can be shared up to a maximum number of users or seats connected to a server network. These users are easily managed through a Network License Manager tool where licenses can be assigned to users by an administrator.
Learn more about making the switch and subscribing to Autodesk products.
3. Get the Support You Need to Be Productive
Whether you make a new software purchase this year-end or want to get more from your existing investments, get a productivity kickstart with design software support. Whether you need account management, consulting and technical assistance, eLearning, or customized support, there are a myriad of options available to you. Talk to DLT and we’ll help assess your needs and connect you to Autodesk authorized support providers.
Don’t Pass on Federal Year-End Opportunities
As we enter busy season, don’t underestimate the great savings you can make by investing in your digital design efforts through training and development, the right tools for the job, and expert support license options that make sense for your dynamic needs.
Feel free to reach out to DLT Solutions if you’ve got questions or are ready to take advantage of year-end funds in a way that will add long-term value to your agency.