Bugs & maintenance fees

[oknups]

Looking at new software, and keep coming back to bug fixes and maintenance fees.

Within a release version call it new 2011 version, there may or not be point releases that are bug fixes, before the next new version 2012 comes out.

Without a service or maintenance contract is there any Cad/Cam software company that fixes "bugs" within a release without having the customer pay for the software being incorrect?

To me its along the lines of an OS charging for service packs that fix problems not found in the beta testing.

What makes cad/cam different?

[Bubba]

Not sure what your looking for, but Sheetcam (SheetCam homepage) has no maintenance fees and is always fixing the few bugs that are found and adding new features.

[oknups]

3axis, with 4th axis later.

I have 3 axis with Alphacam 2010, but upgrade to next step, and maintenance fees are expensive. Initial release had a bug in it with a drilling subroutine. Previous version worked fine, there were point releases within the major upgrade, that were bug fixes, but it was required that you have a maintenance contract to get them. Worked before, upgraded it no longer works, and I am asked to pay again for a "fix."

Guess what my issue with the software dealers is the maintenance fees in a release cycle. If the software works as specified why should I need to buy a maintenance contract to insure that it works as claimed?

Sort of like selling a part with a guaranteed tolerance, than demanding a fee if you want it fixed if its out of tolerance.

[Ron Dunn]

I don't know your requirements, but if they're satisfied by Aspire or VCarve you'll be very happy with Vectric's policy.

Major releases (ie, VCarve 6 just released) have a paid upgrade. Minor releases (patches, bug fixes, etc.) are free.

No maintenance contracts at all.