Quickie: Autodesk extends sale of multi-user subs to August, pushes back named user start date

I wrote last week that Autodesk was going to start transitioning customers to named user licenses in May. A couple of readers shared a change to that policy from Autodesk's CEO Andrew Anagnost, in a note about the company's response in the time of Covid-19:

[W]e are committed to minimizing disruption, and ... are making some changes to make doing business with us easier. We realize these extraordinary times may create cash flow constraints for our customers. To offer some relief, we will extend contract payment terms to 60 days for all customers and partners, for orders placed directly with Autodesk now through August 7, 2020.

We will extend the ability to purchase new multi-user subscription plans to August 7, 2020, and move the retirement to August 7, 2021. While we communicated that we would begin transitioning customers to named users starting May 7, 2020, we do not want to introduce a change at a time when business-as-usual is hard enough.

It is, indeed, an extraordinary time and Autodesk is not alone in changing its payment policies. Check your Internet and cell providers, your utilities -- all of those evil empires do seem to be trying to support communities on a sudden path of social distancing.

I hope you're well, 6 feet away from office- or flat-mates, and staying sane. Check out this fascinating series of simulations on social distancing from the Washington Post; join the Dropkick Murphys' annual St. Patricks Day concert, this year delivered virtually; and wash your hands with Gloria Gaynor while singing I Will Survive. And if Ms. Gaynor's not your jam, you can create an infographic about washing or sanitizing your hands to your favorite song, here.