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Tips for Autodesk Admins

Jess Singleton
Updated

 

We've compiled a list of a few tips and tricks that we have picked up over our time as Autodesk partners. 
Some are FAQ's, others are little hacks we learn along the way. 

Like the wise old sage of legends, we impart this wisdom upon you as you start your journey through the portal and beyond! 

 

Managing users: 

Maintaining users will be 90% of what goes on within the portal and there are a few bits and pieces involved. To dig deeper, we have written a few articles that we will link below: 

  • If possible, try to get into the habit of un-assigning and removing users as soon as they leave the company. This will free up seats for new users and prevent any complications with over-assigning. 
  • When trying to assign new licenses, from time to time Autodesk will automatically assign one of the new seats to the 'Purchaser' or 'Primary Admin', even if they didn't request it and aren't going to be on tools. (Don't ask us why...) Check under 'By Product' to make sure your new product has the correct user/s assigned to it.  
  • Teams are another quirky feature that can automatically be created on your profile as a fun surprise without your request. If you can't see your license, check if you have a second team set up that isn't usually there (or reach out if you can't see it as you may not have visibility on this). If you find that you have unnecessary teams, we can help you to merge the teams back into one. Just be aware that any product that uses HUBs might be trickier to migrate. 
  • Check this article out if you know you have purchased a license, but can't find it in the portal. 
  • Portal features can also include; Usage reports & notifications, Groups and how to download your software. 

Discounts: 

There are a few ways to save some coin (and in this economy, we know you are paying attention). 

One such way is automatic. Legacy customers who have been with Autodesk for a while will get a loyalty discount for renewing your products. It is important to be aware of renewal times though as a license that lapses will not be eligible for the discount. 

 

Locking in your contact for multiple years (up to 3) offers the biggest discount though. You will need to assess if this is the right move for your company, but multi-years = multi-savings. 

 

Getting in before the rate rises that happen periodically is another great way to make your money stretch further. Renewing before the rate rises, locks you in at the lower rate, but can be pro-rata set to a start once your current contract ends. 

 

Sharing Passwords: 

One we get asked a lot is around Password sharing. I know that legacy customers may have used network or perpetual licenses, but under Autodesk's new subscription model, it is strictly: One User, One License.

 

This means, no sharing passwords otherwise the software may not recognize which 'login' is supposed to be used, or work saved, potentially causing issues and lost work. Best not to tempt fate. 

Technically it's a breach of Autodesk T&C's to do so, but we aren't the policy police, we just don't want you to lose your carefully crafted creations. 

 

If you have a user that will need a license for a short project, or only for a limited time, you can try flex tokens. 

 

Technical stuff: 

  • Software updates are not automatic and need to be done manually. Typically new updates are released every 3 months. 
  • You may come across one of these errors from time to time. Most errors are a result of the software needing to be updated. Follow the steps within any of the articles linked to update your software. In a recent update, Users are able to update the software themselves, without having to rely on the Admins. 
  • If you require a version beyond what is provided in the portal (eg, version 2019), you can contact us to source old links from Autodesk for you. 
  • If you run CAD or BIM, please keep in mind these are not ideal on laptops. Modelling can be complex and requires a lot of RAM that desktops often can better support. We can recommend hardware that cuts the mustard if you suspect your current equipment might not stack up. 
  • If you have an issue that the Help Articles, or onboarding team aren't able to solve, we have a whole team of super smart tech specialists at the ready and a direct line to Autodesk. Just reach out if you need a hand. 

 

Additional products & services:

At Arkance, we aren't just a one trick, Autodesk partner-pony. We have can support you in a whole host of ways. Here are some of the products and services we can also provide: 

 

Training - In person (online) or self-lead training across the Autodesk products. 

Technical Support & Professional Services  - We have a whole team at the ready! 

Add ons and additional products including - 

NB: We have a new website coming soon. This article will be updated with links to more info about each of the above once the new site is launched. 

 

Check back here for additional tips and tricks. We are always learning fun new bits and pieces that we would love to share! 

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