Everything in the Entire World Marked Down to $99… Including Alibre Design

by Josh on August 12, 2009 · Comments

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

Powered by WP Greet Box WordPress Plugin

In a move to spur economic growth and increase market share, EVERYTHING… in the entire world… has been marked down to a bare-bottom price of, yes, $99.

In actuality however, the only things that have been marked down are two pair of all-season radials, Coast-to-Coast Flights on JetBlue and Alibre Design Standard. Yes, Alibre, arch rival of Inventor, SolidWorks, SolidEdge, Pro/E and SpaceClaim, has slashed the price of Alibre Design Standard from $999 way down to $99.

Would You Buy It?
It’s a strong marketing move by Alibre for sure, but would you buy it? or switch to it? or buy it just in case every other option imploded? I’m leaning toward the later, but also wondering what will happen if I ever wanted to upgrade later on, but really, $999 for parametric 3D isn’t that bad, and maybe that’s what they’re banking on.

Most likely, this is (or should be) targeted toward 2D users that haven’t made a switch to 3D. Imagine that, more people moving to 3D? No mater how you cut it or which 3D CAD software you’re in love with, that’s a good thing. However, as Paul Grayson, Alibre’s CEO, puts it, this is a direct challenge to those other CAD companies and a “massive ‘market share grab’ directly targeting the largest CAD software companies”

In that case, they probably could have increased sales by a factor of 5 by changing the last 9 to a 7. But hey, marking a product down from $999 to $99 looks neat and “Alibre Design for $999″ always had a nice ring to it.

So, does $99 for sweet 3D tempt you?

Personally, right now it would be difficult for me to switch from SolidWorks or SpaceClaim based solely on my limited use and the new features in Alibre V12. In fact, I just couldn’t do it. While the monetary value is there, the modeling value is not. But, that’s for me, right now. If I were stuck in 2D, looking for deals, this definitely appeals to me. I’d jump on it with a quickness and get anyone else on as well.

(2 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)

Loading ...

Comments

Tagged as: $99 special, 3D CAD deal of the day, parametric modeling

Mark Kenyon

Sounds like what CADKEY did back in the day...they went back to $999 after a while and then went quietly into the night, a great 3D package that didn't implement solids till too late in the game.

LWK

I think I may have to snag a seat for the moonlighting work...

John_A

I sent an email to the staff today. I proposed buying several copies for people that may have an interest in learning cad around here. For that price we can get half a dozen copies and even give them to a supplier if we need to. Great deal. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more coverage.

Josh M

yeah, good approach. I'd take that - 10 copies for the price of one is definitely another way of looking at it. I've seen a lot of blog coverage on it, but yeah, no press release or emails out yet. What software do you use right now?

John_A

We've got 4 seats of Solidworks, which I use (Premium and Pro mix). We've also got 3 seat of Inventor, and a seat of Delmia (wow, almost 6 figures for that package). I use Inventor enough to hate it, but it's a good package. I find for what I do, SW is easier and quicker. inventor gives me the Catia heebee geebees, so it's all just in my mind. All the "folders" down the left side of the screen look so, ..Wrong....