Most PCB CAD vendors will charge 15% maintenance fee based on current cost
of product, based on the assumption that if you would purchase the system
today, that's the maintenance fee charged for the next year.  Since with a
maintenance contract we can upgrade the software at will to the latest
version. we pay according to the latest version.  (maybe some CAD vendor
out there is different.)  Just recently went through process of justifying
maintenance costs with management, most everybody's trying to contain
costs.

Maybe software vendors should have two levels of contracts for maintenance:
1)  bug-fixes and current version level enhancements only (Chevy version),
and 2)  fixes, enhancements, and version upgrades (Cadillac/Mercedes
version).  See how far THAT will go... (snicker, snicker)

Like Jerry said,  *sigh*

Roger M. Stoops, C.I.D., PCB Designer


Trimble
Engineering and Construction Division
5475 Kellenburger Rd.
Dayton, OH 45424-1099 USA
Ph: +01 937.233.8921 or +01 937.233.4574 ext 288
Fax: +01 937.233.7511


p.s.:  We're about ready to break out snorkels here in the Midwest U.S.,
wish the rain would stop for a few days...

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