How Autodesk Is Helping Communities, Customers, and Employees Impacted by COVID-19

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) affecting communities, families, and people around the world, this is a difficult time for all of us. Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected, directly or indirectly. At Autodesk, our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our employees, customers, and partners.  

Beyond the health and safety of the Autodesk community, we are also working to ensure our customers have reliable access to their software and Autodesk support. To that end, Autodesk is closely monitoring the guidance provided by governments and health organizations so we can make informed decisions with our entire community in mind. 

Our goal is to respond quickly and compassionately, while balancing the needs of all the constituencies in our community. We are taking several precautionary measures to minimize the potential impact of coronavirus to our communities and our business. As we have updates to share on how we’re supporting customers, employees and communities impacted by COVID-19, expect us to share them here. 

Customers

Autodesk Offers Free & Extended Access to Cloud Collaboration Products (Updated June 22)  

As Autodesk keeps a close eye on the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on our industry, we’re continuing to explore the best ways we can support our customers, flex to meet their changing needs, and minimize disruptions to their business during this challenging time.  

One of the biggest challenges we’ve been hearing about from customers – and we’re facing this challenge at Autodesk ourselves – involves adapting to work in an environment that has become the new normal: more teams and more people working remotely or from home, creating an increased need to collaborate and stay connected. 

To better support customers facing this new reality, Autodesk announced a temporary Extended Access Program for several of our flagship cloud collaboration products. Let me be clear: we’re not introducing this program to convert customers into paying users. Our goal, instead, is to get a program up and running as quickly as possible to provide customers increased flexibility in what’s become a challenging work environment. Here’s how the program will work: 

• Beginning on March 24, customers can get free access to select Autodesk products and services. 
• Products and services will include BIM 360 Docs, BIM 360 Design, Fusion 360, Fusion Team, AutoCAD Web and Mobile, and Shotgun – all for commercial use.
• Customers can take advantage of the Extended Access Program until June 30, 2020.  If you are a current EAP participant, you will need to take action prior to June 30 to ensure you retain access to your projects and data as the Extended Access Program draws to a close.

Here are a few more resources for customers to consider: 

• Visit the COVID-19 Autodesk Resource Center. It’s the best place to stay up to date on the resources our team is providing customers on how to get the most out of Autodesk software, and get useful information on how to get started and remain productive while working remotely. 
• Visit Autodesk’s Design & Manufacturing hub. The new program is intended to help designers, manufacturers and makers find ways to contribute to combating COVID-19 around the world. This includes details on open source design efforts, design review & validation resources, links to manufacturing resources, and more.
• Small businesses (VSBs) face a unique set of challenges, brought about by COVID-19, but it also have new opportunities for growth, learning, and reinvention.  Autodesk is offering a series of resources aimed at helping VSBs better adapt and stay competitive in the future.  This includes information on upskilling, retooling and training programs, in addition to community resources for our Design & Manufacturing; Architecture, Engineering & Construction; and Media & Entertainment customers.  Visit the Small Business resource page on Autodesk.com for more details.  

It’s our hope that these resources help our customers better adapt to the challenges they’re facing in light of COVID-19 – allowing their employees to remain productive and connected. And while ‘business as usual’ might seem like an impossibility for now, the team at Autodesk remains committed to supporting you and your business as you adjust in these challenging times. 

Changes to Make Doing Business with Us Easier (Updated March 13) 

Earlier this week, we made some other changes to make doing business with us easier: 

• We realize these extraordinary times may create cashflow constraints for our customers. To offer some relief, we will extend contract payment terms to 60 days for all customers and partners, for new orders and renewals 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 user starting May 7, 2020, we do not want to introduce a change at a time when business-as-usual is hard enough. You can find more information about this change here.
• We are also evaluating our in-person events and transitioning many to virtual programs or rescheduling for a later date. 

We understand these actions change our previously communicated plans and disrupt our ways of working, but we believe we are taking the right steps and remain optimistic about our shared successes in the future.

Communities  

Bay Area Companies Come Together to Distribute $22M in Funding in Response to the COVID-19 Crisis (Updated March 23)

Through the Autodesk Foundation, we are investing in the global health and local resilience of the more vulnerable populations, nonprofits, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 by:

• Donating $600,000 to support the United Nations Foundation COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, The Centers for Disease Control Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation COVID-19 Regional Response Fund. 
  
• Increasing our donation matching gift program for all employees by matching their donations 2:1 and raising the cap per employee.

Employees 

Travel, Work from Home & Additional Guidance (Updated April 21)

• We continue to prioritize hiring as planned and have shifted all scheduled on-site interviews to virtual meetings until further notice.
• Employees are encouraged to work from home and all business travel is restricted to business-critical until further notice. 
• For employees working from home, Autodesk has the right tools and technology needed for most employees to remain as connected and productive as possible. We are monitoring usage and capacity in real-time and prepared to adjust as needed.
• Our summer internship program will be a fully remote experience this year. Interns can still expect to receive mentorship, collaborate with peers, and learn about and contribute to priority projects for the company – now through virtual experiences. We are excited for the opportunity to learn new ways of working together and look forward to welcoming our summer interns to Autodesk over the next several months.

Please take care of yourselves – and each other. When we all work together, we will not only persevere, but will also realize the opportunity of better through our efforts. 

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates here, as needed. 

Stay well, 

Andrew