CMS, INCReviews of intellicadms.com

CMS IntelliCAD is very good as a CAD software, has more functionality than AutoCAD LT and if you are familiar with familiar with the latter, you will have no problem using Intellicad's features. However, when buying, you need to know what you are paying for and not all information is provided in the product descriptions. Especially when it can cost you a lot. Let's say you decide to buy a CMS IntelliCAD PE Standalone perpetual license. Nowhere in the product description does it say that when using the program normally, like all other programs, you will only be able to activate it 2 times. After that, you will no longer be able to use the software. You will still have the license, but you will not be able to use the program until you pay an additional $179. The customer can see such information only after buying the software, in the purchase confirmation email and in the EULA (before installing the software). The software can be reinstalled, as stated in the EULA "(...) so long as the Computer Systems are properly deactivated and activated or reactivated via the Software’s License Manager function." The License Manager function is not in a separate application (like Autodesk LM), but a function of the CMS IntelliCAD program. If the software was previously uninstalled without manually deactivating the license or if your computer, HDD or SSD or operating system failed, you will only be able to reinstall it once. If both activations have already been used, it will be impossible to run InteliCAD and deactivate / reactivate the license. This is created by design. EULA: "(...) If, for any reason, LICENSEE is unable to deactivate/activate/reactivate, then LICENSEE may acquire a support or maintenance pack to assist." The company says that in this case YOU cannot do something, although in fact the software is designed so that you cannot reactivate the software the way as you do with almost any other software on the market. Customer might think that normally, when software is unninstalled, it deactivates itself, becouse there is no active license on the system anymore. This is not the case with CMS IntelliCAD standalone perpetual license. Customer will still have the license active online but will be restricted from using the software and deactivating or reactivating it. It is created so to extract more money from the customers by making them pay $179 for so called Support Pack. And in my opinion, it seems fraudulent. Because such information is not provided on the software product page. And it is understandable why - because probably no one would buy it by knowing such conditions. The CAD software itself is very good, and looks even better when you are offered a generous discount, but the licensing is problematic, complicated and confusing. It is not that no information is provided, it is just hidden. My recommendation is not to buy. But if you decide to buy it or are tempted by a good discount, before buying, download a trial version, read the EULA carefully, look for information about licenses on the forum, read reviews, and consult a lawyer.

Just like an earlier review left on 21st Sep 2019, I also found out to my shock, that even though I paid for the software CMS IntelliCAD 11.1 PE Plus, an upgrade from 10.0 PE Plus that I paid for as well, IF your computer breaks, and you have not transferred the Licence you have to pay $179 to get the 2 activation limit reset. Support assures me this is in the EULA (really who reads it anyway) Sadly, I will not be paying again for the software I already thought I owned, or maybe the EULA says I only rent the software. I used to be an advocate for CMS and was a long-time AutoCAD user that could see the value of IntelliCAD alternatives, but after today you have lost a customer. The fact that Support just points you to the EULA your only option is to pay up, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. Yes, it's not CMS fault my computer broke or that I did not read the EULA or that I did not keep track that I might already be on the 2 activation limit, but surly it’s a simple reset in your licence server and if that licence is used somewhere else it becomes unlicensed. I cannot except it cost $179 for a simple reset. So this review is to warn existing and potential users. I am not here to mislead, just explain what happened and what CMS believes is a viable solution. All I wanted was a bit of understanding and help from Support after a stressful computer rebuild. By the way, all other licenced software I own from other vendors re-installed perfectly without any of types of barriers. I opted out of license on USB as there is a bigger chance of misplacing the USB, and then I am in the same boat. Bottom line is, I am not paying $179 to reset software Licence I paid for already and other users or potential users of CMS should know about this. It should not matter how many time I have requested activation of the software in the past, there is only myself using it and if I move devices that should not be an issue. I will move on from this and see it as a lesson learned and to avoid CMS software.