AGILE™ Products Support (APS) is available for all Concepts NREC software users. APS must be purchased from the original software license date and is acquired by the user on an annual basis. APS includes the following:
- Software Upgrades
- Technical Support
- Annual APS Subscribers Meetings
- Ongoing Training and Skills Enhancement
- Design Review Service
- Free Course Attendance
- Reduced Design and Development Contract Fees
Two types of software upgrades are available to current APS subscribers: annual upgrades; and improved features upgrades.
A new version of each program, known as the annual upgrade, is released each year. At the beginning of the year, work to be accomplished for the next annual upgrade is itemized in a development plan. Each company can look ahead to see what changes are planned. Users may also provide specific requests for the year's development efforts, which are voted on by the APS subscribers. There are no charges for annual upgrades for organizations that participate continuously in APS. Non-USA subscribers must have a current End-User Statement on file to fulfill export regulations and, in some cases, an export license may be required before shipment.
Current APS subscribers may also improve the features of their licensed software programs through upgrades to higher package levels or the addition of more modes. Improved features upgrades can be purchased for the price difference between the new and previous levels, based upon current prices. Companies that elect not to participate in APS and have not participated in the development process may still purchase upgrades at any time, but must first reinstate APS (see below) to do so. Software upgrade policies are not guaranteed on third party software sold by Concepts NREC.
Technical SupportConcepts NREC provides technical support to users of the Agile Engineering Design System® through APS. It is provided for the new or current version of a code and the immediately preceding version only. Technical support consists of assistance with installation, software operation, investigation of suspected programming errors, and help with difficult applications (but not design assistance). Concepts NREC responds to software application questions from APS subscribers on a quick turnaround basis, usually within one business day of the original inquiry. Telephone, fax, or e-mail (e-mail is preferred) inquiries are accepted. Technical support for installation and software operation issues is provided for all users during the first 30 days after purchase. Beyond this initial 30-day period, APS subscribers continue to receive technical support but non-APS subscribers are provided technical support on a paid contract basis only. Actual design assistance for both APS subscribers and non-subscribers is also available on a consulting basis by paying hourly rates for engineers and technicians under a separate contract. Inquiries are warmly and strongly encouraged. Suggestions for revisions to software manuals are also solicited, using the Suggestions Form found in Concepts NREC users manuals. Revisions are automatically released to all APS subscribers, announced by e-mail.
Annual APS Subscribers
Meetings
Each year, a subscribers meeting will be held at Concepts NREC
with remote users welcomed electronically. Users are invited to
review new versions and to assist in the planning process for
future enhancements through a formal balloting process for each
product.
Ongoing Training and
Skills Enhancement (Design Software Workshops)
Concepts NREC periodically holds Design Software Workshops (DSWs)
at our Vermont headquarters and at various locations around the
world. Sessions may be offered during these workshops for all
Concepts NREC software programs. Users are instructed in the latest
code enhancements and have the opportunity to improve their knowledge
of code operation. DSWs are usually scheduled to be three to five
days in length. Sessions are taught by experienced Concepts NREC
turbomachinery designers, software engineers, and other staff.
APS subscribers receive a 75% discount (pay only 25%) for the
first attendee, a 50% discount for the second attendee, and a
25% discount for the third attendee. All course work is based
on standard sample cases. Customized sample cases require supplemental
charges of $1500 per extra day of special training. Contact Concepts
NREC for special quotations.
Concepts NREC will provide one brief written design review per year for each APS subscriber. This design review must be based on a complete written design or laboratory report (25 pages maximum) submitted by the user.
Free Course Attendance (Professional Development
Program)
Subscribers receive a coupon good for one free related Concepts
NREC course for one person during the year. Courses are three
to five days long and normally cost between $1,400 and $2,270.
A student who attends a course free of charge must still buy books
used in the course.
Concepts NREC performs design and development work for a variety of clients and charges software usage fees for these projects. These fees are roughly 15% of a given project's total price and are used to fund software enhancements. Current APS subscribers do not pay software usage fees for the use of supported software in design work they contract with Concepts NREC.
