Dicker Data has become one of the first distributors in the world to launch Autodesk's new subscription platform, enabling subscription sales of Autodesk software.

David Dicker, Dicker Data chairman and chief executive, says the deal enables resellers to target a new market.

“Partners can now sell Autodesk products at a monthly price point, which has opened the door for them to approach new end users who wouldn't have otherwise had the budget for an upfront full-product purchase,” Dicker says.

Dicker Data is the first distributor in ANZ to go live with Autodesk's Digital Distribution Web Services, and the second in Asia Pacific. The offering will be available via Dicker Data in both Australia and New Zealand.

Kelly Banning, Autodesk APAC channel communications manager, says the Digital Distribution Web Services program is focused on delivering a ‘comprehensive' suite of web services to the channel.

“Partners will use these services to drive automation throughout their business, helping the channel manage the overall increase in order volume and better positioning the channel to be successful with the transition to term-based offerings,” Banning says.

The offering will be available via Dicker Data's CloudPortal platform, with the two companies working closely in recent months to develop the customised interfaces to enable partners to transact the Autodesk subscription-based products seamlessly.

Dicker Data's platform has built-in automated renewal notification capabilities, providing resellers with updates on expiring contracts.

“The platform also supports the variation of the reseller partner's commitment on behalf of their end users on a monthly basis,” Dicker Data says.

“Flexible features such as this enable partners and their end users to manage their commitments in line with their changing staff and project needs.

Banning says Autodesk is focusing on enabling an auto-renew, monthly subscription for single user offering with its key distribution partners.