Pafec Ltd of Nottingham is practically giving away its PC DOGS computer aided design product (CI No 845) in an attempt to attract more custom. Until December last year PC DOGS was available for UKP3,000 but now an enhanced version – but without the three-dimensional capability of the previous version – will be going to anyone who wants it for the giveaway price of UKP15 and that’s simply to cover the cost of floppy disks and literature. There is no limit on the number of packages a company, or individual, can buy and once you have one any number of copies can be made. Pafec is confident that it is going to make money on this venture since, in its experience, computer aided design users who start off with the MS-DOS package have to upgrade to get the performance they need. PC DOGS, typically used by engineers and architects, has had VGA/CGA graphics and DXF interface capabilities added. A support service will be in operation with a couple of options. Users can make five telephone calls to get help with their problems at a cost of UKP100 or they can fork out UKP300 to cover as many calls as necessary over a year. Despite the giveaway price for the product, an enhanced PC DOGS Plus is in development, and upgrades will be free. And for disgruntled customers who bought the full 3D package up to three months before the announcement, a credit note will be given to cover the entire cost. Pafec bought Logan Associates at the end of 1987 to take it into the area of computer-aided process planning. Pafec was set up in 1976 but the founders had been developing the product at Nottingham University since 1964.
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