This Would Work...
...if it was priced competitively. houseofman's 'License To Steal' model applies here. Normally, when one buys in bulk, one gets a discount. If one agrees to a subscription, you pay a lower price, although over time it'll work out to be a little higher. Either way, there's value there, so it's an incentive for the customer to go that route. I don't know what's been going on the last decade or so in the business world, but the last time I asked for 'Value' License pricing for Office 2007, I think it worked out to ~$195 a seat, ~$245 or more with the 'complimentary upgrade' package. No, thanks. The standard single seat version was ~$185, and we're lucky if we even do work up to Office 2000's standards, so that should be fine for us for the next 5-7 years. Do they lower their subscription or value licensing fees to entice me (I would) to buy more licences? Or to get the upgrade service so my people will have the latest versions, even despite our not being able to use them? It makes sense for them to do so, as they'll get revenue they otherwise wouldn't get, and will get MORE over the long run...
Nope. They decide to stoop to extortion and jack their costs UP, but adopt a licensing stance that 'forces' you to pay those costs. Office365 'Business' at $8-$10 per user per month? Pretty reasonable. What do you mean they only let you 'view' documents at that price point? $15 a month? That's not 'bad', but I don't need all of those extras you get, and total investment over 3 years is $540 as opposed to $200! What if I need to still have access if I'm off-line? $25 a month?!? No thanks! On top of THAT, how much is Google charging? $5 per user per month, or 1/3 of what MS wants for an equivalent plan?
I don't know what they're smoking over at Redmond, but I WANT some. MS Office is a runaway success because it works well, and is an established business 'standard'. So long as prices are reasonable, it'll stay that way. If you get overly large heads and start charging to suit... well, despite my user base being addicted, I'm pretty sure it won't take THAT much re-training and baby-sitting to get them to use Google Docs or an Open Office package...
It must be a US thing, that the businesses figure they can start charging 'per head' prices. Is Bob over there worth 'only' $25 a month? Sure he is! But in Canada we can do simple math! If your competitor is offering a similar package or service for $1,000, and we expect to get 5 years out of it... Well, do the math to figure out which one's the better deal...
