Before software developers began using software subscriptions, users had to use the traditional approach to get the software. The traditional approach to software purchase required that customers buy each new release of the software separately. With the traditional model, it took time for new major releases to be developed and for them to be made available to end users. The model required the software publishers pile up new features to convince the end users to buy the new product release.
As a result of this, developing the software became expensive, as the cost of making the software all over again increased. With the traditional software model, clients were not able to get access to support services once the software had been bought. Furthermore, it took time before the end users got access to the improved technology. All of these limitations changed with the adoption of subscription approach to software. In the subscription model, software end users are required to buy the original software and will get one year free of updates. After the expiry date, users can be able to renew the software’s subscription. In most cases, the price for the renewals is close or less to the price of the original software.
The importance of the subscription model is that end users have access to vital customer support. With this model, customers are able to get support for the software with every release of the update. Since technology is dynamic and changes very often, new improvements are done concerning the software. With subscriptions, users are able to get up to date releases of the improved software. Subscription model allows end users to get software updates as soon as they are released. With the traditional format, software that had bugs had to be reprogrammed and users had to buy them all over again. Subscriptions allow users to get bug free updates, at less cost than the original price. When using the subscription model, users tend to be loyal to the software brand because of the better services available.