While the concept of annual licences has been around for decades, it wasn't until the start of this century that technology became sophisticated enough to make it a viable option for businesses. Many companies are now shifting towards a combination of annual licences and capital purchase investment for customers software needs, and you might be wondering how this change affects you directly. Let's delve into what this transition entails and why it's beneficial for you…
Understanding the Annual Licence Model
Traditionally, purchasing software involved a large Cap-Ex investment however once purchased the software was immediately out of date. New features and functionality require the user to continually repurchase the software. Traditionally companies were reluctant to make regular updates – instead making a large shift once every 5-10 years. For end users this meant large sums of money having to be budgeted for and large amounts of time where they were behind the curve.
Addressing Common Concerns
You may have concerns about security and ownership when considering annual licences. However, it is important to note that with this type of model you still own the software in perpetuity. The initial purchase of the software ensures ownership of the purchased version is yours, however the annual licence offers a cost-effective way of accessing bugfixes, updates and new features and functionality – without having to go through unmanageable budget process or using a large proportion of your budget to update software. This gives end users the ability to access features and functionality that offer the flexibility to adapt to changing needs and access the tools necessary to stay competitive.
Embracing Efficiency and Innovation
Staying ahead in business requires more than just keeping pace; it requires innovation. New tests, standards, legislation are constantly being created and software needs to be dynamic enough to keep up. Annual licences provide access to the latest tools and technologies, empowering you to drive your business forward without being held back by outdated software.
Utilising an annual licence is about equipping your business to thrive without any hidden costs. Flexibility, efficiency, and innovation is needed to stay at the forefront of research or maintain your competitive edge.
Why the move to a licence model?
Traditionally, software such as GDSLAB V2 was sold as a physical product with a one-time cost. However, the annual licence model challenges this approach to respond to the end user’s needs.
The reality now is that pace of change in data acquisition and the need to be able to interpret in accurately and in new and innovative ways – meaning that end users will quickly fall behind or become restricted by their ability to keep up with their peers when creating exporting and managing their data.
As standards change, research pushes the boundaries and businesses need to access data from test faster and more simply to satisfy commercial needs. Software needs to keep pace with these customer requirements. The financial costs and time costs of having to re-run a test if the parameters change have large impacts.
Regular development is key to this, and it is well documented that licenced models provide better return on development for end users & their businesses.
Cost effectiveness
Traditional software purchases require repurchasing for access to new features, resulting in unsustainable costs and impact on cash flow. Annual licences provide predictable operational expenses and continuous updates, allowing you to allocate your budget more efficiently.
Innovations and Continuous Evolution
Today's business world thrives on rapid innovation. Licensed software ensures you're always equipped with the latest tools, giving you a competitive edge.
Future Proofing
Unlike on-premise (dongle) products, licensed software evolves continuously, ensuring you always have access to the latest features without unpredictable extra fees. This futureproofing safeguards your investment, keeps you ahead of the competition in both research and commercial situations.
Empowering End users
Licensed software puts the power to innovate back in your hands, freeing you from legacy infrastructure and gives you software that enables you to push past the boundaries of current limitations. Experience the benefits of licensed software today and unlock yours and your business's full potential now and in the future.