Earlier this week Adobe announced (Ars Technica) that their Creative Suite software packages would be replaced by the company’s Creative Cloud offering, a subscription-based service that will see users paying monthly for access and updates. Microsoft has revealing in a blog post that Redmond is thinking along the same lines for Office, though they have given a far longer timeline for an all-subscription service.
The post, titled Software subscriptions: #progressive or #premature?, says that “[l]ike Adobe, we think subscription software-as-a-service is the future”, pointing out the advantages of subscription-based services can offer consumers. Microsoft already offers subscriptions to Office 365 as a service but they go on to say that they think that it will take a little time before consumers are completely ready for it.
“However, unlike Adobe, we think people’s shift from packaged software to subscription services will take time. Within a decade, we think everyone will choose to subscribe because the benefits are undeniable. In the meantime, we are committed to offering choice–premier software sold as a package and powerful services sold as a subscription.”
Source: Ars Technica