Perpetual Licenses for FrameMaker and TCS

[LinSims]

Over on the Framers email list, a user has reported a rumor that Adobe is going to discontinue support for perpetual licenses for FrameMaker and move to a subscription-only plan, as it has with Creative Cloud.

I responded that I thought they were confusing FrameMaker/Technical Communications Suite with the Creative Cloud apps, but also said I'd check here to be certain.

So to clarify:

1. Is Adobe planning to move to a subscription-only pricing plan for FrameMaker?
2. Is Adobe planning to move to a subscription-only pricing plan for the Technical Communications Suite and all its apps?
3. If Adobe is planning to keep both the perpetual license model and the subscription model for TCS, what version of Acrobat is going to be included for its next release, since Acrobat is now subscription only and the version in the current version of TCS is frozen?

(Lynne Price suggested that I start a new thread for this so it doesn't get confused with the earlier question about whether or not Adobe is continuing support and development of FrameMaker.)

[Jeff_Coatsworth]

linsims Since you did a manual "branch" of your post already (lol), I deleted your original post over on that other thread.

[Lynne A. Price]

I certainly hope the perpetual licenses continue. There have been some significant changes to FM in the last few releases (such as the menu reorganization in FM 2017) and upgrading can be a significant retraining cost for an organization with a large number of writers. Companies schedule upgrades based on technical requirements and staff availability, and not on a renewal schedule.

As a consultant, I have customers using numerous versions of FM. I need to continue to have outdated versions around even if it's only to answer questions about different results between new and old versions.

       --Lynne

[JonBe]

I have two customers using Frame 2019, one has a serial number, and the other has been set up with named users, so I guess at least for 2019, both perpetual and subscription are available. For myself I have a subscription, paid monthly. I would have to say that there is no difference to Frame 2019 between perpetual and subscription, as in updating and installation is all manual.

I suggest you ping TCS support tcssup@adobe.com to get a definitive answer, hopefully.

Jon

[Amitoj · Accepted solution]

Adobe Technical Communication line of products: ASA or M&S perpetual channel licensing plans discontinued worldwide from 1 July 2019 

This is to announce that, as of 1 July 2019, Adobe Software Assurance (ASA) or Maintenance and Support (M&S) perpetual channel licensing plans (new & renewal) are being discontinued worldwide for the following products:

1. Adobe Technical Communication Suite
2. Adobe FrameMaker
3. Adobe FrameMaker Publishing Server
4. Adobe RoboHelp
5. Adobe RoboHelp Server

Customers will still be able to purchase perpetual licenses of all the above-mentioned products through Channel (Adobe authorized resellers) under Transactional Licensing Program (TLP) and Cumulative Licensing Program (CLP) even after 1 July 2019. Customers who are currently enrolled for Adobe Software Assurance (ASA) or Maintenance and Support (M&S) plans for any of the above-mentioned products will continue to avail of all the benefits for these programs till the expiry date of the current contract.

Additionally, customers will still be able to purchase Gold Support for the perpetual licenses of all the above-mentioned products. More details on Gold Support can be found here.

Details on the various enterprise buying programs can be found here.

If you have any questions, please feel to reach us at techcomm@adobe.com.

Thanks
Amitoj Singh, Product Manager, Adobe Technical Communication Tools

[LinSims]

Maybe I'm missing something, which is entirely possible because I don't speak legal or corporate very well, but aren't all of the programs you mention (ASA, M&S, CLP, and TLP, aimed at companies buying licenses and support in bulk? How does this affect companies buying, say, fewer than 5 licenses, or those of us who purchase products as individuals?

[Amitoj]

Hi Lin

The above announcement would not impact :

a) individual (retail) perpetual users

b) users who have bought licenses in a difference licensing program than those mentioned above

Hope this helps.

Thanks

Amitoj Singh

[LinSims]

If I understand you correctly, what you are saying is that perpetual licenses will remain available for individuals and for companies buying in either small quantities or in bulk, but that the companies buying in bulk will have to move to a different type of licensing program to continue buying perpetual licenses in bulk if they were previously buying through ASA and M&S.

Thank you for your patience in explaining.

[Amitoj]

Adobe FrameMaker (2019 release)-Buying Guide

has those details linsims

It is difficult to define small quantities as a term. Best to use the buying guide above as reference point

Thanks

Amitoj Singh

[K.Daube]

Amitoj, I know that pricing is in the competence of others than You...

I find it awfully discriminating, that I in Switzerland would have to pay 50% more (CHF 1500) than a US customer (999 USD) with the current exchange rate of 0.99 CHF/USD.

IMHO this big difference can never be explained by localisation cost - The English version costs me the same as the German or French version (which, ahem, is in the same installation package).

This is hefty as I still am 'consulting', albeit not for money any more...

Only as beta testers we have special conditions - but only for the current version as long the the beta test program runs.

[Amitoj]

Please disregard the 2 erroneous sentences above: Additionally, customers will still be able to purchase Gold Support for the perpetual licenses of all the above-mentioned products. More details on Gold Support can be found here.

Correct message: Starting 1 July 2019, even Gold Support for perpetual licenses of all the above-mentioned Tech Comm products would be discontinued worldwide. More details can be found here.

Thanks

Amitoj Singh

[JonBe]

Amitoj,

Thanks for your attempts to clearly state the licensing options, however the link you posted goes to a TCS support general page, which does not seem to be too helpful?

I received an email from Adobe about TCS pricing that links to https://www.adobe.com/au/products/technicalcommunicationsuite/buying-guide.html (Oz region) that discusses both subscription and perpetual licensing for both individuals and enterprises. This is a step in the right direction with clear options on the choices available, in my opinion.

I am grateful I only have to deal with the individual licensing options.

Jon.