Microsoft 365 is released in the Cloud… The Windows operating system is currently available as a standalone version that you can purchase once, but also as a subscription version.
The standalone version of Windows 10 is available, as a full retail version, as system builder version, like an upgrade, but also like a version that already exists on a computer you buy.
The subscription version is called Microsoft 365 and is also available in different service plans. The Microsoft 365 Business edition is the only one available today to anyone, although it's designed primarily for business.
Microsoft, on the other hand, is reportedly moving to the creation of more Windows and Office retail retail subscriptions. The company first started with Office 365, a subscription service for Office. Prices start at $ 69,99 per year and include access to Office applications, online and locally, as well as Cloud online storage.
Microsoft was released recently Microsoft 365. The new service combines Office 365 with Windows 10 and works similarly to Office 365.
You can get a version, pay a monthly or annual fee, and have access to the versions of Office 365 and Windows 10 included in the package.
Microsoft 365 Business, has access to Office 365 Business Premium and Windows 10 Professional. All other subscription pack versions available with Microsoft 365 are business-only services.
The subscriptions to Office 365 at the end of 2016 were about 25 millions according to a Computerworld post. But the growth of new subscribers has slowed, and revenue is not what Microsoft wanted it to be, expecting an annual 43% increase in Office 365 revenue.
If the company makes a subscription model for everyone, at a very affordable price, profits will probably skyrocket!
However, Office 365 is the second fastest growing product (after Azure) to use 2017, and it's too early to say if Microsoft 365 works well as 2017 has just begun.
The question is: Will the world change from a system that you buy once in a very different one that needs annual subscriptions?
Microsoft seems to be focusing on Business plans more, but with Microsoft 365, it is likely to expand services to include Home users in the near future.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the subscription model?
Microsoft 365 as mentioned above includes Office 365 and Windows 10, which means you can access both with one subscription.
You'll always have up-to-date systems, and you do not have to deal with familiar issues with Windows.
Many of the features of the subscription model are very convenient especially for businesses right now. They include services managementof devices, user management and settings devices, deployment using AutoPilot, or automatic deployment of Office applications to desktops.
One of the main disadvantages of the subscription is that instead of paying once you pay constantly. Its cheaper package MicroSoft 365 is available for 20 dollars per month and includes subscription to Office 365 and Windows 10. In total it is 2400 dollars a year.
Another disadvantage of subscribing is that you may lose access or functionality if you stop paying….
Let's say that talking about the pay-as-you-go model is probably talking about the future, where everything will be floating in the Cloud, no matter what the security we know up to now.
So the above question under the last finding loses its meaning as the possibilities of choice will be limited over the years.
