I had a similar reaction when I looked over the new pricing structure. Maybe it
was a misunderstanding on my part, but I thought FS was changing things up in
an effort to make jaws more affordable and available to more blind people. But
what I see here is just the opposite. Very disappointing but perhaps not so
surprising since FS is in business to make money after all.
Sent from Kimber's iPhone
The happy ending still beckons, and it is in the hope of grasping it that we go
on.—Annie Proulx
On Dec 15, 2018, at 10:01 AM, David Goldfield <david.goldfield@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Hi, Robin.
It's a good question. I think it's safe to assume that the SMA still provides
the next two major updates since the press release doesn't mention any
changes to what you can expect to receive by purchasing an SMA at the newer,
more expensive price. The announcement documents several changes and it would
likely indicate a change to what the SMA provides if FS intended to make such
a change. What I'd like a definitive answer to is why these prices are
actually increasing. On one hand, FS has taken several steps to make JAWS and
some of their other software more affordable for more people. This includes
payment plans for students through APH, providing a free one-year license
when purchasing a computer from Computers for the Blind, offering their
software and SMAs at national blindness conventions at home use prices, home
edition licensing as a subscription, etc. It also seems that software, in
general, tends to decrease in price over time. Yet they are increasing the
cost of what they and others call a perpetual license, meaning that you pay
for one copy in full and it runs for as long as you need it, as well as
increasing the cost of the SMA. Those who will be hit the hardest are the
JAWS Professional users, including large companies who have purchased
licenses for many users or even site or district licenses, such as schools
and other large campuses. People who are anti-Freedom Scientific may be
tempted to just accuse them of all-out greed in a knee-jerk reaction but I
don't think the answer is that simple. Is this a way of attempting to recoup
some of the short-term costs which might have been lost as a result of annual
home license sales? Is more time and research needed to ensure compatibility
with newer versions of Windows 10 along with apps such as Edge, Office 365
and Office 2019? Has FS noticed a decline in sales, possibly due to NVDA
continuing to advance with features? Is research being conducted to push JAWS
beyond the boundaries of traditional Windows machines into something newer?
We may never really know but it would be at least courteous if FS could make
a formal statement on their reasoning behind these changes. It's possible
that this issue was addressed during the December 13 FS Open Line, which is
their new monthly call-in program. I missed the episode but it should be made
available soon on the next episode of their FSCast podcast.
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
On 12/15/2018 1:06 AM, Robin Frost wrote:
Hi,
Firstly my apologies for the subject change but my email program yelled at
me as the re: designation took it past the 255 character count oopsey
(laughs).
Maybe I’m stuck on slow but it’s unclear to me from reading this if the SMA
upgrade of $150 still gets you two versions or just one? Does anyone know
definitively?
Robin
From: David Goldfield
Sent: Friday, December 14, 2018 9:46 PM
To: blind-philly-comp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-philly-comp] Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US
Pricing and Software Delivery Options,Annual Licenses under $100 for Home
Users of JAWS and ZoomText in the US, electronic delivery of licenses 24/7,
and new prices for traditional licenses, upgrades, and SMAs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Eric Damery
800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000
www.FreedomScientific.com
Sales: info@xxxxxxxxxxx
Freedom Scientific Announces Changes to US Pricing and Software Delivery
Options
Annual Licenses under $100 for Home Users of JAWS and ZoomText in the US,
electronic delivery of licenses 24/7, and new prices for traditional
licenses, upgrades, and SMAs
(Clearwater, Florida - December 10, 2018)
Freedom Scientific today announced changes that have been implemented so all
software licenses purchased are delivered to customers electronically, along
with instructions on how to download and install. PDF versions of the user
documentation is available to download and print, or can be purchased for
delivery in print and Braille directly from our online store for a nominal
fee.
New Software License Options for US-only available now
New Home Annual Licenses of JAWS and ZoomText are available for purchase via
online sales only in one, three, or five year terms. Prices are as follows:
JAWS - $90 per year
ZoomText Mag/Reader - $80 per year
Perpetual License Price Changes for US as of January 1, 2019
Product License SMA/Upgrade (per version)
JAWS Professional $1200 $300
JAWS Home $1000 $150
ZoomText Magnifier/Reader $700 $175
ZoomText Magnifier $500 $125
Fusion Professional $1700 $400
Fusion Home $1400 $270
*Upgrades and SMAs available for all perpetual licenses, call for pricing
All sales and quotes prior to end of year 2018 will be at current price
levels
All software sales continue to include free phone and email support
Coming Early in 2019
Details will be announced soon on new Student Annual Licenses of JAWS and
ZoomText, offered FREE to students attending most Higher Education
Institutions in the United States.
About Freedom Scientific
Freedom Scientific is a leading worldwide brand of assistive technology
products for those with vision impairments. Freedom Scientific is part of
Vispero™. Vispero has its headquarters in the USA and the Netherlands, and
offices in Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Through Vispero's multi-tier distribution, Freedom Scientific products are
available in more than 70 countries worldwide.
Freedom Scientific® and its products are registered trademarks in the United
States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products
mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist WWW.David-Goldfield.Com
