New Licensing

[JCBigler]

Originally Posted by Righty27

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home...what-they.html

If this is true, then it might be sometime before we get a clear answer to the questions raised in this thread. Which is bad, because the longer the is goes on the more customers they are going to lose.

[Jay_uk]

Originally Posted by Carl Kolchak

I think the correct term, under the circumstance, is Pro Lapsed

He He

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by JCBigler

the longer this goes on the more customers they are going to lose.

I have been told that Avid is preparing the answers right now

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Righty27

Russ can generally be relied on to provide some well-informed insight into Avid and he's just posted this on PTE:

http://www.pro-tools-expert.com/home...what-they.html

I guess it's even possible that PTE is being used to communicate an unofficial message that Avid are hearing us and to bear with them?

I mentioned something earlier in this thread that I thought the copywriter for the web page announcement got the message messed up. Now whether he/she got the wrong stuff to write up or something else we may never know.

As to your last statement that could be true. I know Russ has stated that Avid is not happy with him and the crew at PTE for being negative towards Avid Everywhere and could be feeding him stories to get back on his good side.

[Greg M]

From the article Barry sited (StudioDaily):

"Avid has just finished a financial restatement that took more than a year, during which the company refigured its accounting, mainly to comply with new rules requiring certain types of revenue associated with product upgrades to be accounted for over the period of time when software updates were actually provided, rather than when original purchase transactions took place."

It may be that this accounting requirement is at the root of the "new Support, Everywhere, Upgrade plan". I guess you can book revenue (which is supposed to be actual cash received) legally without actually having to wait to deliver an Upgrade if you are coupling Upgrades with the Everywhere and Support Plan too. I.E., we pay for Everywhere and Support and they throw in Upgrades for free - legally booked revenue.

Quite a scheme to level/improve revenue. Likely something that shareholders would like as it should result in more predictable dividends - which is what shareholders and analysts really want to hear. Predictability is unbelievably paramount in the investment world.

The big question is the details of implementation (what this thread is about!!!) and whether it will be good for the PT user or not.

On a slightly different note and the discussion of MC and PT: Recall that Sony Vegas originally was a DAW with video capabilities. Over time it has evolved primarily into a Video editor with audio capabilities with 95% of updates and features devoted to the video side, not audio. Nothing says Avid will do the same, but I fear the bigger money is in video.

Hopefully, we will know more soon.

Greg

[clive.gardner]

Old way of doing business:

"To ensure the new version of our product sells well, we need to make sure the upgrade is compelling; feature rich, stable, ahead of the competition - lets give the users a great product, something they really want. After all, strong sales will keep our investors happy!"

New way of doing business:

"Well, the users are deeply invested in our platform, we've got their money upfront, a gun against their head to keep them on the wagon, and cunningly we haven't made any promises, so whats the big rush to deliver anything? Now, about that swanky new HQ we've got our eye on..."

[Righty27]

Originally Posted by Greg M

It may be that this accounting requirement is at the root of the "new Support, Everywhere, Upgrade plan". I guess you can book revenue (which is supposed to be actual cash received) legally without actually having to wait to deliver an Upgrade if you are coupling Upgrades with the Everywhere and Support Plan too. I.E., we pay for Everywhere and Support and they throw in Upgrades for free - legally booked revenue.

Really good spot Greg! I believe the subtle difference between getting free support with your software/upgrade and a free upgrade with a support plan has been noted in this thread. However, combined with Avid's recent accounting issues (which affected its stock listing) and the timing of the Everywhere launch, these could well all be linked and would suggest some quite joined-up thinking!

Unfortunately, how this all impacts the customers who have to pay for it all has again been poorly communicated ... but it sounds like the communications cavalry is on the way!

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Righty27

Really good spot Greg! I believe the subtle difference between getting free support with your software/upgrade and a free upgrade with a support plan has been noted in this thread. However, combined with Avid's recent accounting issues (which affected its stock listing) and the timing of the Everywhere launch, these could well all be linked and would suggest some quite joined-up thinking!

Unfortunately, how this all impacts the customers who have to pay for it all has again been poorly communicated ... but it sounds like the communications cavalry is on the way!

I'm not so sure this new Avid plan is a free upgrade with a paid support plan. Rather I'm thinking it's paid support AND paid upgrade with the total amount spent equal to what it would cost to purchase PT new. Somehow I don't see Avid being benevolent enough to give us free upgrades with a $199 support plan for regular PT and not charging for the upgrade itself. I'm seeing Avid as Scrooge here before the visits of the ghosts.

[Greg M]

There is nothing benevolent about it. You are really paying for everything. It's more like a car dealer selling you 4 tires for $25k and throwing in rest of the car for free.

Greg

[Jay_uk]

This is all Deja Vu
It keeps repeating and i dont think its accidental. There is drama at every turn.
I can only think that Avid behave this way so that they can gauge the response.
The Mushroom committee ….. feeds you cr@p and keeps you in the dark