[German]The trend towards subscription models instead of one-off payments when purchasing software does not stop at Paessler and its PRTG software. A blog reader recently informed me about this change to PRTG from Paessler. I'll post the information here in the blog – including the information that Paessler AG has a new investor.
PRTG from Paessler
Paessler PRTG is a network monitoring software from Paessler AG. According to Wikipedia, the term PRTG covers several software variants that monitor and classify system conditions and collect statistics from various hosts such as switches, routers, servers and other devices and applications. PRTG has been written from software developer Dirk Paessler and runs on Linux, macOS and Windows.
Switch to subscription license
As you can already see in the screenshot above, the entry "Flexible subscription license" can now be found under each of the three PRTG products offered. Blog reader D.A. contacted me by e-mail the other day and pointed out a new feature under the subject "PRTG license prices" (thanks for that). At the beginning of July 2024, the reader was confronted with the fact that Passler has completely changed its license model for PRTG.
AAs of now, no maintenance extensions can be concluded for the perpetual licenses, the reader wrote. Customers can now only book the subscription model (subscription license). The reader described his experience as follows: "One year of subscription now costs € 6,099. If you commit for three years, you get 40% (transition discount). After three years, you pay the full price." He then asked Paessler and received the following feedback.
To further accelerate the improvement of our world-class monitoring solution for our more than 500,000 PRTG customers, we have transitioned from our old perpetual license model to the new industry-standard subscription model.
As part of this transition, we no longer offer maintenance renewals for our perpetual licenses.
Our standard subscription model includes an initial 3-year subscription term with annual payment. To ease the transition and show our appreciation for our partnership, we are offering you a significant discount when you switch from your perpetual license to our new subscription model. The discount is valid for the full 3 years.
Please note that the subscription is automatically renewed in 1-year increments at the end of the initial 3-year term unless canceled. The cancellation period for the subscription is 90 days before the automatic renewal date.
As an observer, you naturally wonder why this change in the license model is happening? The reader pointed out to me that Turn/River Capital has joined Paessler AG as an investor – this German article from May 2024 in computer & automation points this out. It says "The investment strategy includes providing capital as well as operational support in areas such as sales, marketing, customer success and talent acquisition." But it's surely just a coincidence that this move coincides with the switch to a subscription license model. Perhaps the information will be of interest to some readers. Or perhaps it is already known.
