Boxed Software - Is The End Near?
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Most of you are aware that Microsoft is no longer offering their Microsoft Money in box form. Instead the Redmond giant will be offering future versions of Money for download online only. But is this the wave of the future? That all depends on who you listen to. People who support the online download cite the fact that with broadband it is now easier to download most software. This may be true, but what about the folks that are still on dialup?
We would all like to think that broadband is available to everyone in the world. But the fact is that this is not the case. Here in the US, we rank 15th in the world when it comes to a broadband connection. In reality there are millions of folks who are stuck with dial-up, since broadband is not offered to them. I know, I know, broadband is available via satellite, but the expense of a satellite connection is still not affordable for many users.
You may recall that when computers were starting to be used for businesses, the hype was that this would be the start to the paperless office. Well we are still waiting for that day to come. I believe that like the paperless office, tossing out boxed software may be the same pipe dream. Until everyone has access to a broadband connection, this may just be pie in the sky dreaming.
What do you think? Is boxed software on he way out?
Comments welcome.
One Comment
Doug McFarlane
September 25th, 2008
at 7:06am
A company would save tons of money not having to produce the packaging, handle the distribution (although S&H charges would more than make up for that), etc. And, if the product is being sold at retail outlets, the company isn’t receiving anywhere near the full selling price.
If they went online only, they get 100% of the profits, and it costs them nothing to manage and distribute. But, I think they should always offer an online box version to ship, at a higher price to cover the extra costs. And with ordering online, it will ensure you always get the latest version, not some outdated version that was on the store shelves for a year.
So I predict retail sales will vanish, but boxed versions will remain as a more pricey option direct from the developers.