Resellers optimistic about Adobe cloud launch

New subscription-based programme could see end users save 72 per cent on licences for vendor's major products

Adobe is luring its business customers into the cloud with the launch of its Value Incentive Plan (VIP) which will see end users pay a lower, recurring cost to access its major software products.

VIP is in the process of being rolled out through the channel and is expected to formally launch before Q2. It is a subscription-based licensing programme which allows users to install programmes locally after accessing them via the cloud, and allows access to instant software upgrades.

The vendor claims the programme can guarantee software licence compliance through a management tool which identifies purchased and deployed products.

The scheme is currently available only through Platinum partners, but is set to eventually be distributed through Gold, Certified and legacy Silver partners. Reseller training begins next week.

Jon McKellar, Adobe Platinum partner Computacenter's software solution sales manager, said the VIP programme has gone down well with the reseller's key customers since its soft launch last year.

"We were made aware of the changes in September as we are a large Adobe partner. They were testing ideas with us and we were able to take some soft messaging out to our key customers," he added.

"It has been reasonably well received. Customers like the flexibility of moving to a subscription model. Some Adobe products are very powerful, and this programme is a better way to get what they need. As a broad idea, it has been generally well received."

Adobe claimed on its website that its Creative Cloud for Teams product, which is available from resellers through VIP, "provides maximum flexibility, lower upfront costs and... the ability for Adobe to deliver cutting-edge innovation on an immediate and ongoing basis".

One reseller told ChannelWeb that the monthly subscription cost of Creative Cloud for Teams is £52 per user per month, equating to £624 annually. The vendor's traditional products bought through resellers via its Transactional Licensing Programme (TLP) cost end users about £2,200 a year, meaning cloud subscribers could save about 72 per cent annually.

VIP is available to companies of all sizes, and involves no minimum licence purchase requirements. The Creative Cloud licence includes 20GB of storage as well as two "expert service calls".

Richard Gibbons, Adobe reseller Bechtle's software manager, claimed the lower costs and instant access to upgrades are likely to be very popular with customers.

He said: "I think Microsoft heralded a change with its inclusion of Office Pro Plus in the Office 365 suites, and Adobe is a logical choice to follow a similar path.

"I think the subscription aspect may work even better for Adobe as, in general, the organisations using its software (particularly the creative products such as Photoshop and InDesign) need to stay up to date.

"If their competitors have access to features/effects that they do not, it could make a huge difference, so the included version upgrades will be very attractive."