Microsoft says its boxed software probably will be gone within a decade

Ever since Microsoft introduced Office 365 Home Premium subscriptions in January, we’ve been wondering when Microsoft might give up on packaged versions of Office.

Now it seems we have our answer.

The software giant is betting that, over the next 10 years, most people will voluntarily pay for subscriptions instead of purchasing boxed software. “We think subscription software-as-a-service is the future,” Microsoft said on its official Office blog. “Within a decade, we think everyone will choose to subscribe because the benefits are undeniable.”

For now, however, Microsoft says it will continue to offer packaged Office suites in addition to Office 365 subscriptions. “We think people’s shift from packaged software to subscription services will take time,” Microsoft said. “In the meantime, we are committed to offering choice—premier software sold as a package and powerful services sold as a subscription.”

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Source: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2038194/microsoft-says-its-boxed-software-probably-will-be-gone-within-a-decade.html#tk.rss_all

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