Software Assurance - Revision history

MartinW: Replaced content with "''TBA''"

2026-05-07T14:24:52Z

Replaced content with "''<span style="color:red;">TBA</span>''"

MartinW at 14:23, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T14:23:04Z

MartinW: Created page with "Just like previous versions of Flowcode, when you purchase Flowcode you receive a perpetual licence to use it forever. During a major release (e.g. v9 or v10) we provide fre..."

2026-05-06T14:20:10Z

Created page with "Just like previous versions of Flowcode, when you purchase Flowcode you receive a perpetual licence to use it forever. During a major release (e.g. v9 or v10) we provide fre..."

New page

Just like previous versions of Flowcode, when you purchase Flowcode you receive a perpetual licence to use it forever.

During a major release (e.g. v9 or v10) we provide free updates for the software which often includes new features, new components, bug fixes, etc.

When a new major version is released, you are charged to upgrade to the new version - often with a discount (e.g. 40% when coming from v10 -> v11).

Our new Software Assurance scheme formalises this process to some extent.

When you purchase v11, you will receive 12 months of Software Assurance, which means that any updates (large and small) are free for you during this period.

Towards the end of this 12 month period, you will have the option to extend this Software Assurance for a further 12 months.

Our development team have been very keen to implement a scheme like this because we can now release new features and improvements to Flowcode quicker without holding them back for a new major release.

For example, the new 2d panel zoom feature was developed well over a year ago, but we chose to keep that feature for v11.

Here are some more details:

Current delivery model and its problems

We release a major version of Flowcode every few years.

This new version needs new features to entice users to upgrade to the new version.

Improvements and fixes often need to wait for this new major release - sometimes more than 18 months.

A better experience for users would be to have continuous improvement of Flowcode.

This would also have the benefits for Matrix of a more relaxed release process and a more even and predictable revenue stream.

Software Assurance - how does it work?

Just like the current licensing system, users will purchase the new version of Flowcode (again, with a discount if coming from v9 or v10).

This provides a perpetual licence for that particular version of Flowcode, along with a Software Assurance licence for any upgrades to Flowcode for the following 12 months.

After 12 months (and every subsequent year), users will be asked to renew their licence by paying an ongoing software assurance fee (35%). This provides access to free upgrades for the following 12 months.

If a user drops off this Software Assurance scheme, they will still be allowed to use Flowcode in perpetuity. However, they will no longer receive updates to the core package and will also receive limited updates to components, etc.

If they want to rejoin the Software Assurance scheme, they will need to repurchase a licence for Flowcode.

Any chip-pack purchased has a perpetual licence and the devices available to you now will continue to be available even without paying the annual Software Assurance payment.

What are the benefits?

For a loyal user who consistently purchases new versions, the overall cost difference is not too different.

Bug fixes and quality improvements should be released quicker (rather than waiting for major new version).

For the user who does not upgrade there is no real change: they get to keep the software as it was when the purchase was made with the updates for the 12 months after purchase date.

Overall, the development of Flowcode can be better geared towards improving existing aspects of Flowcode rather than developing major new features.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 7 May 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
−	~~Just like previous versions of Flowcode, when you purchase Flowcode you receive a perpetual licence to use it forever.~~	+	''<span style="color:red;">TBA</span>''
−
−	~~During a major release (e.g. v9 or v10) we provide free updates for the software which often includes new features, new components, bug fixes, etc.~~
−
−	~~When a new major version is released, you are charged to upgrade to the new version - often with a discount (e.g. 40% when coming from v10 -> v11).~~
−
−	~~Our new Software Assurance scheme formalises this process to some extent.~~
−
−	~~When you purchase v11, you will receive 12 months of Software Assurance, which means that any updates (large and small) are free for you during this period.~~
−
−	~~Towards the end of this 12 month period, you will have the option to extend this Software Assurance for a further 12 months.~~
−
−	~~Our development team have been very keen to implement a scheme like this because we can now release new features and improvements to Flowcode quicker without holding them back for a new major release.~~
−
−	~~For example, the new 2d panel zoom feature was developed well over a year ago, but we chose to keep that feature for v11.~~
−
−
−	~~=====More details=====~~
−
−	~~Current delivery model and its problems~~
−
−	~~We release a major version of Flowcode every few years.~~
−
−	~~This new version needs new features to entice users to upgrade to the new version.~~
−
−	~~Improvements and fixes often need to wait for this new major release - sometimes more than 18 months.~~
−
−	~~A better experience for users would be to have continuous improvement of Flowcode.~~
−
−	~~This would also have the benefits for Matrix of a more relaxed release process and a more even and predictable revenue stream.~~
−
−
−	~~=====How does it work?=====~~
−
−	~~Just like the current licensing system, users will purchase the new version of Flowcode (again, with a discount if coming from v9 or v10).~~
−
−	~~This provides a perpetual licence for that particular version of Flowcode, along with a Software Assurance licence for any upgrades to Flowcode for the following 12 months.~~
−
−	After 12 months (and every subsequent year), users will be asked to renew their licence by paying an ongoing software assurance fee (35%). This provides access to free upgrades for the following 12 months.
−
−	If a user drops off this Software Assurance scheme, they will still be allowed to use Flowcode in perpetuity. However, they will no longer receive updates to the core package and will also receive limited updates to components, etc.
−
−	~~If they want to rejoin the Software Assurance scheme, they will need to repurchase a licence for Flowcode.~~
−
−	~~Any chip-pack purchased has a perpetual licence and the devices available to you now will continue to be available even without paying the annual Software Assurance payment.~~
−
−
−	~~=====What are the benefits?====~~=
−
−	~~For a loyal user who consistently purchases new versions, the overall cost difference is not too different.~~
−
−	~~Bug fixes and quality improvements should be released quicker (rather than waiting for major new version).~~
−
−	~~For the user who does not upgrade there is no real change~~: ~~they get to keep the software as it was when the purchase was made with the updates for the 12 months after purchase date.~~
−
−	~~Overall, the development of Flowcode can be better geared towards improving existing aspects of Flowcode rather than developing major new features.~~

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
-Here are some more details:
+=====More details=====
 Current delivery model and its problems
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
-Software Assurance - how does it work?
+=====How does it work?=====
 Just like the current licensing system, users will purchase the new version of Flowcode (again, with a discount if coming from v9 or v10).
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
-What are the benefits?
+=====What are the benefits?=====
 For a loyal user who consistently purchases new versions, the overall cost difference is not too different.