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RE: the REAL V5 prices

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    #16
    RE: the REAL V5 prices

    I think it's pretty official, but, Alpha is taking a risk with too high prices for new users. As far as cost goes w. regard to an existing application, I guess it depends what you time is worth. Personally, I have invested thousands of hours building my application - and it is far from complete. I would have to have a verycompelling reason to start with a new product.

    PG

    P.S. I'll sell you my app for $100,000, because that's probably what it cost me.
    Peter
    AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

    [email protected]
    https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


    Comment


      #17
      RE: the REAL V5 prices

      I agree. It does seem like Alpha is targeting a new group of users. Intentionally or not. I was ready to buy and begin development at the A5 V4.5 prices but am rethinking the decision and will definitely be looking at my options now. Alpha is probably the better product, but at what cost? I also have to look at where the cost will go from here. Future upgrades, etc. I think Alpha is missing the boat for obtaining NEW USERS.

      Comment


        #18
        RE: the REAL V5 prices

        The funny thing is while V5 may speed things up for the power user, it offers so much more to those wanting to build an in-house application or do something for a club or organization pro bono. Yet I hear that its ok to drive off the very people that the new version best applies to?!?

        I have no problem with the upgrade price, nor do I have problems with unlimited run times. In retrospect I guess I really can�t even quarrel with the cost for a single user business that is getting a final custom application. Overall I believe that they are fair. What I think is wrong, unfair, or just a bad business decision is drive out the little guy. In the past the price was not as much of an issue, since unlimited runtimes were a bargain. Now entry level pricing for 1 application away from the development computer is at least $349 for a new single user. This is too much given that computer is not doing any development on it. I know there are ways � but that does not build revenue for Alpha and some of us are not inclined to use these workarounds. I�m not sure if this is allowed, but maybe some of you could recoup some of your outlay by subcontracting to turn out the runtime for these small apps for a fee!

        I would still like to see a limited runtime for the little guy. I�d be willing to pay around $200 for the ability to distribute and update say 3-5 applications and 1-3 seats. Or maybe generate say 10-15 runtimes for $100, if it would be easier to restrict copies rather then applications. One change in a form 1 runtime used. In the long run this is a much higher cost per distribution then people with unlimited runtimes but I�d be willing to pay the freight for the ability to do so. I think a lot of other people would also come on board. I still believe that there are any numbers of users that don�t need the complexity of unlimited runtime at the going rate. I think a pricing plan for the small user now makes sense and would address the objections of many who find the $800 - $900 hard to swallow as the entry level for runtime distribution.

        I know that this is not the way of the past. I am not going away as of yet. I just believe that Alpha can ill afford to disenfranchise any of its followers. (It is a cult isn�t it?) I just think that there has to be something on the lower end for the little guy, now that prices are going up. Maybe depending on pricing, the coming ability to access and use the web will fill that void. Anyone want to start a thread on the price of this feature? I�ve been around since Alpha 3 and I�m not going anywhere. I�ve played with the others but Alpha has always did a reasonal job of keeping or setting the pace and did things similar enough that the learning curve was not that great, when changes came. Although I read the board daily, I�m normally silent but this issue has hit a nerve.

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          #19
          RE: the REAL V5 prices

          For a potential new user (old Alpha 4 user from years ago) I find the jump in single user pricing from $145 to the new $349 astronomical. I suspect it would keep many typical new users from purchasing and getting into the Alpha fold. I do have an interest in immediately developing an application to retail sales that will require me to have developer edition (?) and Runtime. I am concerned about those prices as I've seen posted but less so, than just the initial cost to purchase and try out the program for more than 30-days. I almost have to look at other options, if the pricing stays as expected. I can't get my venture off the ground with the new pricing model.

          Comment


            #20
            RE: the REAL V5 prices

            If you have an Alpha 4 license but not Alpha 5 Version 4.5 would be $299, at least as I understand it. Not cheap, but given the nature of the program this is a bargain. The DOS databases are rapidly going away. If you are familiarly with Alpha 4, your half way home, working in a windows environment is a little strange at first, but once mastered, you won�t want to go back. Knowing what I do about the new version, I believe that the pricing is realistic. It is the big jump in cost to get something that I developed off my machine, which has me concerned, given I only expect to do it a few times, not make a living doing it.

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              #21
              RE: the REAL V5 prices

              I think Access goes for $350 new. It's none of my business and this is not a criticism, but what kind of venture is it that can't afford nominal fees for a product that will be its mainstay? I don't get it. I understand that no one wants to pay anymore than they have to, that's human nature. And I understand that Alpha would be wise to remain financially competitive with its competition. But if you are investing in business, it cost some bucks - hence the existance of Venture Capitalists on large business endeavors. If you are developing an app that will sell for thousands of dollars to several customers, or, if you are developing several apps that will sell for thousands of dollars to one customer each, you might expect that you have to pay some $ for the software to run it. This is a business expense. If you are in business that is to be expected. On the other hand, if you can buy a competing software just as good as Alpha for half the price, I guess I can't blame you. But, no one has told me the name of that wonderful cheap competing software. That's why most of us are here. But, if you find it, let me know. I would be curious to say the least.
              Peter
              AlphaBase Solutions, LLC

              [email protected]
              https://www.alphabasesolutions.com


              Comment


                #22
                RE: the REAL V5 prices

                I just did a search on MSN for relational databases. Guess what. Alpha was the first return on the search. You have to pay good money to be first.

                The number one complaint used to be marketing. Richard is busy MARKETING. This costs money

                With more marketing we should have more clients to spread out the costs of V5.

                I have read all the previous comments and I personnaly do not consider the prices to be out of line with what we can do with the product especially with the marketing that will be taking place

                Bob Sullivan

                Comment


                  #23
                  RE: the REAL V5 prices

                  Hi Peter, I don't take any offense by constructive criticism. But, you are talking to just a poor boy trying to find a way of getting a new venture off the ground. The word "venture" is the critical point in my case, because I am talking about developing something on a much smaller scale that is available in my industry and developed/funded by some Fortune 500 (or even 100) companies. I hope to focus to the very small industry players (like myself) that can't afford the $1,000 and up packages on the market. Since, what I am considering is speculative, I just can't afford to lay much out on the table, especially given that the development software is not the only expense in getting my product to market by any means. Comparatively, I can't really find a packaged product like Alpha that can be purchased for less money. The original $145 for A5 Ver 4.5 had a great price-to-productivity ratio, but at $349 its not the value it was. I realize my situation is unique so I may not represen the norm, but you never know how many folks are out there looking for a way to make something work on a budget these days. I see Alpha like many regular business people do and not from a programming or consultants perspective. Alpha is apparently a great database program but it also has other features that make it adaptable to my uses. The Runtime feature is of great importance, but not the only way to provide a Runtime program to my prospective client base, which I suspect will be paying something in the range of $295 to $395 per stand alone copy of my application. I am looking for an option that can get me to market for less than $500 in software, so that I can expect a break-even point (including other initial start-up operating/marketing costs) of (10) sales or less. Call me cheap, but for a married guy, with a job and children a jump from $145 to $349 is HIGH. I can appreciate you perspective and comments, though.

                  Comment


                    #24
                    RE: the REAL V5 prices

                    Peter & Richard bring up some good points.

                    Consider the following:

                    Filemaker = $299, upgrade $149
                    Access = $339, upgrade $109
                    Alpha Five V5 = $349, upgrade $299

                    For us, because we know it's worth it, that's one thing. New business, such as those new to or getting into database work and those that are already into database work but using other DB products, have to be considered.

                    Once they try it, they'll be hooked...like I was with A4V6, and am with A5V5. How does one get "those others" to buy the new kid on the block (V5)when it's the least known and most expensive???

                    hmm

                    Mike
                    Thank you,
                    Mike Konoff

                    Comment


                      #25
                      RE: the REAL V5 prices

                      Well I don't know what this will mean to our British friends but right now my Canadian buck is worth $.64 so off the top i will be paying about 40 percent more for my upgrade and trust me I can't get 40 percent more from my customers for the apps that I create.


                      Rick T

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                        #26
                        RE: the REAL V5 prices

                        Mike,
                        I agree 100%

                        Comment


                          #27
                          RE: the REAL V5 prices

                          What is this Developer Kit? Will I be expected to buy the single user for development, a runtime and a developer kit? I came as a new user to Alpha because of 2 things as a small self-employed businessman:
                          1 - Ease of use, as I am not a programmer and cannot afford to hire one.
                          2 - Price.

                          That's it. If v5 becomes more expensive than hiring someone why should I bother doing it myself. Maybe the small business which needs to make their own database is not really the target customer that Alpha is aiming for. If not that's a shame for me, and I will certainly see what improvements Filemaker has done since I last looked before committing to v5, or just stay with 4.5.

                          Well , we'll all see on Friday (if it ships!)

                          Shaun... one of the recent newbies (don't scare us off please)

                          Comment


                            #28
                            RE: the REAL V5 prices

                            Rick,

                            Writing from Montreal I understand your concern but you will not be needing to collect 40% more from your customers because the cost of Alpha (development and/or runtime) is not the major cost of an installation for a client. The major cost is your development time which we hope will be reduced by version 5.

                            Bill
                            Bill Hanigsberg

                            Comment


                              #29
                              RE: the REAL V5 prices

                              Loose language. There is no developer kit. People are merely referring to the full version of A5 which is what you need (and all you need) to develop applications.

                              Bill
                              Bill Hanigsberg

                              Comment


                                #30
                                RE: the REAL V5 prices

                                ACCESS 2002 98/WME/NT/W2K .

                                Our Price: $288.95

                                List Price: $339.00
                                You Save: $50.05

                                www.buy.com

                                This is not an upgrade.

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