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Creative Cloud – Some Peace of Mind Offered…
As many of you have seen, I’ve railed against the “cloud” as being the only option. I’m not against it as a whole, mind you, but am concerned with it as the only option. Great points have been argued, for which some have been answered. Adobe has, to its credit, eased most of my concerns according to its extensive facts on their website and via Todd, Denise, Steve, and others. (Walter B, a big shout out to you as well).
First and foremost: https://www.adobe.com/products/creativecloud/faq.html
A breakdown of a few of my biggest concerns:
#1: Not owning the software.
While this is “true”, it would appear that we are able to save our future projects backwards to CS6. Meaning, IF I/we decided to shut down ops or whatever crazy scenario, we could simply save our projects as a CS6 version for future useage. Also, if we don’t like paying each month, the same could apply. While not 100% ideal, it does offer some peace of mind.#2: Multiple Computers.
I/we personally own 2 licenses which allow us to run 2 computers simultaneous. According to the Faq, we will only need 1 license to run 2 computers, at the same time. So where I was paying for 2, I only need 1. And from some of the feedback from current users, we’re able to transfer active licenses to other computers if needed with ease. This also translates to having 1 Mac and 1 PC on 1 license vs what they previously offered, separate PC and Mac licenses.#3: Botched Upgrades
Hey, like it or not, companies have botched their “upgrades”. From Windows Millenium to the AVCHD issue in CS6, we all know upgrades can be treacherous. From what I understand, when the upgrades are announced, we have the option of installing or waiting.#4: Adobe Bank
One of my personal quirks is I prefer to pay upfront and not be billed monthly. It’s cleaner and easier on my (lack of) accounting skillz. Amazon (and soon probably our other venders we’ve developed relationships over the years, Toolfarm, Videoguys, etc) offer pre-paid yearly purchases.There is talk, though I’ve not confirmed or have positive proof, that in the future there will be various levels/tiers offered rather than access to all the programs. I do hope this to be the case, as I’d personally rather only pay for what I need and use. We have that with Production Premium, or Web…, and it’s great as we aren’t paying full price for the programs we just don’t need.
In the end, it does feel like we’re the ones who are being asked to take the risk. Currently, If Adobe botches and upgrade, we simply don’t purchase. This of course forces them to make something that we will want, thereby ensuring their ROI. While they may offer their solution that if we don’t like it, we can simply stop paying and wait til they do have something we want. I’d argue this as not really possible–or, rather a large headache. We all know that we operate machines, deadlines and get caught up in our day to day work, and simply will not have time to save all our files to pre-cloud compatible formats. Adobe is counting on this. So the deck is stacked in their favor.
This also translates to future pricing. They could start to reason that $50/month is less than a tank of gas, and they could easily justify doubling or tripling that. As we are seeing now, a trend is emerging of “revenue down, profits are up”. With the core of our business models build around Adobe products, it will be hard to break from them. So we are at their mercy, in a sense. However, as what generally happens in life, when one company tries to mess with its vision, other companies step in and fill the void. (We’ve seen that with Walmart and Target in the last few years, as simply an example)In the end, I do see change happening whether I want it or not. I’m just really hoping that Adobe will continue its trend toward making great products at reasonable cost points, and allowing me–us to continue doing what we absolutely love doing.
But that’s just my opinion…
Tim
Apple XRAID, XServe, 2008 2×3 GHz Quad-Core MacPro, Macbook Pro, XSAN, FCP Studio (7), AVID Media Composer, Adobe Production Premium, Maxon Cinema 4d, AJA Kona 3, Flanders Scientific Monitors, Panasonic HPX250’s, Kessler Crane, Glidecam…..
Beer fridge fully loaded. -
36 Replies
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[Tim Vaughan] “There is talk, though I’ve not confirmed or have positive proof, that in the future there will be various levels/tiers offered rather than access to all the programs. I do hope this to be the case, as I’d personally rather only pay for what I need and use. We have that with Production Premium, or Web…, and it’s great as we aren’t paying full price for the programs we just don’t need. “
This is something that’s not being discussed as much as it probably should be.
If one imagines a Production Premium user who perhaps skips every third upgrade, and tends to buy upgrades from retailers that provide, say, a 10% discount off list price (not uncommon), then Creative Cloud — through which Adobe offers no option equivalent to Production Premium, offers no way to skip upgrades, and sells only direct — is over twice the annual price. That’s a little crazy.
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Digital Workflow/Colorist, Nice Dissolve.You should follow me on Twitter here. Or read our blog.
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I think Adobe has been very clever since the release of FCPX, not only in the development of Premiere but in the way they have marketed themselves. Apple is always criticised for not communicating with their customers whereas Adobe have gone out of their way to do the opposite. They make a big deal of being seen to listen to their customers, implement feedback and generally be open about the direction they’re going in (to a point I think). Hopefully this is not just a marketing strategy and they actually do care because if so I think they’ll iron out the concerns that people have and as Tim says continue their trend towards making great products.
Personally I’d like to see some kind of ‘Right-To-Buy’ option where after a certain number of months you can pay an extra $50-100 or so and download an unrestricted copy of the software (that doesn’t require a membership of any kind). I think this would help with the current ownership issue (after 5 or 10 years subscription I think it’s a bit unfair to own nothing having been such a dedicated user). Perhaps you could even qualify for discounts and/or lower rates once a certain number of months have passed, similar to phone companies offering you discounts when your contract is up for renewal (perhaps if other vendors choose this business model we will see this as a strategy for customer retention).
Generally though I feel a lot more positive with Adobe and am happy to use their products and see where they go. And if it starts to feel like a rip off I will go elsewhere, which hopefully Adobe are smart enough to see from the reaction to FCPX.
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[Tim Vaughan] ” it would appear that we are able to save our future projects backwards to CS6. “
not true, only applies to a few of the print and web apps. Its on adobe’s page.
[Tim Vaughan] “#2: Multiple Computers.
I/we personally own 2 licenses which allow us to run 2 computers simultaneous. According to the Faq, we will only need 1 license to run 2 computers, at the same time. So where I was paying for 2,”you always had two licenses. the only difference is that you can go cross platform with the second one. You cant run CC licenses simultaneously.
[Tim Vaughan] ”
There is talk, though I’ve not confirmed or have positive proof, that in the future there will be various levels/tiers offered rather than access to all the programs. I do hope this to be the case, as I’d personally rather only pay for what I need and use. We have that with Production Premium, or Web…, and it’s great as we aren’t paying full price for the programs we just don’t need.
“Why would they do that? Shantanu Narayen and adobe have a plan: which is to wring the most amount of money out of all of us as is humanly feasible by throwing us face first into a force feed all you can eat software buffet, shove our faces in the plate, while they help themselves to our walllets and bank accounts in perpetuity:
because mate: we are only renters now and Adobe is the Landlord. And Landlords never put up the rent do they?
It stinks. seriously – this really does stink to high heaven from my perspective. And the fact that they’re masking it all in this new creative community in the cloud sharing kuler colour wheels online….
It makes you want to barf frankly.https://vimeo.com/user1590967/videos http://www.ogallchoir.net promo producer/editor.grading/motion graphics
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Good post about “why the Adobe Cloud haters are misinformed”
https://photofocus.com/2013/05/08/10-reasons-the-haters-are-mad-about-adobe-creative-cloud/
Andy Field
FieldVision Productions
N. Bethesda, Maryland 20852 -
better post about how we’re all screwed in the long run here.
https://timelapse.org/2013/05/adobes-creative-monopoly/
I’m serious Andy –
read those last four or five paragraphs and have a think about where this is likely going.https://vimeo.com/user1590967/videos http://www.ogallchoir.net promo producer/editor.grading/motion graphics
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Aindreas, your posts are entertaining, and often informative, but do you like anything?
No one has a gun to your head to buy this – if you don’t like it – find an equally good After Effects or Photoshop made by someone else who will sell it with a perpetual license
They’ve invested millions in creating tools that makes a lot of us money – if you don’t like the tool, make your own, or find someone who’s created the perfect thing that costs next to nothing and will keep upgrading it for a tiny fee.
My production company buys every upgrade – each makes us more productive… and the CC subscription isn’t far off the yearly upgrade price – plus you get everything they make – that’s a bargain for access to all that creative horsepower. Don’t like it? Stick with CS6 – Unlike FCP 7 EOL, Adobe said they’ll sell it for the foreseeable future. They are GIVING AWAY CS 3…for free!
Andy Field
FieldVision Productions
N. Bethesda, Maryland 20852 -
[Andy Field] “Good post about “why the Adobe Cloud haters are misinformed”
“Seriously?
Good in what way?
It’s terribly written, with all the acumen and insight of a junior high term paper.
Then again who wouldn’t marvel at the clever “haters” device for every paragraph lead.There’s a really simple question I ask of the motives and actions of all businesses and politicians: Are they in my best interest or yours?
With politicians it should always be in my best interest but rarely is.
With businesses there should always be the healthy dynamic tension that (theoretically) makes capitalism work- decisions/change serve both our interests.
This decision, to anyone looking at it objectively, serves one party in a very obvious and ongoing fashion.
I dont think it’s very hard to see which one that is.
I’m seeing a lot of “here’s why Adobe isn’t evil” defenses as they make a huge change that will make them lot more money in perpetuity.
Okay, I’m all ears as to how this is benefits the people they serve in some equivalent manner.
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[Andy Field] “No one has a gun to your head to buy this – if you don’t like it – find an equally good After Effects or Photoshop made by someone else who will sell it with a perpetual license”
You are, of course, making a huge leap that such a thing exists.
It doesn’t.
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[Andy Field] ” if you don’t like the tool, make your own, “
how the hell does that work? I make my own AE?
I want to buy the damn license Andy.
https://vimeo.com/user1590967/videos http://www.ogallchoir.net promo producer/editor.grading/motion graphics
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I keep seeing the dooms day scenario of people saying, “Well, certainly now that Adobe has this subscription model they will certain stop innovating” and I don’t understand the logic behind that. Lack of competition (or lack of perceived competition) lets companies get lazy. Did Avid need a subscription model to become complacent w/MC? Did MS need one to get complacent with Windows?
If Abobe’s master plan was to destroy the competition then coast they would have done it years ago, IMO. If they get complacent now is $50/mo really going to keep people from jumping ship? No. Heck, when Avid had people on installment plans because each seat of MC was the price of a luxury car people still found the gumption to switch to FCP so I don’t think Adobe’s subscription will be an insurmountable hurdle. Learning new workflows and new software will be a bigger hurdle for most user, I would imagine.
Sure, if Adobe gets lazy it will take time for the really hardcore AE, PS and Illustrator users to find equal alternatives but filling voids is the nature of the market place right? A disgruntled customer of Company X is a potential customer for Company X’s competition.
Maybe if I used Adobe’s products all day, every day I’d feel differently about the situation. Who knows.
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