MadCap Software Forums

If I don't want to buy a maintenance plan just now, when my old plan needs renewing - (for example, if I have a six month project which is not a Flare project I don't need to buy the plan - it's just a waste of money. Maybe my next project will again be in Flare and I will decide to renew my maintenance plan.)
But I may want to buy a year plan in the future.
How do I do this?
I heard that if my maintenance plan lapses, I cannot renew it later; the meaning being that Madcap only give service to new customers or to customers who continually want service from the date of purchase. I hope this is not true ......(if I am a company and I have a new employee after I have Flare a couple of years, I may want to buy a maintenance plan to help the new employee... then I'm stuck....)
Thanks, any feedback appreciated.
Joanna

This is a peer-to-peer forum and for that reason you better talk to MadCap sales directly. Here is the contact info in case you don't have it:
Email: Sales@madcapsoftware.com
Phone: 858.320.0387 opt. 1

It basically comes down to accounting laws/requirements in the software industry specifically. According to revenue recognition and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)- which is governed by our external auditors and internal audit committee, we are not allowed to sell a maintenance plan that is not accompanied with the purchase of a license at the same time (or within 30 days of license purchase). With that said, you can certainly renew a maintenance plan prior to expiration and of course buy maintenance with a software purchase (new or upgrade license), but you cannot just purchase maintenance on its own at any time.

However, as it is currently priced, it is always less to renew a maintenance plan, than to let it lapse and have to upgrade and buy the maintenance again.

Another option is our new subscription licensing. We offer 6 and 12 month Flare subscription licensing. During the period of subscription you get product updates and support all included. At the end of the subscription period, the license expires. It is geared towards shorter term projects and can be purchased any time.

Please contact Sales if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Another advantage of the maintenance plan is that you get the new version of the software when it comes out and you are guarentTed one upgrade at least per year. So it will save you money to keep your plan active. Then later having to purchase a new version and maintenance plan