CAM software upgrade policy

-Topic change to reflect more accurate discussion.

> Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 19:37:36 -0700
> From: Steve Smith <sos@...>
>Subject: Re: Re: BobCAD/CAM v.s. Dolphin CAD/CAM

>I'm also curious about Vector upgrade policy. I was pretty surprised to buy
>software last fall and have to pay for an upgrade just a few months later.
>Most software packages allow a period of gratis upgrades. Does Vector require
>payment for every update?

Steve, when you bought your Vector license in June of last year, we sold you version 9.0.

In early October, we announced that we would be shipping a new version on November 1st.
Which we did. The period between when we announced the new version and the ship
date is the grace period. It's public and that's what we do. We have always said that
we would extend the grace period if we missed the promised ship date, but so far we
have always shipped upgrades within the same week as promised. ( our employees
hate it because they find out what "mean" is all about if they try to come up with an
excuse that would prevent us from keeping an upgrade shipment promise)

This has been our policy since day one when IMService became a Vector distributor.

The pricing is determined by a number of factors:

1) New features and capabilities "value" sets a base price
2) Time period since customer has purchased an upgrade.
3) Time within the upgrade cycle, ie before new version release or after.

We have been the recipient of many software company promises for new features and vapor
ware in the past. We are very sensitive to this issue and refuse to sell any future versions
until the programs are actually delivered. Then we decide whether or not to sell the program.

Best Regards, Fred Smith- IMService
Listserve Special discounts and offers are at:
http://www.vectorcam.com/cced2.html

imserv@... Voice:248-486-3600 or 800-386-1670 Fax: 248-486-3698