I wish very much that I could say “yes.” However, part of EstiMate 2011′s leap forward is a change in the underlying database structure; not only is the database upgraded now to the new NexusDB3 which is significantly faster than NexusDB2, we’ve added database optimizations that preclude EstiMate 2 working with it properly.

However, and I think this is worth considering, EstiMate 2011 will never lock you out. If you suspend or cancel your plan, then it becomes “read only” – meaning you can still get at everything you ever did in there, you can print any reports / estimates / invoices / purchase orders, on and on. You just can’t create anything new.

Considering that EstiMate 2 and EstiMate 2011 will run side by side, this means you could use EstiMate 2011 as an ‘archive’ and EstiMate 2 as your live quoting software, should you choose to suspend your plan.

I hope this answers your question as thoroughly as possible.

I have, of course, thought of the opening left for my competitors. The ones that are where we are (10+ years in, with established, solid software) didn’t get there too quickly. The costs for Cyrious are very similar, especially when you factor in that you have to purchase the software and pay regular maintenance fees (as I understand it – correct me if I’m wrong here). EstiMate’s new direction includes the latest and greatest all the time, without upgrade fees down the road.

Our product will have to stand on it’s own; and based on the current level of orders, all indications are that we are offering a very strong value proposition.

Thank you for stopping by and posting.

I too would like to echo the concerns that others have raised about the new pricing plan. Perhaps this will help you understand how some of your customers feel. Here is an analogy.

Imagine that after researching the market you decide to buy a new car with the understanding that as accessories (modules) became available for the car you could be able to buy them if you need them. You also understood that from time to time the motor in your car might need to be rebuilt ( new versions ). You would have the option to accessorize and upgrade the car as often as necessary.

Now after completing this deal based on the research and understanding at the time the car dealer contacts you and lets you know that you will not longer be able to buy new accessories for the car you have paid for. Not only that but if you need a motor rebuild (new version) that you will not be able to purchase that either. Instead the car dealer tells you that you MUST either lease a new car or keep driving your old one. They are not longer going to offer accessories for your old car.

The new car may be FANTASTIC, maybe it is like a Prius, the amount it saves you in gas will eventually pay for the car. But you know what, I doubt you personally drive a Prius. Why? Because you made a decision to drive whatever type of car you have based on a number of reason. There are lots of great reasons to drive a Prius, they have the latest technology, good for the environment, great on gas, good reliability and so on. But if it was that simple everyone would drive one, but they don’t. Perhaps some don’t drive that many miles per year (Mom & Pop Shops) and for them the savings is not that much, others just simply can’t lay out the money up front even though they may want to. ( Lots of Shops).

Where does that leave you with your old car. For me it looks like I will need to drive it as is for a while longer (true both of my software and my actual car). If I put $69 per month aside it won’t be that long before I can can go out and buy whatever new car (software) I need.

All of this is unfortunate because I do like EstiMate. I formerly used Cyrious POS and I do like EstiMate better. Actually I can see the benefits to a subscription plan as well. I understand that it would be nice to have the newest options etc. all the time. However I also really thought the old method was very good as well. By selling only the modules that a shop needs they are not subsidizing R&D for what they do not need.

For instance we do NOT DO:

CNC Routing
Embroidery
Flatbed Digital Printing
Sandblasted Signs
Dimensional Items
Screen Printed Garments
Thermal Printing
Window Graphics

Pretty much all we do is vehicle graphics, wraps, RTA graphics and design work. So in our case we bought a Jeep Wrangler (Estimate 2.0) that does exactly what we need. We bought it with the understanding that as our business changed and grew we could add accessories to make it work better.

Now we are being told the parts department is closing and if we want to upgrade we need to lease a new Hummer. Don’t get me wrong, the Hummer is really cool, but I don’t want to pay for all the options it has I won’t use.

As you know the economy is tight. Despite using EstiMate for the past several years things are still very very tight. At my home I am using an antenna to watch Television so that I don’t have to spend so much on Cable. I made that decision a couple of years ago, and you know what? It’s not so bad. I get by without cable.

Aren’t you worried that your clients may decide that $69 per month for a two man shop is a drag on the overhead? Are you not concerned that you are leaving a HUGE opening out there for your competitors. All they need to do is offer a discount to switch from EstiMate to their software. Even if they offer a large credit to former EstiMate users to switch they are very likely to make it back in the long run, both in upgrades and increased market share.

If there was a significantly lower monthly fee for existing users and/or a way to only pay monthly for the modules you need I would probably reconsider but as it is, as much as I hate to, I am going to have to go along with those above who have decided to pass.

Just wanted to drop you a line. I downloaded a trial version of 2011 today and I’ve been really impressed with it just on first glance.

Unfortunately I’ve been on site installing today but since coming back to do some quotes, I’m rapt with some of the new things the programme does. I can’t wait to really get my teeth into it.

The customer and supplier dashboards are going to make my life so much easier.

Good work.

Lee

I apologize for not approving your comment and replying sooner. When it first came in I started formulating a reply in my head and then got sucked into the pre-release whirlwind we have going on around here. When Tim Meyers (below) posted I saw your comment and again, am very sorry for only replying now.

Much of my answer to you is covered in my answer to Tim. I understand your concerns and as far as ‘grandfathering in,’ we are offering a 30% pre-release discount if you want to come aboard. I have also posted the current EstiMate 2011 Beta as our Free Trial so you can take it for a spin first if you want to … just click “Download” in the title bar of the website. It plays nicely with 2.0 so your data will be fine.

Thank you for posting. I appreciate your comments.

The negative feedback about our new pricing plans definitely causes concern for me, primarily because it focuses on the price of EstiMate rather than the value it brings a sign shop: namely, EstiMate makes you money every time you use it.

The pricing plans are actually bringing more small Mom & Pop, bread and butter sign shops into the fold because they are affordable. My focus has not changed. For 39 bucks a month, every sign shop can use EstiMate and immediately see a big return on their bottom line. Many can now also use it side by side with other systems because it is an excellent, lightning fast “sanity check” for pricing.

Plus, an EstiMate pricing plan is effectively free. Like I said before, EstiMate makes you money every time you use it. In addition, the Hourly Rate Wizard now requires you to include your plan – so you recoup the cost just like you recoup your other expenses by using EstiMate.

I definitely understand that this is a hard transition for existing customers who did not start using EstiMate this way. That’s why we are currently offering such steep pre-release discounts.

I also understand that some of you will not choose to come along with us into 2011. However, this decision has to be seen in a larger context: in order to continue being the hard core advocate for sign shops that we have always been, and in order to continue to be our customers’ ally, we needed to change our business model to one that works for everyone, including ourselves.

The result? We will be here for you when you need us, and will be able to continue to innovate on behalf of sign shops worldwide for years to come, providing software that makes you money and gives you back time.

I hope you’re aware that you do not have to stop using EstiMate 2.0. It will continue to make you money every day. And we will continue to provide support for it for a good long while.

If you have any questions about how I feel about corporate greed, well, I’m a dedicated Democrat and I’m mad as hell right there with you about what we’ve seen go down lately. There is a big difference, however, between “corporate greed” and good, practical business sense, which is what I am using for the lasting, on-going benefit of all EstiMate users.

I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and will be sorry to see you go if that’s how it ends up. I think you did a great job articulating many people’s concerns, and though I am responding primarily to your comment, this is also addressed to the entire EstiMate family and I intend for it to be my final comment on the pricing plans.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and share your views. Your being a part of EstiMate in all ways is valuable and appreciated.