In a bold move aimed at reshaping the software industry’s landscape, 37signals, the renowned software development company, has announced the launch of “Once,” a line of software products designed to give users ownership and control over their software once more.
In recent years, the software industry has witnessed a significant shift from traditional one-time purchases to Software as a Service (SaaS) subscriptions. This shift has left users in a perpetual landlord-tenant agreement, with monthly fees and the constant threat of eviction if payments are missed. 37signals aims to change this paradigm with the introduction of “Once.”
“Once” promises to bring back the days when users bought software once, installed it, and had complete ownership of their digital tools. With “Once,” customers pay a single, fixed price and own the software forever. This move is a response to growing concerns about the increasing cost of software subscriptions and the lack of control users have over their software in the SaaS era.
Jason Fried, CEO of 37signals, stated, “We believe it’s time to return to the principles of ownership, control, and privacy in software. With ‘Once,’ we’re bringing back the simplicity of software ownership, where you pay for it once, and it’s yours to keep.”
The key features of “Once” include:
- Pay One Time, Own Forever: Users purchase the software with a one-time payment and have lifetime access without worrying about monthly subscriptions.
- Open Code Access: 37signals offers transparency by allowing users to view the source code of their software, ensuring trust and security.
- Self-Hosting: Users have the freedom to host the software themselves, giving them full control over their data and infrastructure.
- Simplicity and Efficiency: “Once” products are designed to be simple and straightforward, avoiding the bloat commonly associated with enterprise software.
This initiative marks a significant departure from the conventional SaaS model, where users pay recurring fees for access to cloud-hosted software. “Once” is set to revolutionize the industry by giving users back the power and control they once had.
While “Once” is slated for its first product launch in late 2023, 37signals plans to expand its product lineup throughout 2024. This move demonstrates the company’s commitment to ushering in a new era in software ownership.
Founded nearly two decades ago, 37signals was one of the early pioneers of the SaaS revolution. However, as the landscape evolved, the company is now poised to lead the way out of the post-SaaS era, focusing on returning control and ownership to software users.
