Apple Offers Three-Year Upgrade Plan for Server
davidstrauss writes "News.com is reporting that 'Apple Computer is giving buyers of its Mac OS X Server the option of signing on for three years of unlimited access to software upgrades for the same price it charges for a single, onetime upgrade.' This sounds almost like a push in the direction of Microsoft's Licensing 6."
Licensing 6 requires an annual fee, which is a percentage of the original purchase price. That's on top of the price for the original software.
Original 10-User Win2k Server: 1199
Three-year licensing agreement: (1199 * 29%) * 3 years = 1043.13
This is different: instead of one upgrade, you get all upgrades for the next three years at no additional cost.
Original 10-User OS X Server: 499
Three-year Upgrade plan: 499
-Ster
3 year maintenance is indeed available on Mac OS X, BUT you need to purchase a minimum of 10 seats. It's right in the software section of the Apple Store. Some institutions, like the University of Wisconsin, participate and pass the program on directly to customers. For example, UW customers can purchase a 3-year subscription, which entitles the purchaser to the latest version of Mac OS X for the term, for $95: http://www.wisc.edu/wisc/products/apple_mac_osX_de pt.html