Most software includes some form of an annual support option to provide you with periodic updates and access to technical support when the need arises. Subscribe to annual support is not much of a decision for many of us - the software was purchased to fill a void (e.g. business analytics, emergency notification, etc.), and it just needs to work.

We subscribe to annual support so help is there when we need it.

Have you looked closely at your support coverage and terms though? There are always limitations, and the biggest ones may not be obvious until you encounter them. Many will leave you wondering what your support actually covers. We've all been there. A few examples of services and items I've seen other manufacturers charge additional fees for:

• Software installation & re-installation (or moving the software to a new PC)
• Phone equipment changes (e.g. changing or upgrading your phone equipment)
• Software training
• Physical copies of software & updates

Do these not seem like opportunities to up-sell you on services you believed were included with your support in the first place? Since you're under annual support, shouldn't you at least have access to the necessary support so you can continue to use your existing software?

We think so. It's a simple, yet illusive concept, and is one we strongly believe in.