While Adobe shifts away from packaged software products, Microsoft believes its not time yet

Adobe’s recent venture away from packaged software products and into an all-cloud offering has brought up a bit of a debate on the internet. Why is this the future? What about drawbacks? But the bigger question is, will Microsoft be next?

No. At least not yet. According to Microsoft, having a subscription-only software service is indeed the future but the time is not now. “However, unlike Adobe, we think people’s shift from packaged software to subscription services will take time. Within a decade, we think everyone will choose to subscribe because the benefits are undeniable. In the meantime, we are committed to offering choice–premier software sold as a package and powerful services sold as a subscription,” Microsoft explained.

Adobe recently revealed its Creative Cloud offering, which is pretty much the company’s software offered via a subscription rather than having a packaged software box. Microsoft does see this move as the future and the benefits to consumers as “huge.” Microsoft points out that more than a quarter of consumers purchasing Office since January of this year have opted for the subscription base model, rather than a packaged software box. Microsoft believes that Adobe is helping “blaze the trail” when it comes to subscription-only software service and don’t be surprised if you see Microsoft headed in that same direction.