Hi everyone,
I'm pleased to hear that the move we've taken around SDN Subscriptions is resulting in some lively discussion and response. We firmly believe that this change is a win for our development community. This is a move we've been looking to make for quite some time, and I'm pleased that we're now able to roll out what many of you have been requesting. Bottom line - it is important to continue to seek ways to make it easier for all of you to get your hands on the tools you need to innovate. We hope you agree this is a step in the right direction.
Here the facts:
| Subscriptions Package | New Price | Old Price |
| NetWeaver Development License | Germany: €1,071
US: $1,170 +tax | Germany: €2,082.50
US: $2,300 + tax |
| NetWeaver Composition License | Germany: €476
US: $520 + tax | Germany: €1,011.50
US: $1,100 + tax |
To purchase a license, please go to: http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/subscriptions/software
Here the reasons:
You may be curious as to the reasons behind this reduction. Well, we launched the subscriptions program over a year ago, in September 2007. Since the launch, many of you have been vocal about the subscriptions program, particularly how it should evolve over time, the geographical expansion needed, and to some extent the pricing. We've heard some subscribers say that they've received a great deal of value for the money; however, we've also received feedback from others that the financial burden for individual subscribers made the offerings out of reach for their budgets. Our goal here is to further expand the community of developers that have access to the tools they need to innovate. We've listened to your feedback and are pleased to announce that we're taking steps to make the full NetWeaver platform much more accessible and affordable to our development community. The NetWeaver Development Subscription is still the same package with the same benefits and components as before. You will still receive the comprehensive NetWeaver platform, tools, resources, and knowledge (Virtual TechEd http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/virtualteched) along with bundled support and many great features. http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/subscriptions
Here for existing subscribers:
A couple of words to existing subscription customers. To provide compensation for the price difference, we have a special program for current customers who bought their subscriptions on or after September 1, 2008. All customers who either bought a new subscription or who renewed their subscription on or after September, 2008, will receive a 6 months extension. We are sending notifications to all customers who qualify for the extension.
Here about country availability:
Today the subscriptions are still only available in Germany and in the US. Many of you have been asking at recent TechEds when we will offer the subscriptions in other countries, particularly in Canada, Brazil, the rest of Europe and Australia. We are looking at various options and we really want to make the expansion happen as soon as possible, however we can not give you a date at this time.
Here about free downloads:
A final note regarding the free downloads. For those of you who do not need a license for commercial reasons, we will continue to offer several components of SAP NetWeaver as free download trials. We are working on a final and official download policy. Please keep in mind that the free software and tools are available for non productive use only, whereas the SAP NetWeaver Subscription license provides commercialization rights, including the license to sell, demo, and market applications developed with an active subscription. Commercialization is key for developers and ISVs building commercial applications and solutions with SAP NetWeaver. The subscription also offers the ABAPTM programming language and Java development tools and resources, bundled support, including premium content, knowledge bases, and permissions to register ABAP namespaces. For a comparison between the free downloads and the subscriptions, please go to:http://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/subscriptions/development?rid=/webcontent/uuid/d0d0b2a6-360d-2b10-6d8...
