It's official. As of May 1st, Adobe will no longer sell boxed versions of its Creative Suite of applications through their website or through any of their various resellers. Of course, this isn't the first time that we've seen a move of this sort from a major software company. Apple made the switch to an entirely digital fulfillment method for its software (and third party software) with the App Store well over a year ago, and tons of smaller companies have solely relied on digital delivery for ages.
Here is the official word from their products FAQ:
As Adobe continues to focus on delivering world-class innovation through Creative Cloud and digital fulfillment, we will be phasing out shrink-wrapped, boxed versions of Creative Suite. Electronic downloads for Creative Suite products will continue to be available – as they are today – from both Adobe.com, as well as reseller and retail partners.
Adobe has been on this path towards digital fulfillment for their software packages for some time, either through digital downloads or subscriptions to Creative Cloud. Even though many software solutions are still delivered with physical copies, it's entirely possible that Adobe's move signifies a larger shift toward digital and subscription options from software providers. With optical drives slowly disappearing as a necessity, and laptops getting smaller, it's not a stretch to think that within a few years, software as a physical commodity will be a thing of the past.
What do you guys think? Does Adobe's move affect you or how you run your businesses? Are digital fulfillment and subscription-based services like the Creative Cloud going to be the software delivery systems of the future? Let us know in the comments.
Link: Adobe Products FAQ
[via TechHive]
