Forum Discussion
MicrosoftUpdate on Focused Inbox rollout for Outlook 2016 for Windows users
MicrosoftJaymz - Yep, that is right. Just need another update to your client, which should be rolling out as we speak. Just note that, as explained above, you also need Modern Auth.
Can you shed any light on why the perpetual version of office 2016 will not be getting Focused Inbox?
It's a very frustrating position for Microsoft to take and not at least explain why.
I'm a consultant with a variety of clients and some have a strong BYOD aspect. I'm having trouble defending the idea to those BYOD clients that 'despite the fact that all their users have outlook 2016, the ones with perpetual licenses will not get Focused Inbox'. Especially since it's working so well on Outlook for iOS and Android.
- AllenFilush
Hey Geoffrey,
Sorry for any issues we are causing you. I'm happy to explain it, and glad you find it to be working well on other platforms.
Customers have two options when they choose to buy Office. They can buy:
- Office 2016 perpetual - this is the traditional, one-time upfront payment for a point in time version of Office. You can use the product forever. It never gets new feature updates. This is the same as Office 2007, 2010, 2013, etc. You buy that version. If you want new features, you buy the next version.
- Office 365 subscription - you pay a monthly subscription and pay for the right to get an always up to date version of Office. You get new features every month.
Every customers has that choice when they choose to buy office. Do I want to pay for the version that updates? Or do I want to buy the version that doesn't?
A question for you - can you share more about why the users in the company are on different types of Office? Am I correct in I'm assuming that, despite our marketing/websites, your response is that they didn't read to understand the difference between the two?
Thats wrong.
If I go to buy Outlook today, there is no difference in the marketing of perpetual or 365. No where on perpetual does it say what features it is missing, or that it is not the same as 365. It is sold as Outlook 2016 period. It is sold as the same product.
I dont expect perpetual to be updated to 2019 or whatever the next version is, but I do expect it to be exactly the same as 365, now and forever.
The difference between 365 and perpetual is only promoted as a different licencing regime, not a different product.
Thanks Allan,
That is actually a reasonable reply. Though I have to admit that I don't recall ever seeing clear copy anywhere that made it quite as clear as that. On the otherhand, I've been at this for 32 years and I don't read marketing things as closely as I once did. I was not aware of difference between the two. Can you point me to that language online so I can share it with my client?
The situation remains problematic but at least it's clear. I would suggest updating that table though to make it clear that "like all feature updates, the perpetual license version of the software will not be getting Focused Inbox". The way it read to me (in my ignorance) was that it was not being rolled out to Perpetual for some arbitrary reason.
To answer your question "can you share more about why the users in the company are on different types of Office?": The issue for this specific client is that they have a large number of remote workers and the comany has minimal centralized IT. These workers typically bring their own computer equipment (BYOD or Bring Your Own Device). Because many of these workers already own the perpetual license, it's making people mad that the only way they can take advantage of the Focused inbox is to walk away from the perpetual license they may have only recently purchased (such as Office 2016) and start paying for that license all over again as a subscription.
Bottom line, This may be the first time in the last 10+ years where a feature has come out between major releases that I or any of my clients has cared enough about to pursue. It's frustrating that it will not be made available but it is what it is.
I don't think there is a way for MS to thread this needle unless it was to modify the position to say that feature updates are not guaranteed outside of the current major version. That would be a line that I could reasonably accept.
Cheers,
- AllenFilushThanks for the feedback and clarification Geoffrey.
An example of where this distinction is discussed, from Office.com. This page outlines the 3 options an everyday user would buy. These are what are available at BestBuy or other retailers, or from PC manufacturers like Dell or HP. It is hard to tell if in your BYOD scenario what versions they are buying. But my guess is if they are buying themselves this is what they are buying.
https://products.office.com/en-us/compare-all-microsoft-office-products?tab=1
Note in the list of details, it says that the Office 365 plans include "Applications are always up to date".
As you say, customers have historically just got access to features once they buy the next version. That will also be true in this instance. Office 365 changed that 5 years ago. Now, customers get features immediately instead of having to wait.
The analogy of buying a car comes to mind. If you buy a car, you get that car. If Ford releases a new self-driving car feature, you don't get that in the car you bought. You have to buy a new car. But instead of buying, you can rent cars and always drive the latest. The only difference here is Office 365 is affordable, where renting a car every week would not be!
