Some application developers are starting to implement "feature tiers", where the core/base functionality is free or at very low cost, then there are 1-3 tiers of capability improvements that can be purchased based on the users needs.
I deal with data nonstop at work as an engineer, but without someone to train me I had to learn JMP by myself, which was hard given that I could only really use it at work, so it took me a while to realize how useful it is for almost everything where data is involved -- which the data-minded person sees everywhere. There needs to be an easier path for people in my situation to learn and grow-into JMP.
So, my idea -- offer JMP as a single download with subscription-enabled feature tiers:
- Free tier. Basic data tables, Graph Builder. Available free for non-commercial purposes and small businesses <$100K/yr (similar to Fusion360, BBEdit), intended as a welcome mat for non-users.
- Basic tier. Adds table tools (summary, subset, stack, join, etc.) and simple platforms (distribution, fit y by x). $9/mo (similar to Photoshop, Office365), intended for serious home users and small businesses.
- Full tier. Adds fit-model, screening, clustering, measure & control, DOE, etc. $30/mo, intended for engineers and data scientists in industry.
- Pro tier. Adds current JMP Pro features. $100/mo, intended for niche market with specific needs.
Currently, I can't even get people in the door since the barrier to entry is so high. The JMP trial version doesn't work because the timeframe is too short to learn the tool. But with the arrangement above, I could get probably 30 of my friends/acquaintances to download #1 with a 5-minute demo, and maybe 5-10 of those would upgrade to the #2 tier within a couple months to get the table and data fitting tools.
An additional benefit would be that under this paradigm, there would be no reason for anyone to remain on an old version of JMP (unless they had an old computer?) and therefore support requirements for older versions would mostly disappear.