Finance Software Store
Buy Personal Finance Software at the lowest price in the USA
Finance Software News
Microsoft Money Plus
Microsoft Money Plus - No More Boxed Software, No More Annual Releases
August 2008
Microsoft is catching on to the consumer trend in buying software online and has just announced it will stop producing boxed versions of its Money Plus personal finance software, focusing only on digital distribution. Packaged products will remain in retail stores until supplies run out. According to Microsoft, half of their Money Plus sales are now from download - a reported three-fold increase compared to last year.
Market leader Intuit already produce Quicken Online, a completely online version of their popular personal finance application and QuickBooks Online, their internet-based small business accounting software. Their income tax preparation program TurboTax sells more online versions than boxed.
Microsoft has also just announced that there will not be a 2009 version of Money Plus released this year. There have apparently not been any major developments to the software this year and Microsoft feels it is acting according to customer feedback in not releasing a new product with only slight enhancements. They have stated that they are moving away from an annual release cycle. We may yet see other software companies follow suit and only release new versions when there are significant program changes to benefit the consumer, rather than providing annual product versions of doubtful additional value.
Microsoft will continue to provide close integration of their Money Plus program with their MSN Money site providing customers with online stock information, financial tools and advice from financial experts.
