The concept of free software on the web, either to try or use, is pretty commonplace right now. Distribution costs are zero and blogs and SEO offer really inexpensive opportunities for promotion. The big question of course is “can it be any good if it’s free”, and the other is how long will it be there, if nobody’s paying for it?
It seems the best businesses find a way of introducing a free software service and then persuading users to upgrade to pay-for versions. This is obviously a brave approach - fall out rates are huge - but a number of companies have managed to make it work. This is counter intuitive and very Web 2.0. The success of the software depends entirely on it’s quality and the value it helps the user create. Unlike the enterprise system vendors, the Web 2.0 guys have to put huge effort into user experience and minimizing complexity.
With Front Office Box we’re trying to build on the examples of others and build a user base with elegant, simple software which works for the individual customer, and also for their supply chains.
We could use some help from early adopters, both for defining the ways we support those supply chains and helping us continue improving Front Office Box. To encourage people to work with us we’re offering a small number of Ambassador class accounts. With these each customer will get a multi user account, for free for life. They’ll also be able to invite up to five of the businesses they work with to enjoy the same benefits.
Ambassador memberships are only available thru invitation. Anybody wanting to help us build our community thru Ambassador membership can email us at info@frontofficebox. We’ll get right back to them.
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