Why upgrade?
Are you still using DOS or Windows 3.1?
Well we know the answer to that already. It's "No". If you were still using DOS or Windows 3.1 then you couldn't be reading this!
Therefore, unless you have only very recently been introduced to personal computing, this means you must have upgraded your computer's Operating System, in other words, its 'Windows' system, at least once and possibly even up to four or five times.
And did you pay for these upgrades?
You might have thought that you had not because the new and upgraded Operating System was already installed on a new replacement PC that you purchased. That simply means you paid for it through the purchase price of the computer. It did not mean it was free.
The same thing applies with Mistral software. If you wish to upgrade your Mistral software installation then you must expect to pay for that upgrade.
Why?
Because writing software does not happen by accident and it does not grow on trees! Someone has to be, and deserves to be, paid to write the upgrade code.
But I have a 'lifetime' licence, why should I pay?
No reason at all for you to pay providing you don't upgrade your Operating System. Mistral will extend your licence to access its intellectual property (software) indefinitely for use with the Operating System you were using when you first paid for your Mistral licence.
When a car manufacturer brings out a new model of the car you had bought you do not take the old one back and demand that the manufacturer supplies you with a new one for free! The same thing applies to computer programs and yes, just like cars, software also 'wears out'!
Printer manufacturers let me download free 'Patches' whenever their software (printer drivers) need upgrading! So why don't you?
Well before we answer first of all let us just say that it is good that you now realise that printer software effectively 'wears out' when an
Operating System is upgraded so now perhaps you will find it a little more acceptable to learn that every other piece of software, including Mistral's, does too!
Anyway, it isn't all bad news. Mistral values your custom. We regret though that our software is generally far too 'deep' to be upgraded through the simple
application of 'patches'. We must charge for upgrades but as a valued customer you will receive an upgrade discount. Mistral also offers economical
'Corporate Licensee' schemes, available now to everyone, to help mitigate these unavoidable costs. We also reserve the right though
to adjust discounts depending upon the attitude of the customer!
The reason printer manufacturers give away free 'patches' for a piece of software that is anyway perhaps less than one ten thousandth as complicated or expensive
to produce as Mistral's system is of course because they want you to continue buying their ink. Ink with a better than 3,000% profit margin!
Due to the unreasonable behaviour of a few Mistral has been forced to change its policy in respect of invoicing for new customers.
Although it may come as a surprise to many, the development and maintenance of high quality, expert system software is a very expensive and high risk business. Requiring investment of large amounts of capital for usually very marginal profits, often over very protracted periods of time. Accountants in particular seem to find it difficult to understand that although they consider that they deserve to be paid for sitting at a computer pressing keys for much of the day, a similarly sedentary software developer they frequently deny also deserves to be paid, even fed!
For years Mistral has tolerated prospects that having placed enquiries and received much time and attention in counselling then having 'placed an order' and requested an invoice, never have any intention of actually paying it. As with any business the cost of this has to be accrued in overheads. Overheads that ultimately of course must be paid by Mistral's large and loyal customer base.
In future all 'first time' orders will be despatched only with a tax receipt. Prices will be advised, generally by pointing to relevant pages on this website, but will not be invoiced prior to receipt of funds. Customers having difficulty accepting this procedure may use the alternative existing arrangement of ordering 'on-line' and paying by credit or debit card through Mistral's Secure Server or of course simply 'go elsewhere'. Although for the latter how they are able to put fuel in their vehicles or pay other not usually prior invoiced expenses will forever remain a mystery to us!
Existing loyal customers such as 'Corporate Licensees', 'Sponsors' and 'Upgraders' we repeat are not affected by this policy change and Mistral will continue to issue standard credit term invoices. At the same time as thanking them for their much appreciated business and offering as much discount as we can afford.
Mission statement:
"Bringing the benefits of computerisation to our industry - without the historically associated problems."