Document Exchange Server (DES) pricing.

I have not been writing for a while... but felt like I should put more effort into this... I hope you find the information below helpful.

In short DES has four pricing components:

1. Per Server - this is broken down to three basic model:
i) CPU Model - allows you to size your system based on CPU or per Site. There is also a departmental server (small business type of setup).

ii) Site Model - There are also unlimited site.

iii) Departmental Model - limited functionality and connectivity.


2. Per INPUT - each input would pay a set licensing price. Note that some of their CPU server models comes with preset INPUT licenses.
3. Per DESTINATION - that's where you pay for your destination connectors (DMS, etc.)
4. per User - That's the user stations



Most other competitors do not have as complicated pricing as DES. In most cases you generally find Per Device + Per Server. The Connector to Ascent Capture is also available and can be used to send documents to Ascent Capture (see my note on the Ascent Capture - CLICK!). There are various packages on Maintenance and Support as well. The pricing depends on number of maintenance years and type of support.

Note that above pricing model provides a lot of flexibility and allows users to select from variety of options. At the same time these little numbers could easily add up and make this already feature-challenged software to be pricey. The key is to know what is included and what's not included in each package.

Pricing level - Small deployment can use the Departmental Server but they will be limited to Ascent Capture and MS SPS as destination. if you know you are not going to grow, Departmental server maybe for you but know that with Departmental server Ascent Capture (CLICK!) is your expansion strategy. If you are looking for flexibility, start with the 1-2 CPU server but be ready for sticker shock.

On the down side, scalability is an issue and make sure to discuss your "processing and indexing" requirements clearly (Devil is in the details!)... you may find out that you have to purchase Ascent Capture additional licenses to really do anything with DES.

One last thing, ask for DES references within your own industry, and the size of the actual connected devices. What you may find is that due to limitations currently facing the product, there are not that many successful deployments. The product has ways to go before it's ready for scalable use.