What does Spire cost? The SBT VisionPoint version.

I have promoted Spire Systems to you, my SBT VisionPoint clients, in a series of emails and private phone calls for the past few months. Some of you are interested and, inevitably, those of you who are ask me, “Matt, how much does this cost?”

In enterprise software sales school, we are taught to deflect this question towards a discussion of value and pain points so that, when the price is finally revealed (deep into the sales process), the “value proposition” overwhelms the sticker shock. This approach never made any sense to me.

My view is that I should reveal a realistic estimate of cost as soon as I know it so that, if the price it too high, we can end the sales campaign and not waste each other’s time. Also, I enhance my credibility with you if I treat you like an adult by presenting true costs. With that in mind, I will tell you what Spire costs as best I can.

The typical SBT VisionPoint user paid $3000 – $5000 for their system over 20 years ago. You paid me, or someone like me, miscellaneous fees over time for support, customizations and other services. But, for the most part, your SBT VisionPoint has cost you next to nothing since you acquired it.

Next to nothing is an excellent price. I cannot beat next to nothing. Spire is not free.

The basic Spire license costs $5000. The basic Spire license includes all core modules and a single ‘seat’ license. You may add more seats for $500 each. So, for a five-user Spire license, the basic price is $7000: $5000 + 4*$500 = $5000 + $2000 = $7000.

I wrote this page in October, 2017. Prices change, often faster than web pages. Please contact me if you want a current, 30-day quote.

This price includes one year of software maintenance from Spire Systems. This means you get all updates to your Spire system in the first year. In the second and following years, you must buy a new contract if you want to continue to receive updates. The cost of renewing your annual maintenance contract is approximately 18% of a new Spire license price. With our hypothetical $7000 Spire license, your annual software maintenance contract, at current prices, will cost $1260. I recommend you keep your Spire license updated. Spire will not stop running if you drop the maintenance contract.

If you are in California, I must collect local sales tax as well. If you are outside of California, no sales tax.

There are three optional modules which add cost to your license. User Defined Fields cost $600 and I recommend it highly for everyone who buys Spire. Production Manager is for true manufacturers and costs $4000. Basic Spire has a strong Bill of Materials. But those who want to add production orders and planning to their manufacturing operation should buy Production Manager. Service Manager is for equipment repair and maintenance companies and also costs $4000. If this is your business, let’s talk about Service Manager.

These costs are not the only costs you will incur if you buy a new Spire system. The big, additional cost is service from me. While I will sell you a Spire license without service, a typical Spire installation includes a considerable amount of expert implementation service. You should know what that will cost before you start your Spire project.

Implementation service includes but is not limited to project planning, installation, software configuration, user training, data conversion, report writing and ‘go live’ support. While each project is different, the rule of thumb is to budget 100% to 150% of the cost of the software license for implementation service. So, if your Spire license is $7000, expect to pay between $7000 and $10,000 more for implementation service. This is an estimate. Your cost will vary. Your cost will be more if you push more of the work on me and less if you take more of the work yourself.

You may want 3rd-party software for your Spire system. There is a nice catalog of 3rd-party add-ons for Spire and the catalog is growing. These add-ons include web site integration, EDI, warehouse management systems, mobile sales and service, rentals and CRM. Each of these has software and implementation costs.

Still with me? These are the costs, and this is how you price a new Spire system. I can make a quote sheet for you very quickly if you want to see what your new Spire is likely to cost.

Look at the competition. It will take you much longer to get a hard cost from most ERP software value-added resellers but, eventually, you will. Spire will be less expensive and, likely, Spire will be better software.

This is why I like Spire and why I really like Spire for SBT VisionPoint users like you.

Still here? If so, let’s talk. Here is my contact page.

-Matthew Lefkowitz, President
Lefkowitz Systems, Inc.

P.S.        The “core” Spire license includes the following modules: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Account Reconciliation, Bill of Materials, Communications, Customers, General Ledger, Inventory, Job Costing, Multi-Currency, Price Matrix, Point of Sale, Purchase History, Purchase Orders, Requisitions, Sales History, Sales Orders, Vendors