Q: Can I just buy Office outright like I used to? Why keep paying a subscription?
A: Microsoft 365, previously Office 365 is an ongoing paid subscription because you are not just buying a license to use programs but renting storage space. The cloud is the digital equivalent of a townhouse complex and you are renting a place to store your information. With multi-factor authentication (MFA) active it is like a secure complex with a guard and with Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) active it is like a high security complex with patrol and guards.
Historically, one would go to the shop (online or physical) and buy a license (with or without a box) for Microsoft Office Professional 2003, and then 2007, then 2010 for around R5000 as an example. Now with a Microsoft 365 subscription, one gets to maximise working capital by not having the heavy initial capital burden and instead budget on a monthly or annual basis more relative to staff turnover and financial year admin and budgeting.
As an added benefit, Office 365 and Microsoft always remain up-to-date on the latest version as per your update and license preferences on top of new, secure cloud-based security and storage features and collaborative tools. Enjoy the full-feature benefits of Microsoft 365, Windows Professional and @myfingertips security and support.