Logos 7 launch: The best launch in some time?

The launch of Logos 7 has left me with much better feelings than previous launches. Here are some things I think Logos did better this time, I may mix some issues from the release of L5 and L6, and some of my impressions may be wrong. The launch of Cloud and Now since L6 has made things a lot more complex, and this may affect other peoples impression of the launch.

More Transparency

A lot of this comes down to more transparency. The revamped LN was introduced and explained before the launch and users paying attention to the website, forums, marketing email had the chance to know how it would work before launch.

At the time of launch it was already made clear when one would get the Logos 7 engine for free (February). I also really love the simple explanations at the ways to get Logos page. Don't remember if this has been around at launch earlier.

Earlier (maybe this was only Logos 5) one had to wait to buy the cross-grade. This time the feature sets where launched at the same time as everything else.

Though the presentation could have been a little bit better. I also really liked the fact that the price of the base packages where split up into a library part and a feature set part. This made it more predictable how prices would be affected by buying Logos now and it made it a little bit easier to understand what are factored into "Discount for Products You Own"

I also really like all the options we have with denominational base packages and how easy it is to add one of them to your library. This has never felt worthwhile to me but now it does, maybe because of the presentation.

Maybe other people have other things that were better this time around.

Some areas Logos still has some work to do

Even more transparency would be nice. Very few companies I know of launch a product without telling their "fans" before launch. We were all expecting L7 this fall, and the Special Event (or whatever it was called) made many suspect what was coming, but that was only a week ago. Still, having a big sale (in noise, not in percent offered) a little more than a month before the launch without telling that L7 would launch in August wasn't the best way of doing things. I've understood that those who bought L7 at that time has gotten some kind of options, but had things been clearly stated at the time people could have factor this into their decision to buy or not to (like me) at the time.

I also really wished Logos would tell about changes to base packages before they happened. At least tell which resources would disappear. If the packages were introduced a week or so before launch I believe a lot of the asking for explanations etc. would be less rushed, less like "I just want to start reading Anchor-Yale and not hang around on this forum."

I also think a lot of us would feel better if there were three year launch cycles instead of two. I was thrilled at L4, after that new launches has been more of a meh (until now that is). This would leave us without the feeling of "but I just got the old version."

Living 16 hours before Washington time also made me a little annoyed at the whole video launch thing. I just wanted to check the new resources and get to bed, but had to wait (or well I didn't have to, but you know...). I also really hope the comparison chart can be ready at launch next time.

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Comments

Sean

More Transparency

A lot of this comes down to more transparency. The revamped LN was introduced and explained before the launch and users paying attention to the website, forums, marketing email had the chance to know how it would work before launch.

I found this a much smoother launch than for 6. I was not confused at all by the options. As you state, I think this was because I was paying attention on the forums and had a good understanding of Now. That level of vigilance shouldn't, however, have to be a requirement in order to be able to make informed purchase decisions.

I also had more modest expectations in terms of what I wanted to acquire with this round of upgrades, which helped. I'm pretty much satisfied with what I got and the price for which I got it.

Some areas Logos still has some work to do

Even more transparency would be nice. Very few companies I know of launch a product without telling their "fans" before launch. We were all expecting L7 this fall, and the Special Event (or whatever it was called) made many suspect what was coming, but that was only a week ago. Still, having a big sale (in noise, not in percent offered) a little more than a month before the launch without telling that L7 would launch in August wasn't the best way of doing things. I've understood that those who bought L7 at that time has gotten some kind of options, but had things been clearly stated at the time people could have factor this into their decision to buy or not to (like me) at the time.

Totally agreed. This company is a little too concerned with secrecy to the point that I think it damages their decision making sometimes. "Should we do X?" "No, because the customers might find out about it in advance and get angry if we can't meet their expectations" is not a good process. It's happened more than once, and secrecy was at least one of the stated reasons why the new version didn't get a (much-needed) facelift--they didn't want the beta spoiling it.

Even if there are downsides to announcing the release date in advance, I don't see why there wouldn't be some way of turning them around for the good. Announce a last minute sale of L6 packages--"Last chance to get exactly this bundle at a great price!"

They didn't exactly do a very good job of keeping it secret this time, anyway--around the time the LN changes were announced, the date for L7 got spoiled on logos.com, and it wasn't exactly hard to find, either...

Living 16 hours before Washington time also made me a little annoyed at the whole video launch thing. I just wanted to check the new resources and get to bed, but had to wait (or well I didn't have to, but you know...). I also really hope the comparison chart can be ready at launch next time.

I don't really like watching videos and would prefer never to be bothered with them. I know I'm in the small minority about visual media, given it's the Current Year after all, but Faithlife is first and foremost of purveyor of eBooks. Its customers like to read. Text communication of information should always be the priority.

These criticisms aside, I do think it was pretty good roll out.

Johan L

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/844795#Comment_844795

That level of vigilance shouldn't, however, have to be a requirement in order to be able to make informed purchase decisions.

I totally agree. But I don't think it was this time. It was all pretty well explained at the webpage, and the changes to LN was publicized before it happened. That's all one could ask for i guess.

One more thing I really liked this time around was the Logos Pro videos. Having them ready at launch was really helpful in understanding all the new things. I find them to be short and to the point.

My point with my remarks are that so often after launch there is so much complaining going on, some fair, some isn't. So when there is change for the better this should be noticed to.

Bruce Dunning

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/844825#Comment_844825

My point with my remarks are that so often after launch there is so much complaining going on, some fair, some isn't. So when there is change for the better this should be noticed to.

I think you made that point well. Thank you.

SineNomine

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/845173#Comment_845173

My point with my remarks are that so often after launch there is so much complaining going on, some fair, some isn't. So when there is change for the better this should be noticed to.

I think you made that point well. Thank you.

I agree, and it's a point well worth making, because it is well worth us all remembering.

Edwin Bowden

I agree that this was the smoothest upgrade launch in the 9 yrs I have used Logos.

Once we got past the first day, the site and information were pretty accessible.

I liked the video presentation, even though I had to continually refresh every few minutes when it froze. I had read the features list, but the video presentations brought them to life and made them much more appealing.

There didn't seem to be many reports of glitches like there always have been before.

I commend FL employees and the MVP's for answering questions promptly.

As always, when needed, Bob stepped in to give clarification and assurance.

I noticed that there seemed to be a better effort to distinguish between the target audiences of the different levels of base packages. I use my library to prepare to teach a Sunday School class. I jumped from L3 Gold to L4 Platinum because of all the commentaries and other reference resources that I saw as valuable. Since then, Platinum and above have become more targeted for pastoral and academic users.

With my 4800 volumes and my limited income now, it's a lot harder to get excited about adding resources that I don't know how much longer I will be using.

I also want to give a shout out for the remarkable job Mark Barnes always does of cutting through all the hype and telling us what we really want to know about the choices before us.

I'm still debating the Now option. I prefer the purchase over renting. It seems that those who were on subscription, have to pay for the same features again in the Full Feature Set if they don't want to lose them at some point down the road. Some of us are at the stage of life when there is uncertainty about our future funds.