Massachusetts-based full-stack IoT edge-to-cloud company Blues Wireless has announced a pricing update to challenge the industry-standard subscription-based model.

The update simplifies how users pay for and consume data-routing services through Blues Wireless hardware and software.

Blues Wireless offers the Notecard 30 by 35mm low-power, secure system-on-module that includes 500Mbyte of prepaid cellular connectivity. In addition to its small form factor, low-power design, security and baked-in cellular connectivity, the Notecard also contains an on-system database, file management and machine-learning capabilities.

With the purchase of a Blues Notecard, users get free, unlimited access to the Blues Notehub, a cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) that allows users to create projects and activate, configure and manage their IoT devices from prototype to production at scale.

Blues now provides the ability to purchase consumption credits to use towards Notehub services, such as routing events to their preferred cloud such as AWS, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud. Users control what they buy, how they use it and what they use it for. Volume discounts are baked in. There is said to be full transparency with no subscriptions, obligations or annoying fees.

“Our core objective is to eliminate the complexity involved in connecting IoT devices to the cloud,” said Ray Ozzie, CEO of Blues Wireless. “The Notecard has fundamentally changed the game, eliminating complexity in part through embedded cellular. Today, we’re changing the game again with Notehub, eliminating complexity by embedding PaaS. From device to cloud, no subscription required.”

The following changes went into effect last month:

• No monthly project subscription fees.
• Each Notehub account features a billing account, moving from project-based billing to account-based consumption, allowing all projects to consume services from the same account.
• Unlimited projects and users within Notehub.
• No monthly in arrears fees for routing events and APIs.
• Consumption credit model that allows for improved consumption of current and future services made available in Notehub.

In the consumption credit model, 5000 credits are included with each newly purchased and activated Notecard at no additional cost. Consumption credits are consumed from the Notehub billing account as Notehub services, such as data routing, are used. Each Notehub billing account is refreshed to 5000 credits at the beginning of each month if it’s running low, at no additional cost. Additional credits may be purchased from Notehub and discounts are available, up to 80% based on volume purchased.

“Enterprises and individuals are tired of the fee-based, multi-year subscription model,” said Jim Hassman, president and CRO of Blues Wireless. “People want simplicity, affordability, control and transparency. Every single company and person we have shown this pricing model to has confirmed that this is the future of IoT.”

In addition to simplifying the pricing model, Blues is also simplifying its pricing plans. Going forward, there will only be two plan options: Standard or Enterprise.

In the Standard plan, cellular connectivity and 5000 consumption credits are included with each Notecard, and billing accounts will refresh to 5000 consumption credits monthly if running low. Effectively a freemium offering, users on the standard plan who are prototyping and testing new IoT concepts will likely have no need to purchase anything from Blues. Those who need more consumption credits for their projects can purchase them at any time and take advantage of connectivity and consumption credit assurance in Notehub to ensure they never run out.

In the Enterprise plan, those with large fleets and special requirements will be able to take full advantage of the features of the Standard plan and be eligible for á la cart features of the Enterprise plan around hosting, support and services.