I'm posting this to quell the rumors here regarding ElevateDB and Elevate Software:

1) No, Elevate Software is not closed down and we are still an operating business. If you email us with a question or a support issue, we will reply just as we always have.  I just simply don't have the time to monitor the support forums anymore.  And yes, I still need to get our phone # updated on the web site - we switched to a new VOIP system in 2021 and the phone # changed during that time (the new # is 838-910-3141).  We also (personally) moved in early 2024, but Elevate Software's mailing address is still the same (we still own the property and the business is still legally there).

2) Yes, updates and enhancements are coming a lot slower.  I have posted about this before and explained the situation, but apparently this information was lost: around 2021-22, inflation reached a point in the US where the cost of living started to exceed our revenue levels (the business has normally supported the employment of myself and my wife Sam) and I had to start doing outside consulting work in order to keep things going.  This is just a fact of life in the Delphi tools business - we haven't sold very many new licenses in recent years and the only thing keeping us going are subscriptions.  We felt that it was better to just spend less time on updates and keep the bug fixes/support going than to start raising prices (it wouldn't help, in the long-term).

3) I'm trying to get a couple of new non-development tool products going that use our products.  If there is a path forward for us, then this is it.  It's slow-going, but I hope to make more progress on this front later this summer.

In short, I'm trying very hard to find a way to get back to doing this full time.  However, in the meantime we are still here, still answering emails and providing support, and still fixing any issues.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly.

Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com

Thanks for the update Tim!



Tim Young [Elevate Software] wrote:

I'm posting this to quell the rumors here regarding ElevateDB and Elevate Software:

1) No, Elevate Software is not closed down and we are still an operating business. If you email us with a question or a support issue, we will reply just as we always have.  I just simply don't have the time to monitor the support forums anymore.  And yes, I still need to get our phone # updated on the web site - we switched to a new VOIP system in 2021 and the phone # changed during that time (the new # is 838-910-3141).  We also (personally) moved in early 2024, but Elevate Software's mailing address is still the same (we still own the property and the business is still legally there).

2) Yes, updates and enhancements are coming a lot slower.  I have posted about this before and explained the situation, but apparently this information was lost: around 2021-22, inflation reached a point in the US where the cost of living started to exceed our revenue levels (the business has normally supported the employment of myself and my wife Sam) and I had to start doing outside consulting work in order to keep things going.  This is just a fact of life in the Delphi tools business - we haven't sold very many new licenses in recent years and the only thing keeping us going are subscriptions.  We felt that it was better to just spend less time on updates and keep the bug fixes/support going than to start raising prices (it wouldn't help, in the long-term).

3) I'm trying to get a couple of new non-development tool products going that use our products.  If there is a path forward for us, then this is it.  It's slow-going, but I hope to make more progress on this front later this summer.

In short, I'm trying very hard to find a way to get back to doing this full time.  However, in the meantime we are still here, still answering emails and providing support, and still fixing any issues.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly.

Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com

Thanks Tim.

I think a lot of people waited for a few lines of text here in the forums. It's greatly appreciated.

If there is a quick and easy possibility to pin that thread, this might help to avoid further speculations.

Hi Tim,

<< I'm posting this to quell the rumors here regarding ElevateDB and Elevate Software: >>

Thank you so much for posting this Tim.  It is very much appreciated.


<< 1) No, Elevate Software is not closed down and we are still an operating business. If you email us with a question or a support issue, we will reply just as we always have.  I just simply don't have the time to monitor the support forums anymore.  And yes, I still need to get our phone # updated on the web site - we switched to a new VOIP system in 2021 and the phone # changed during that time (the new # is 838-910-3141).  We also (personally) moved in early 2024, but Elevate Software's mailing address is still the same (we still own the property and the business is still legally there). >>

You have been responding to many of my emails (which I am most grateful for), so I can confirm that support is definitely alive and well.


<< 2) Yes, updates and enhancements are coming a lot slower.  I have posted about this before and explained the situation, but apparently this information was lost: around 2021-22, inflation reached a point in the US where the cost of living started to exceed our revenue levels (the business has normally supported the employment of myself and my wife Sam) and I had to start doing outside consulting work in order to keep things going.  This is just a fact of life in the Delphi tools business - we haven't sold very many new licenses in recent years and the only thing keeping us going are subscriptions.  We felt that it was better to just spend less time on updates and keep the bug fixes/support going than to start raising prices (it wouldn't help, in the long-term). >>

I know a couple of visual component developers that are experiencing a big downturn in sales.

Things have been difficult here in the Southern Hemisphere as well.  Revenue is definitely down to below a sustainable level for me, so I know how you feel.  I'm working on creating multiple streams of income through various means (anyone have a balaclava or ski mask they can lend me).


<< 3) I'm trying to get a couple of new non-development tool products going that use our products.  If there is a path forward for us, then this is it.  It's slow-going, but I hope to make more progress on this front later this summer.

In short, I'm trying very hard to find a way to get back to doing this full time.  However, in the meantime we are still here, still answering emails and providing support, and still fixing any issues. >>

Best of luck with the new products!  I really hope they work out to be highly profitable for you.  I'd love to see what you come up with.

Thanks again for posting this update!

= Steve

Unfortunately the support seems to have been short lived - I'm not receiving any responses to my recent support requests sent by email.

My EDB annual subscription is due now but I can no longer justify renewing it.

= Steve

One thing that’s always bothered me about these forums is that you need an active subscription just to participate.

Plenty of people who don’t currently have a subscription are still using the product every day — they just don’t have anywhere to discuss issues, share solutions, or contribute to the community.  That’s a loss for them and a bigger loss for Elevate.

Anyone who has purchased the product at any point should be able to post here.  Cutting non-subscribers out doesn’t protect revenue — it just starves the forums of activity.  If this gatekeeping continues, the community will slowly wither, not because the product isn’t good, but because users aren’t allowed to talk to each other.

= Steve

Steve Gill wrote:

One thing that’s always bothered me about these forums is that you need an active subscription just to participate.

Plenty of people who don’t currently have a subscription are still using the product every day — they just don’t have anywhere to discuss issues, share solutions, or contribute to the community.  That’s a loss for them and a bigger loss for Elevate.

Anyone who has purchased the product at any point should be able to post here.  Cutting non-subscribers out doesn’t protect revenue — it just starves the forums of activity.  If this gatekeeping continues, the community will slowly wither, not because the product isn’t good, but because users aren’t allowed to talk to each other.

= Steve
Agree 100%