What This Means for Businesses

Alternative payment model

Businesses now have open to them another payment model for its applications. Rather than try to convince users to buy an expensive software package, most of which they don't need, it can modularize it and customize the modules to customers' needs. This not only reduces costs but increases their reputation of their service and sales department.

Being able to rent out software functionality can also provide a steady income stream for smaller businesses - this is part of the reason why "pay-for-play" multiplayer is common in some games. Rental can also be attractive for their customers, in the same way computer rental is becoming popular. Rather than have to shell out a large amount of money for major upgrades and throw away the older software, they can merely rent it for as long as needed, and upgrade at a relatively lower cost. For small businesses that can't afford large expenditures, renting software in small, regular payments might be more practical from a budget standpoint.

References: F
Some random musings too on the aforementioned and personal observation and experience