Rocket Alumni Solutions Pricing: Subscription, One-Time & Multi-Year Budget Options

Schools evaluating digital recognition platforms frequently encounter claims that subscription models create “vendor lock-in” or that annual pricing eliminates flexibility. That characterization misrepresents how Rocket Alumni Solutions structures pricing and why the payment model matters for long-term value. Rocket offers subscription pricing, heavily discounted multi-year prepay agreements (including up to 10-year horizons), and one-time payment options when procurement requires it—giving schools the flexibility to align payment structure with funding sources and institutional requirements.

This guide breaks down how Rocket’s pricing works, what each payment model delivers, why subscription funding supports continuous platform improvements, and how multi-year prepay addresses grant, bond, and RFP scenarios requiring price certainty.

Understanding Rocket’s Pricing Models

Rocket Alumni Solutions structures pricing to accommodate different procurement scenarios, funding sources, and institutional preferences. Rather than forcing every customer into a single payment model, Rocket offers three primary approaches:

Annual Subscription Model

Structure: Schools pay annual fees covering software platform access, continuous updates, support, and feature improvements.

Typical Range: $2,000-$6,000 annually depending on:

• Number of display screens
• Feature set requirements
• Support level selected
• Organization size
• Custom integration needs

What’s Included:

• Full platform access with unlimited inductees and profiles
• Continuous software updates and security patches
• Regular feature releases and platform improvements
• Technical support and training resources
• Cloud hosting and data management
• Web accessibility for remote viewing
• Content management system access
• Template library and design resources

Best For: Schools wanting predictable annual costs, those requiring continuous platform updates, institutions with annual operating budgets, and organizations valuing ongoing vendor support.

Budget Advantages:

• Lower initial investment compared to perpetual licenses
• Easier to secure approval from annual operating budgets
• No large capital expenditure requirements
• Predictable expenses for multi-year planning
• No surprise upgrade fees or forced migrations

Schools with tight budget constraints particularly value subscription models because they distribute costs across fiscal years rather than requiring substantial upfront capital.

Multi-Year Prepay Agreements

Structure: Schools commit to multi-year terms (3, 5, 7, or even 10 years) with upfront or structured payment receiving substantial discounts.

Discount Levels:

• 3-year prepay: 15-20% discount vs. annual
• 5-year prepay: 25-30% discount vs. annual
• 7-year prepay: 35-40% discount vs. annual
• 10-year prepay: 40-45% discount vs. annual

Example Pricing Comparison:

What Multi-Year Includes:

• Everything in annual subscription model
• Price protection for the entire contract term
• No renewal price increases during contract
• Guaranteed feature access for duration
• Priority support consideration
• Extended warranty options available

Best For:

• Grant-funded projects requiring long-term budget certainty
• Bond-funded technology infrastructure projects
• RFP-driven procurements with multi-year planning horizons
• Schools wanting maximum value through discounted rates
• Institutions seeking price stability amid budget uncertainty

Multi-year prepay directly addresses the procurement scenarios where buyers need price certainty and want to avoid annual renewal friction. For bond-funded projects or major capital campaigns, paying upfront with significant discounts proves far more cost-effective than annual payments.

One-Time Payment Option

Structure: Schools pay a single upfront fee for platform access with a defined term of service, typically 5-10 years.

Typical Range: $15,000-$35,000 depending on:

• Term length (5 vs. 10 years)
• Feature scope and customization
• Number of screens/locations
• Support level requirements
• Training and implementation services

What’s Included:

• Platform access for agreed term (5-10 years)
• Software updates and maintenance during term
• Technical support throughout contract
• Initial implementation and training
• Content migration assistance
• Hardware consultation (hardware sold separately)

When Available:

• Bond-funded technology purchases
• RFP requirements specifying one-time payment
• Capital improvement budgets prohibiting recurring costs
• Grant restrictions on subscription spending
• Institutional procurement policies requiring ownership model

Important Considerations:

• One-time pricing still represents a term license, not perpetual ownership
• After term expires, renewal at current pricing required
• Major platform migrations or technology shifts may incur additional costs
• Hardware refresh cycles independent of software term

The one-time payment structure accommodates procurement requirements where subscription spending proves difficult or impossible while still providing defined-term access and support. Schools pursuing digital recognition through capital campaigns frequently utilize this model.

Why Subscription Funding Matters: Continuous Improvement Model

Critics of subscription pricing often miss why this payment structure exists and what it funds. Rocket’s subscription model directly supports continuous platform development, ensuring every client benefits from ongoing improvements rather than requiring paid upgrades or falling behind technologically.

What Subscription Fees Fund

Active Development Resources:

• Full-time engineering team improving platform
• UX/UI designers enhancing user experience
• Quality assurance testing for every release
• Security specialists monitoring vulnerabilities
• DevOps maintaining infrastructure and uptime
• Product managers prioritizing feature development

Continuous Platform Improvements:

• Regular feature releases (quarterly or more frequent)
• Performance optimizations and speed improvements
• Security patches addressing emerging threats
• Compatibility updates for browsers and devices
• Accessibility enhancements meeting evolving standards
• Integration capabilities with new systems

Shared Codebase Benefits: All clients run on the same maintained platform, meaning improvements roll out to everyone immediately. A feature developed for one client becomes available to all clients at no additional cost. Bug fixes benefit the entire user base. Security patches protect everyone simultaneously.

This shared codebase model contrasts sharply with perpetual license software where:

• Customers on old versions lack security patches
• New features require paid upgrade purchases
• Support eventually terminates for older versions
• Compatibility breaks force expensive migrations

The Alternative: Hidden Costs of “Buy Once” Models

Perpetual licenses or “buy once” pricing appear attractive initially but often carry substantial hidden costs:

Paid Upgrade Cycles:

• Major version upgrades: $3,000-$8,000 every 2-3 years
• Feature updates requiring separate purchases
• Forced migrations to maintain compatibility
• Data conversion fees during upgrades

Professional Services Expenses:

• Customization work: $150-$250 per hour
• Integration development: $5,000-$15,000 per project
• Training for new versions: $1,000-$3,000 per session
• Emergency support outside warranty: $200-$400 per incident

Degradation and Risk:

• Accessibility requirements evolve (WCAG updates)
• Browser changes break functionality (Chrome updates quarterly)
• Security vulnerabilities emerge requiring patches
• Operating system updates cause compatibility issues
• Database dependencies require maintenance
• Network standards change affecting connectivity

Without active maintenance, perpetual license software degrades over time. Schools face mounting compatibility problems, security vulnerabilities, accessibility compliance gaps, and eventual forced replacement—often discovering that total cost of ownership exceeds subscription models.

Systems designed for continuous accessibility compliance require ongoing maintenance that subscription models naturally accommodate.

Real-World Payment Scenarios and Solutions

Understanding how different schools approach Rocket pricing helps clarify which payment model fits specific situations.

Scenario 1: Annual Operating Budget Funding

Situation: High school athletic director with $4,500 annual technology budget from booster club and school contribution.

Solution: Annual subscription model

• $4,000 annual subscription fee
• No large upfront capital requirement
• Easily approved from operating budget
• Predictable expense year-over-year
• Continuous updates included
• Can reassess value annually

Why This Works: Schools with reliable annual funding streams benefit from subscription pricing that spreads costs across fiscal years without requiring capital budget approvals. The lower annual amount proves easier to secure approval compared to $20,000-$30,000 upfront expenditures.

Scenario 2: Bond-Funded Building Renovation

Situation: School district renovating athletic facilities with $2.5 million bond funding, allocating $50,000 for technology infrastructure including digital recognition.

Solution: 10-year prepay agreement

• $24,000 upfront payment (40% discount)
• Price locked for entire decade
• No annual renewal processes
• Budget certainty for bond accounting
• Significant long-term savings vs. annual

Why This Works: Bond-funded projects require upfront payment and long-term budget certainty. The 10-year prepay delivers maximum discount while satisfying bond accounting requirements. The school eliminates annual renewal friction and secures price protection.

Scenario 3: Foundation Grant with Sustainability Requirement

Situation: Private school receives $30,000 grant from local foundation for technology improvements. Grant requires demonstration of long-term sustainability plan.

Solution: 5-year prepay agreement plus sustainability funding plan

• $14,000 from grant for 5-year prepay (30% discount)
• $16,000 grant balance for hardware and implementation
• School commits to annual budget allocation for year 6+
• Grant funds hardware refresh cycle planning

Why This Works: Multi-year prepay satisfies grant requirements for sustainable planning while maximizing grant value through discounts. The school demonstrates long-term commitment while using grant dollars efficiently.

Scenario 4: RFP-Driven Procurement with One-Time Payment Requirement

Situation: State university system RFP requiring one-time payment for 7-year term with no recurring costs due to procurement restrictions.

Solution: One-time payment structure

• $28,000 one-time payment for 7-year term
• All updates and support included in term
• Satisfies RFP one-time payment requirement
• Renewal pricing established for year 8 in contract
• Professional services for implementation included

Why This Works: When procurement policies mandate one-time payment structures, Rocket accommodates the requirement while still providing defined-term access, continuous updates, and support—avoiding the “buy once and abandon” scenario common with perpetual licenses.

Scenario 5: Phased Implementation with Growing Budget

Situation: Small college starting with single display in alumni center, planning to expand to athletic facilities and academic buildings over 3-5 years as budget grows.

Solution: Annual subscription with phased pricing

• Year 1: Single display at $2,500 annually
• Year 2: Add athletic display, increase to $3,500 annually
• Year 3: Add academic displays, increase to $5,000 annually
• Convert to 5-year prepay in year 4 for discount
• Total screens: 6 locations across campus

Why This Works: Annual subscription accommodates phased growth without large initial investment. As value demonstrates and budget increases, the school adds displays incrementally. Eventually converting to multi-year prepay captures discounts once full scope is established.

What “Buy Once” Doesn’t Eliminate: Ongoing Operational Realities

The appeal of perpetual licenses or one-time purchases often rests on the belief that paying once eliminates all future costs. That assumption proves false for database-driven, web-connected platforms requiring active maintenance.

Technology Environment Changes Requiring Ongoing Work

Browser Evolution: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge release major updates multiple times annually. Each update may introduce rendering changes, JavaScript engine modifications, CSS behavior adjustments, or security policy updates affecting web applications. Without ongoing development work adapting to these changes, applications break or degrade.

Accessibility Standard Evolution: WCAG guidelines evolve as assistive technology advances and interpretation of ADA requirements clarifies through case law and guidance updates. What satisfied accessibility compliance in 2024 may fall short of requirements in 2026. Maintaining compliance requires continuous work, not one-time development.

Security Vulnerability Landscape: New security threats emerge constantly. Browser security policies tighten. Best practices evolve. SSL/TLS standards advance. Authentication methods improve. Without ongoing security maintenance, platforms accumulate vulnerabilities that put institutional data at risk.

Operating System and Kiosk Environment Changes: Digital displays typically run on Windows, ChromeOS, or specialized kiosk operating systems that receive updates, change behavior, deprecate features, and modify hardware drivers. Maintaining compatibility requires ongoing testing and adaptation work.

Database and Infrastructure Dependencies: Cloud hosting platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) evolve infrastructure, update database engines, modify APIs, and deprecate older services. Applications must adapt or face service disruptions.

Networking Standards Evolution: WiFi standards advance (WiFi 6, WiFi 6E, WiFi 7). Network security protocols change. Content delivery optimization techniques improve. IP protocols evolve. Staying current requires continuous infrastructure work.

Hidden Costs of Perpetual License Maintenance

Schools purchasing perpetual licenses eventually face these costs:

Annual Maintenance Contracts:

• 15-25% of license cost annually
• Required to receive updates and support
• Often increase prices annually
• May terminate after certain years forcing upgrades

Paid Upgrade Cycles:

• Major version upgrades every 2-4 years
• Typically 30-50% of original license cost
• May require data migration services
• Often forced by end-of-support dates

Professional Services for Changes:

• Customization: $150-$250 per hour
• Integration work: $5,000-$20,000 per project
• Emergency support: $200-$500 per incident
• Training: $1,000-$5,000 per session

Downtime and Degradation Costs:

• Staff time troubleshooting issues: 10-20 hours annually
• Lost engagement during outages
• Reputation damage from broken systems
• Opportunity cost of time spent on technical issues

When these hidden costs accumulate over 5-7 years, total cost of ownership for perpetual licenses frequently exceeds subscription models—particularly when factoring in superior functionality, reliability, and user experience that actively maintained platforms deliver.

Understanding hardware and software lifecycle costs helps schools make informed decisions about total cost of ownership.

The Operational Promise: Sleep-at-Night Reliability

Beyond pricing structure, Rocket’s value proposition centers on operational reliability—schools don’t need to babysit the system because centralized maintenance, database-driven architecture, and automatic updates ensure continuous functionality.

What “Set and Forget” Really Means

Automatic Content Updates: Because Rocket uses cloud-based content management, updates made through the CMS appear automatically on all connected displays within minutes. No manual file transfers, no visits to each screen, no USB drives carrying updated content.

Centralized Maintenance: Security patches, bug fixes, feature improvements, and performance optimizations deploy centrally without requiring action from individual schools. Updates happen transparently during low-traffic hours without display downtime.

Browser Compatibility Maintenance: As browsers update, Rocket’s engineering team tests and adapts the platform to ensure continued compatibility. Schools never wake up to discover Chrome updates broke their displays because Rocket handled compatibility proactively.

Accessibility Compliance Maintenance: WCAG requirements evolve and assistive technology advances. Rocket maintains compliance with current standards through ongoing development work, ensuring schools stay compliant without dedicated accessibility expertise.

Security Vulnerability Management: Rocket monitors security vulnerability databases, conducts regular security audits, and deploys patches when threats emerge. Schools benefit from enterprise-grade security practices without requiring dedicated security staff.

Performance Monitoring and Optimization: Rocket monitors platform performance, identifies bottlenecks, and optimizes database queries and content delivery to maintain fast, responsive user experiences. Schools benefit from these improvements automatically.

Comparison: Self-Hosted or Perpetual License Maintenance Burden

Schools choosing self-hosted solutions or perpetual licenses assume responsibility for:

Technical Maintenance:

• Server administration and updates
• Database maintenance and optimization
• Security patch deployment
• Backup management and disaster recovery
• Performance monitoring and troubleshooting
• Browser compatibility testing
• Hardware maintenance and replacement

Content Operations:

• Manual content deployments to displays
• File management and organization
• Version control and rollback procedures
• Testing before publishing changes
• Troubleshooting display-specific issues

Compliance and Security:

• Accessibility testing and remediation
• Security vulnerability scanning
• Patch management processes
• Access control and user management
• Compliance documentation and reporting

Most schools lack dedicated IT resources for these tasks. When technical issues arise, displays sit broken for days or weeks awaiting resolution. When browser updates cause problems, finding and fixing compatibility issues takes institutional resources away from education mission.

Rocket’s operational model ensures schools can “sleep at night” knowing displays will work tomorrow without their intervention—a reliability promise particularly valuable for resource-constrained institutions.

Schools exploring digital signage services with minimal IT overhead appreciate solutions designed for hands-off operation.

Comparing Total Cost of Ownership: 10-Year Analysis

Understanding true costs requires examining total cost of ownership across realistic timeframes rather than focusing solely on initial price.

Scenario A: Annual Subscription

10-Year Costs:

• Year 1-10 subscription: $4,000/year × 10 = $40,000
• Hardware (purchased separately): $8,000 (initial) + $8,000 (replacement year 7) = $16,000
• Implementation and training: $2,000 (year 1)
• Content development: $1,000 (year 1)
• Total 10-Year Cost: $59,000

Value Received:

• Continuous platform updates throughout decade
• All feature releases included
• Ongoing security and compliance maintenance
• Technical support for entire period
• No surprise upgrade fees
• Price predictability with budgeting certainty

Per-Year Average: $5,900

Scenario B: 10-Year Prepay

10-Year Costs:

• 10-year prepay subscription: $24,000 (40% discount)
• Hardware (purchased separately): $8,000 (initial) + $8,000 (replacement year 7) = $16,000
• Implementation and training: $2,000 (year 1)
• Content development: $1,000 (year 1)
• Total 10-Year Cost: $43,000

Value Received:

• Same continuous updates and support as annual
• Price locked for entire decade
• Maximum discount (40% vs. annual)
• No annual renewal processes
• Budget certainty from day one

Per-Year Average: $4,300

Savings vs. Annual: $16,000 (27% reduction)

Scenario C: One-Time Payment (7-Year Term)

10-Year Costs:

• Initial 7-year term: $28,000
• Years 8-10 renewal: $12,000 (3 years at $4,000/year)
• Hardware (purchased separately): $8,000 (initial) + $8,000 (replacement year 7) = $16,000
• Implementation and training: $2,000 (year 1)
• Content development: $1,000 (year 1)
• Total 10-Year Cost: $59,000

Value Received:

• Satisfies one-time payment procurement requirements
• Updates and support included in initial term
• Defined renewal pricing for years 8-10
• Price certainty for initial 7 years

Per-Year Average: $5,900

Equivalent to Annual: $0 difference (accommodates procurement requirements)

Scenario D: Perpetual License + Maintenance (Competitive Alternative)

10-Year Costs:

• Initial perpetual license: $25,000
• Annual maintenance (20% of license): $5,000/year × 10 = $50,000
• Major upgrade (year 5): $10,000
• Hardware (purchased separately): $8,000 (initial) + $8,000 (replacement year 7) = $16,000
• Implementation and training: $3,000 (year 1) + $2,000 (year 5 upgrade)
• Professional services (avg): $2,000/year × 10 = $20,000
• Content development: $1,000 (year 1)
• Total 10-Year Cost: $135,000

Value Received:

• “Ownership” of license (with conditions)
• Maintenance only during contract period
• Upgrades require separate purchases
• Professional services for most changes
• Support limited to maintenance contract scope

Per-Year Average: $13,500

Premium vs. Rocket Annual: $76,000 (129% more expensive)

This analysis demonstrates that Rocket’s pricing—even at annual subscription rates—delivers superior total cost of ownership compared to traditional perpetual license models. Multi-year prepay further enhances value while accommodating procurement preferences.

Schools concerned about unlimited screen costs and hidden fees find Rocket’s transparent pricing structure more predictable than alternatives.

Budget Planning: Aligning Payment Structure with Funding Sources

Smart procurement matches payment structure to funding source characteristics and institutional cash flow realities.

Annual Operating Budget Funding → Annual Subscription

Characteristics:

• Reliable annual allocations from operating budgets
• Easier approval for smaller recurring expenses
• Flexibility to reassess value annually
• Distributed costs across fiscal years

Best Practices:

• Build subscription into permanent operating budget
• Treat as infrastructure cost like internet or phone service
• Demonstrate value through usage metrics and engagement data
• Secure multi-year commitment from administration even with annual payment

Capital Campaign or Major Gift → Multi-Year Prepay

Characteristics:

• One-time funding from donors or campaigns
• Preference for long-term impact from gift
• Desire to avoid ongoing operational costs
• Requirement to show value and sustainability

Best Practices:

• Choose longest prepay term affordable (7-10 years)
• Maximize discount to stretch donor dollars
• Demonstrate cost avoidance vs. annual model
• Establish sustainability plan for post-prepay period
• Use savings for hardware or additional features

Bond Funding or Capital Improvement → One-Time Payment

Characteristics:

• Large capital projects with defined budgets
• Procurement requirements for capital purchases
• Multi-year accounting and budget tracking
• Prohibition on recurring operational costs in bond accounting

Best Practices:

• Structure as capital purchase with defined term
• Ensure support and updates included in initial cost
• Establish renewal pricing in advance for planning
• Consider longest term available to maximize value
• Allocate portion of bond funding for hardware refresh cycles

Grant Funding with Restrictions → Flexible Structure Match

Characteristics:

• Grant-specific requirements on spending
• Timeline constraints for fund utilization
• Reporting requirements for grant compliance
• Sustainability demonstration requirements

Best Practices:

• Review grant terms carefully for restrictions
• Match payment structure to grant allowances
• Consider multi-year prepay if grant allows capital spending
• Use annual subscription if grant prohibits large purchases
• Document sustainability plan satisfying grant requirements
• Use grant funds for both software and hardware when possible

Phased Growth or Expanding Programs → Annual with Upgrade Path

Characteristics:

• Starting small with growth planned
• Budget uncertainty about future expansion
• Desire to demonstrate value before full commitment
• Multiple potential funding sources over time

Best Practices:

• Begin with annual subscription for flexibility
• Add displays incrementally as budget grows
• Convert to multi-year prepay once scope stabilizes
• Lock in discounts after demonstrating value
• Plan hardware refresh cycles independently

Understanding nonprofit budget strategies helps institutions align payment structure with organizational realities.

Common Pricing Questions and Misconceptions

“Subscription pricing means we never own anything”

Reality: Neither subscription nor “perpetual license” models provide true ownership of software in traditional sense. Perpetual licenses grant limited usage rights with conditions, not ownership. Subscription grants ongoing access rights with continuous improvements.

The meaningful distinction isn’t ownership but rather value delivery and total cost. Subscription models that deliver continuous improvements, security, and support at lower total cost provide better value than perpetual licenses requiring expensive maintenance and upgrades.

“Multi-year contracts lock us in with no way out”

Reality: Multi-year prepay agreements represent voluntary commitments schools make to capture substantial discounts—not vendor lock-in schemes. Schools choosing multi-year terms do so because:

• Funding source requires long-term commitment
• Price certainty benefits multi-year budgeting
• Substantial discounts (40%+) justify commitment
• Institution values price protection against future increases

Multi-year agreements include defined terms and renewal provisions. Schools understand commitment length upfront and choose terms matching their needs and funding sources.

“Annual subscription means unpredictable price increases”

Reality: Rocket typically maintains stable pricing year-over-year with any increases tracking inflation and market conditions. Average annual increases range 0-5%—far lower than traditional software maintenance increases of 8-12%.

More importantly, multi-year prepay options completely eliminate price uncertainty for institutions concerned about future increases. A 10-year prepay locks pricing for the entire decade.

“One-time payment is always better than subscription”

Reality: One-time payments make sense when procurement requires it, but comparing apples-to-apples shows subscription or multi-year prepay often delivers better value:

• 10-year annual subscription total: $40,000
• 7-year one-time payment + 3-year renewal: $40,000
• 10-year prepay with 40% discount: $24,000

Multi-year prepay captures benefits of one-time payment (price certainty, upfront funding allocation) while delivering superior discounts.

“We can build this ourselves for less”

Reality: Schools occasionally consider building custom recognition platforms rather than purchasing commercial solutions. Total cost calculations rarely support this approach:

Custom Development Costs:

• Initial development: $50,000-$150,000
• Ongoing maintenance: $10,000-$30,000 annually
• Security and compliance work: $5,000-$15,000 annually
• Feature enhancements: $10,000-$25,000 annually
• Staff time managing vendors and projects

10-Year Total: $250,000-$500,000+

Custom development makes sense for large institutions with specific requirements and dedicated development resources. For most schools, commercial platforms deliver professional solutions at fraction of custom development costs while avoiding ongoing technical debt and maintenance burden.

Making the Decision: Which Payment Model Fits Your Situation?

Choose Annual Subscription If:

• Operating budget funding available annually
• You want flexibility to reassess value each year
• Capital expenditure approval proves difficult
• You prefer distributed costs across fiscal years
• Budget certainty exists for ongoing expenses

Choose Multi-Year Prepay If:

• You have upfront funding available (grant, bond, gift)
• Price certainty benefits multi-year planning
• You want maximum discount (up to 40% savings)
• Institutional preference favors prepayment
• You want to avoid annual renewal processes

Choose One-Time Payment If:

• Procurement policies require capital purchases
• Grant or bond restrictions prohibit recurring costs
• Institutional accounting prefers defined-term purchases
• Budget structure favors one-time expenditures
• You need clear end-date for planning purposes

Choose Annual with Upgrade Path If:

• Starting small with growth planned
• Budget uncertainty about expansion timeline
• Want to demonstrate value before full commitment
• Multiple funding sources available over time
• Phased implementation matches institutional rollout

Regardless of payment structure chosen, Rocket’s value proposition remains consistent: continuous platform improvements protecting institutional investment, operational reliability minimizing support burden, and inclusive recognition capabilities celebrating comprehensive achievement across your community.

Schools exploring budget-friendly recognition options benefit from payment flexibility matching institutional needs.

Conclusion: Flexible Pricing Meeting Real Procurement Needs

The characterization of Rocket Alumni Solutions as “subscription-only” or “annual-renewal trap” misrepresents both pricing structure and value delivery. Rocket offers:

Flexible Payment Options:

• Annual subscription for operating budget convenience
• Multi-year prepay with substantial discounts (up to 40%)
• One-time payment when procurement requires it
• Custom structures matching institutional needs

Transparent Value Delivery:

• Continuous platform improvements benefiting all clients
• Security and compliance maintenance included
• No hidden upgrade fees or forced migrations
• Shared codebase ensuring no one gets left behind
• Operational reliability requiring minimal institutional resources

Budget Certainty:

• Multi-year agreements provide long-term price locks
• Annual subscription offers predictable costs
• No surprise professional services fees
• Total cost of ownership lower than perpetual license alternatives

The subscription model exists because maintaining database-driven, web-connected platforms requires continuous work addressing browser changes, security vulnerabilities, accessibility requirements, and technology evolution. Rocket’s pricing funds this ongoing engineering work so schools benefit from improvements without intervention.

For schools facing grant funding, bond projects, or RFP requirements, multi-year prepay and one-time payment options accommodate procurement realities while delivering substantial discounts and price certainty. The promise isn’t “buy once and ignore forever”—that’s not realistic for living platforms—but rather “pay once upfront and receive defined-term service with continuous maintenance included.”

The practical outcome schools value most: lower operational risk, reduced maintenance burden, and confidence that displays will work reliably without constant institutional attention. Whether funded through annual subscription, multi-year prepay, or one-time payment, Rocket’s flexible pricing structures align payment with institutional funding sources while delivering consistent value and reliability.

Ready to explore which payment structure best fits your funding sources and institutional requirements? Book a demo to discuss custom pricing matching your specific needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we switch from annual subscription to multi-year prepay later?

Yes, many schools begin with annual subscription to demonstrate value, then convert to multi-year prepay in year 2 or 3 to capture discounts once benefits are proven. Rocket typically credits previous annual payments toward multi-year agreements, ensuring schools don’t lose value from their initial subscription period. This approach works particularly well for phased implementations where schools start small and expand over time.

What happens if our needs change during a multi-year contract?

Multi-year agreements accommodate growth through addendum provisions. If you need additional displays, expanded features, or enhanced support, Rocket can modify agreements to incorporate changes—typically at pro-rated discount rates matching your original term. For decreasing needs, schools work with Rocket on transition plans that respect contract commitments while addressing changed circumstances. Flexibility within defined terms distinguishes service agreements from rigid perpetual licenses.

How does hardware cost factor into total pricing?

Hardware is typically purchased separately from software subscriptions, giving schools flexibility to use existing displays, purchase through preferred vendors, or buy directly from Rocket. Commercial-grade touchscreens range $3,000-$8,000 depending on size (43"-65") and capabilities. Hardware lasts 5-7 years with normal use, requiring eventual replacement independent of software subscription. Many schools use facilities budgets for hardware while funding software through operating or technology budgets, spreading costs across funding sources.

Can we pause subscription during summer or low-use periods?

Subscriptions remain active continuously to provide year-round access including web viewing, content updates, and alumni engagement. However, schools can adjust display operating hours to reduce electricity costs during summer months while maintaining platform access for content management and remote viewing. This differs from services that charge per-active-month—Rocket’s pricing assumes continuous access because ongoing platform maintenance and security continue regardless of seasonal usage patterns.

What happens at the end of multi-year prepay terms?

Approximately 6-12 months before prepay term expiration, Rocket contacts schools to discuss renewal options. Schools can renew at current pricing (which may differ from original pricing), convert to annual subscription, or pursue another multi-year prepay term. Rocket provides advance notice ensuring schools have time for budget planning and approval processes. Most schools renew because their investment in content, staff training, and institutional integration makes platform switching disruptive and expensive.

How does Rocket pricing compare to competitors?

Rocket typically prices 15-30% below enterprise digital signage platforms (like Gipper or custom development) while offering superior features for recognition-specific use cases. Compared to DIY solutions using Google Slides or PowerPoint, Rocket costs more initially but delivers professional capabilities, interactive features, and time savings that quickly justify the investment. Total cost of ownership analysis consistently shows Rocket providing best value among purpose-built recognition platforms through combination of features, pricing, and included support.

Comparative statements reflect Rocket Alumni Solutions’ interpretation of publicly available data as of January 2026 and may change over time. All product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Rocket Alumni Solutions is not affiliated with or endorsed by any mentioned competitors.

Written by the Team

Experts in digital hall of fame solutions, helping schools and organizations honor their legacy.

Rocket Alumni Solutions