Usage-Based Pricing Discounting Models

Discounting for Usage-Based Pricing

Incentivize Higher Consumption

Discounting is another example of the power and creativity that is available with usage-based pricing as SaaS and cloud providers can choose from an almost infinite number of possibilities to optimize their business model.

For example, some SaaS and cloud providers offer discount schedules in which the customer enjoys progressively better pricing as usage increases:

• 1,000 units of consumption qualifies for a 10% discount
• 5,000 units of consumption qualifies for a 15% discount
• 10,000 units of consumption qualifies for a 20% discount

Creativity can be applied to the formula calculations as well.  For example, there are two different ways the discount table above could be implemented. Suppose the customer consumed 8,000 units of a service with a list price of $1/unit:

• Calculation 1 – All 8,000 units are priced at 15% off $1 ($0.85)
• Calculation 2 – The first 1,000 units get no discount ($1.00 each), units 1,001-5,000 are priced at 10% off ($0.90), units 5,001-8,000 are priced at 15% off ($0.85)

Four Types of Discounting for Usage-Based Pricing

There are four models of discounting for usage-based pricing that have become popular amongst SaaS and cloud providers:

Single Rate

The single rate model for discounting is the simplest and most popular approach. The single rate model goes by many alternative names such as “flat rate,” “quantity,” and “per unit.”

In this single rate model the customer negotiates a simple discount structure that results in one fixed rate per unit.  The rate is the same independent of how much the customer consumes. The formula to compute the amount owed is simply:

Price x Quantity = Usage-Based Charge

A better description for the single rate model would be to call it a single rate tier – to differentiate it from the other usage-based pricing models which have multiple “tiers” of pricing as described below.

Example of Single Rate Discounting

For example, suppose the list price was $5 per unit and the customer negotiates a 20% discount in exchange for an annual contract with a specific dollar commitment.  A 20% discount on $5 per unit results in a single rate of $4 per unit.  As a result, the customer would pay:

Tiered Discounting

The tiered discounting model for usage-based pricing offers customers an incentive to consume more by offering a discount that increases with increased consumption.

The tiered model is also referred to as graduated pricing. The calculations for tiered pricing are more complex than in other models as the price x quantity calculation must be performed for each different tier.

It is rare to see a tiered model displayed on a vendor’s website. Tiered pricing is typically implemented as part of discounting strategy for a longer term contract. Discounts might be applied based upon the number of units consumed or alternatively, based upon the dollar value of the spend.

Example of Tiered Discounting

For example, assume that the vendor offers a three-tiered discounting model with the discounted rate of $6 per unit for the first 200 consumed, $4 discounted rate for units 201-400, and $2 discounted rate for units 401+. If the customer consumes 500 units during the billing cycle then the amount owed would be calculated like this:

Real World Example of Tiered Discounting

Below is an example of a tiered discounting model offered for data transfer out (egress) from a content distribution network.  The rate varies based upon the volume of GB transferred from different geographic locations.  The level of discount offered increases (and the pricing decreases) in tiers as the volume crosses certain usage thresholds.

For additional details on the example tiered discount pricing model above view the Google Cloud Platform Content Distribution Network page.

Volume Discounting

In the volume discounting model for usage-based pricing is similar to the tiered model, but with a different approach to calculating the amounts owed. Like the tiered model, the volume model also offers customers an incentive to consume more by offering a discount that increases with consumption.

Example of Volume Pricing

For example, suppose that the vendor offers three discount tiers:

Real World Example of Volume Pricing

Below is an example of a volume discounting model offered for an image recognition service that can detect faces, celebrities, landmarks, brands, and other objects.  The price per unit for all units decreases (and the discount increases) as the number of transactions crosses certain volume thresholds.

For additional details on the example volume discount pricing model above view the Azure Cognitive Services pricing.

Stair Step Discounting

The stair step discounting model for usage-based pricing offers more predictability to customers by guaranteeing a fixed price for usage as long as it is within a certain bracketed range.

There are a few differences to note with the stair step model as compared to the single rate, volume, and tiered models.

• With stair step the focus is on the total price the customer pays during the billing period, which is different than the single rate, volume, and tiered models that focus on the price per unit.
• Since the total price the customer pays goes up as consumption increases.  As a result, the total pricing in stair step tables increases with volume.  In the single rate, volume, and tiered models, the per unit price decreases with volume.

Example of Stair Step Pricing

For example, assume that the vendor offers a three-tiered stair step model as outlined in the diagram above.

Real World Example of Stair Step Pricing

Below is an example of a stair step discounting model offered for a shipping application.  An e-commerce site can print out shipping labels on demand to send out via carriers such as UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS.  The customer pays a fixed fee per month that is based upon the number of shipping labels printed.  Prices are broken into bracketed ranges that step up when certain volume thresholds are exceeded.

For additional details on the example stair step discount pricing model above view the Shippo website.

Variations on Discounting Strategies

Product vs Account Level Discounts

The four discounting strategies can also be applied in many different ways.  For example, the discounts could be designed at an individual product level or an overall account level.  With a product-level model, the discounted price is based upon how many units of a particular service the customer consumes.  A discount of 20% off product A is offered for a volume of 10,000 units.   With the account-level model, the discounting strategies are based upon how much the customer spends across multiple products.   A 20% discount off the total monthly invoice price is offered for spend of $5,000 or higher on products A, B, and C.

Most account-level discounting models are implemented as part of an annual contract structure.

Automated vs Negotiated Discounts

SaaS and cloud providers take different approaches to negotiating and applying discounts.  Some tech firms only offer these discounts to customers who negotiate sign an annual contract with hard-dollar commitments.  Other SaaS and cloud providers automatically apply discounts to all customers whether they have an annual contract or a monthly, pay-as-you-go plan.  These automated discounts are often based upon a universal discount schedule whereas the contract negotiated discount schedules might vary for each individual customer.