<p>While Adobe has decided to the ditch the boxed software concept, Microsoft says it will take a little longer before Office is sold by subscription only.</p><p>Earlier this week Adobe announced it is moving to a cloud subscription model for Creative Cloud suite. Writing on Microsoft's Office News blog, Office division head of comms Clint Patterson described Adobe as a "pioneer" and added: "Some pundits point to this as the future, others explore challenges, and a few wonder if Office is next."</p><p>Answering the question, he added: "Like Adobe, we think subscription software-as-a-service is the future. The benefits to consumers are huge. Subscribers are always up-to-date. They get the latest and most complete applications. They can use subscriptions across the multitude of devices people use today."</p><p>Products like SkyDrive and Skype are also more easily integrated with subscription services, Patterson said.</p><p><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/subscription-only-microsoft-office-dont-hold-your-breath-says-microsoft-7000015063/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://hexus.net/tech/news/software/55009-microsoft-reacts-adobe-abandoning-packaged-software/">Microsoft reacts to Adobe abandoning packaged software</a> (HEXUS)</p><p><a href="http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/cloud/381703/no-subscription-only-office-for-now-says-microsoft">No subscription-only Office for now, says Microsoft</a> (PC Pro)</p><p><a href="http://vr-zone.com/articles/microsoft-complete-shift-to-the-cloud-will-take-time--adobe-s-new-model-may-be-premature-/19988.html">Microsoft: complete shift to the cloud &#039;will take time&#039;, Adobe&#039;s new model may ...</a> (VR-Zone)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dD94i7PNWy_UVEMshR_Ixl8SUydhM&ned=us">52 additional articles.</a></p>