SumoLogic · kimsauce · Dec 12, 2024 · Nov 20, 2024 · Nov 20, 2024 · Nov 20, 2024
diff --git a/blog-service/2024-11-20-manage.md b/blog-service/2024-11-20-manage.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+title: Self-Service Checkout (Manage)
+image: https://help.sumologic.com/img/sumo-square.png
+hide_table_of_contents: true  
+---
+
+import useBaseUrl from '@docusaurus/useBaseUrl';
+
+<a href="https://help.sumologic.com/release-notes-service/rss.xml"><img src={useBaseUrl('img/release-notes/rss-orange2.png')} alt="icon" width="50"/></a>
+
+We’re excited to introduce self-service checkout, a streamlined way for free and trial users to upgrade to the **Flex Essentials** plan directly from within the Sumo Logic platform. No more waiting for sales assistance—now you can unlock premium features in just a few clicks!  
+
+With self-service checkout, you’ll enjoy:  
+- **Quick upgrades**. Complete your purchase in minutes.  
+- **Instant access**. Start using advanced features right away.  
+- **Convenient payments**. Pay securely with a credit card.  
+
+Ready to get started? Learn how to upgrade your plan in our [documentation](/docs/get-started/sign-up/#upgrade-to-a-flex-plan).  
@@ -10,8 +10,6 @@ Sumo Logic provides everything you need to conduct real-time forensics and log m
 
 By signing up for a **Trial account**, which you can do through [our website](#sign-up-through-sumo-logic) or [AWS Marketplace](#sign-up-through-aws-marketplace), you can start using Sumo Logic in minutes. You'll have 30 days of full Enterprise account access to review and use our Sumo Logic SaaS Log Analytics Platform features.
 
-After 45 days, if you've not purchased a plan, your account will convert to a Sumo Logic [Free account](#upgrade-or-continue-with-free-account), and you can [upgrade to a plan](https://www.sumologic.com/pricing) at any time.
-
 ## Sign up through Sumo Logic
 
 To start your 30-day free trial:
@@ -33,20 +31,17 @@ To activate your Sumo Logic Trial account:
 1. In the email, click **Activate Now**.
 1. Fill out the **Activate Your Account** form, then click **Activate**.
 
-Next, you'll be taken to a brief two-step data collector installation process, which will get you up and running with your data in a couple of minutes.
+Thanks for signing up! Next, you'll be taken to a brief two-step data collector installation process, which will get you up and running with your data in a couple of minutes.
 
 ### Set up Collector
 
 1. Select the platform (Linux, Windows, macOS, or AWS) from which you'd like to collect data.<br/><img src={useBaseUrl('img/get-started/data-collection.png')} alt="Platform selection showing Linux, Windows, macOS, or AWS" width="400" />
 1. Copy, paste, and run the provided command to your PowerShell or Terminal. This will install the OpenTelemetry collector and relevant dashboards.
 1. When finished, click **Start using Sumo**. <br/><img src={useBaseUrl('img/get-started/install-otel.png')} alt="icon" width="400" />
 
-That's it - congrats! Next, you'll be taken to your onboarding checklist guide, where you can view your Dashboards, run your first log search, set up alerts, install more apps for your environment, and more.
-
+Next, you'll be taken to your onboarding checklist guide, where you can view your Dashboards, run your first log search, set up alerts, install more apps for your environment, and more.
 
-### Upgrade or continue with Free account
-
-After 30 days, your Sumo Logic **Trial account** will convert to a **Free account**. You can continue using our monitoring and log analytics services, but with limited features. You can [upgrade to a paid plan](https://www.sumologic.com/pricing) at any time.
+After 30 days, if you've not purchased a plan, your Sumo Logic **Trial account** will automatically convert to a **Free account**, allowing you to continue using our monitoring and log analytics services with limited features.
 
 |             | Trial accounts | Free accounts
 |:------------|:---------------|:------------
@@ -62,7 +57,41 @@ After 30 days, your Sumo Logic **Trial account** will convert to a **Free accoun
 <sup>3</sup> Forwards your logs to an S3 bucket after being collected and analyzed in Sumo Logic.<br/>
 <sup>4</sup> Notifies you in real-time when errors occur on your systems.
 
-For more information, see [Sumo Logic Account Usage](/docs/manage/manage-subscription).
+ To unlock premium features and scale your Sumo Logic usage as your needs grow, upgrade to a paid plan. For more information, see [Sumo Logic Pricing](https://www.sumologic.com/pricing) and [Managing Your Subscription](/docs/manage/manage-subscription).
+
+### Upgrade to a Flex plan
+
+Using our service checkout, you can quickly and easily sign up for our Flex Essentials plan with a credit card in just minutes.  
+
+The Flex Essentials plan is ideal for:  
+- Small- to medium-sized businesses seeking quick and independent onboarding.  
+- IT professionals, developers, and analysts who need rapid access to advanced features for security, monitoring, and analytics.  
+
+If your requirements exceed the capabilities of the Flex Essentials plan, you’ll need to [upgrade to an enterprise plan](#upgrade-to-an-enterprise-plan).
+
+#### How to use self-service checkout  
+
+1. Log in to your Sumo Logic account.  
+1. [**Classic UI**](/docs/get-started/sumo-logic-ui-classic). From the left nav menu, go to **Administration** > **Account** > **Manage Plan**. <br/>[**New UI**](/docs/get-started/sumo-logic-ui). In the top Sumo Logic nav menu, go to **Administration** > **Manage Plan**.
+1. Here, you can review the available Sumo Logic plans and pricing. Select the **Flex Essentials** plan.
+1. Enter your credit card details in the secure checkout form.  
+1. Review and confirm your purchase.  
+1. Once your payment has been processed, your account will be upgraded, and you’ll have immediate access to premium features.  
+
+For information on updating your payment information, see [Manage Billing Information](/docs/manage/manage-subscription/manage-billing-information).
+
+:::note limitations
+At this time:  
+- Customers using order forms for billing are not eligible to switch to self-service payments.  
+- Downgrades to the free plan cannot be completed through the checkout interface.  
+- Downgrades between paid plans take effect at the start of the next billing cycle.  
+:::
+
+If you encounter any issues during the upgrade process, contact our [support team](https://support.sumologic.com/support/s/).  
+
+### Upgrade to an enterprise plan
+
+Contact our [Sales Team](https://www.sumologic.com/contact-us/) for assistance. We'll consult with you to determine the best solution for your organization.
 
 ## Sign up through AWS Marketplace