I'm not sure the toolkit is what they were really asking about. They asked if you can lease the software.
Here is a RA document that outlines perpetual vs subscription.
https://literature.rockwellautomation.com/idc/groups/literature/documents/sp/gmsg-sp013_-en-p.pdf
Rockwell will sell you what they call a perpetual license. With this, you buy it, you own it, it's yours forever. No other costs. If you want to buy a yearly support contract you can, but it is not required. If you want new versions when they are released, you'll have to pay to get the upgrade. Think of this like buying Microsoft Office 2019. It's yours, but it doesn't entitle you to get Office 2021.
You can now also choose a yearly software subscription. For that year you can use the software along with any updates. Like before, you can choose your support options. At the end of the year, if you choose not to renew, then you lose access to that software. Think of this like Microsoft 365 where you receive updated versions automatically.
This subscription model is where most software has been heading as of late. I now have subscriptions for several software packages. This model keeps that initial cost low, but you don't "own" the software. When you are done with it, you can't sell it to someone else. These subscription models also tend to be flexible. You can usually add and remove items and licenses as often as you like. Just yesterday I modified one of my subscriptions to add more users. Next month I can reduce the number if I want. Those changes are reflected in the monthly/yearly billing.
Keep in mind too that with many of these subscriptions, after 2-3 years you have paid the equivalent of full price. But, in that time you have also probably received an upgrade or two.
The toolkit that has been mentioned is usually reserved for RA employees, distributors, and systems integrators. A toolkit packages most of the various RA software products under a single license that has to be renewed yearly. As a system integrator, this allows us to design and program systems using RA software without having to manage licenses for each individual product we might use. This program has been around for quite some time and probably laid the groundwork for the subscription plan they now offer.
OG