Ideally, with a perpetual license with 1-year of free upgrades.
That seems definitely possible. I think what the team was worried about is sticker shock -- $19/month might translate to something in the region of $200-250 for the scheme you propose. Does that sound bearable?
perpetual license is what scared me off as well.
Ideally $199 with 1 year upgrades. As long as it keeps working after 1 year I am sold.