License Models
Carlson Software supports a multitude of the license models to
better fit the specific needs of the customer. There is three
retail license modes: regular standalone license, network license
and hardware lock license. There are four additional special
license modes: a demo license, not for resale license, educational
standalone and educational network license. These license modes as
well as their features, benefits and restrictions are described
with further details below.
Standalone license model
This is the most typical license model. The user is issued a serial
number containing a license to run one or more modules of Carlson
application. This authorizes user to install and register software
on one machine and one machine only. The exception is made for use
of home or laptop computer of the same person. Both computers have
to be registered online and home/laptop system is specifically
designated during the registration.
Multiple serial numbers containing separate features can be
combined within the same installation by entering them in Change
Registration dialog, found under Help, About Carlson.
When the computer is no longer available and software needs to be
moved onto the new system, the move can be performed by using
hardware upgrade option during registration, which marks old system
as decommissioned and allows registration on new system.
The upgrade serial numbers are tied to the original serial numbers
from the older version and continued use of older version is only
allowed if upgrade serial number is used on the same system as
original serial number. Otherwise the use of the original serial
number is terminated within 60 days of the upgrade registration on
different system.
Network license model
This is the license models used by the larger companies needing
flexibility of the software licensing when license is not tied to a
particular machine. The company is purchasing a pool of licenses
consisting of the appropriate count of individual modules to better
fit the needs of its users. The pool can be expanded by adding more
licenses at later date.
The licenses are loaded into the license server and software is
installed locally on the workstations with a network serial number
instructing software to look for the license on the network server.
For details on the installation process, please refer to the
Installation Guide found on CD. Procedure for requesting and
installing the license on the server is outlined in the Knowledge
base:
http://update.carlsonsw.com/kbase_main.php?action=display_topic&topic_id=55
.
Even if purchased as "seat" or as a part of the Suite, the modules
are treated by the license server as individual modules, allowing
separate users to have simultaneous use of separate modules from
the same "seat". Each user is going to request and hold the license
for the module he is currently uses. That license is held as long
as the program is running. When user switches the modules, the held
license is released and new module license is acquired.
The network license mode does not allow for the home/laptop license
the standalone license mode has, but it allows users to use WAN or
VPN software to get licenses from the remote servers over the
network and it allows to commute the license from the server and
install the license temporarily on the workstation. Commuting is
discussed in further detail in the Administrator's guide included
with the license server. The commuted license automatically returns
to the server when it is expires or it can be returned by user
earlier when computer returns to the network. Licenses commuted
from the server are not available to other users contacting the
server for the license, so commuting essentially decreases the
server license pool for the commute period.
Software configured to use any serial numbers with network license
mode enabled can not use any serial numbers with other license
models enabled - it will treat them all as network license serial
numbers. Therefore it is not possible to share a module on network
but have other modules in standalone mode.
Hardware lock licensing
In this model, the physical hardware key is issued. This key is an
USB device which has to be plugged in to the computer in order for
the computer to be able to use software. This allows a single user
to setup software on multiple computers or even locations and carry
his license with him in form of USB device. This is also a primary
model of licensing in the countries where software-only protection
is not considered sufficient protection due to rampant software
piracy.
User is responsible for the cost of the device in addition to the
cost of the software itself if this licensing model is
employed.
Demo license model
Demo serial numbers allow full use of software within the demo
period. The license is limited both by the duration and built-in
use counter. Once the demo period expires, the user can get
extensions from Carlson customer service in two week increments if
there is a demonstrated need to continue with decision
process.
Educational institutional license
Accredited institution can receive the network license for the
institutional license server for the purpose of teaching course on
Carlson software at a nominal cost of software maintenance instead
of list price. The university will be responsible for student
support and for commuting the licenses for student use in the
course. For all practical purposes this is a regular network
license, except for the different pricing structure.
Educational student license model
Students currently enrolled at college can purchase a significantly
discounted standalone license which will run for 1 year from the
date of purchase. A proof of enrollment is required and software
running in this mode will be checking online weekly for license
extension until 1 year runs out. After this, the additional
purchase is required if enrollment remains current. Second and home
computers are not allowed with this license model.
Not for resale license model
This is essentially a standalone license model governed by
additional restrictions of license use. Serial numbers designated
as "not for resale" are issued only to Carlson personnel and
Carlson resellers. These licenses should never be installed at
end-user systems or sold to the end-user. Such use constitutes a
violation of Carlson agreements.