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.