Licensing manager

XLS Padlock
1

Is it possible to establish “volume licensing” of application created with XLS Padlock?
I have this situation in mind, i.e. a single application is being offered in different license quantities, at different price for each license package. After user buys, say, 5-licenses package, how could I set up and control the licensing process with XLS Padlock so that no over-licensing occurs?

2

Yea… this would be useful as I am currently doing volume licensing with my excel sheet products

3

You can set up a database on your website to track down activations.

For instance, you create a record for your customer who orders a 5-licenses package. This record contains the number of activations and his email address.

You also set up a webpage where user enters his email address and unique system ID. The PHP script associated to the webpage finds the record thanks to the email address, decrease the number of activations and generates the activation key based on the system ID.
The PHP code to generate the activation key is available for registered users of XLS Padlock at http://www.xlspadlock.com/account

4

I have a few more questions prior to purchase

  1. Can the PHP script above resolve the following scenarios

    a) When user purchase 5 licenses, the user can activate the license 5 times through the web script using 5 unique computer IDs at the beginning, but I got calls many times that the user switch or upgrade computer. How can the user move the license from one PC to another, deactivate the license in the old PC and activate the license in the new PC, meanwhile maintain the total license number at anytime to be 5 only ?

    b. If the license is managed through annual subscription basis, how can I manage the license expire/renew through this web script ?

  2. Is there a way that I distribute the time limited demo/trial without the activation key input. The user can download the trial file. Once the compiled EXE file is clicked it start counting the start date and it allows the user to use a specified length of days. When the trial period expires, the user has to provide an activation key generated from PC hardware related ID to continue use.

  3. Is there a way that it limits the user to use for one year. After one year the user has to input another activation code or provide another license key for continue use?

5

The provided script generates activation keys only. It’s up to you to set up a database and manage computer IDs.

The key generator lets you specify an expiration date for the activation key.

Yes, you could enable the “portable mode” so that activation key is stored in a companion file (in the same folder as the EXE) and not in registry. Then, you can ship a default activation key with your EXE file set to work with 30 days.
But I’d recommend you to provide your customers with a trial key. It’s safer.

Yes, you can generate activation keys and set their length to 365 days. After activation, the key will automatically expire after one year and the EXE will prompt for another key.

6

Yes, you could enable the “portable mode” so that activation key is stored in a companion file (in the same folder as the EXE) and not in registry. Then, you can ship a default activation key with your EXE file set to work with 30 days. But I’d recommend you to provide your customers with a trial key. It’s safer.

Can you provide more details on where the “portable mode” setting is ? The problem with above 30 days trial key is that it’s not dynamic. Is it possible to ensure that the 30 day trial starts at the date the user first clicks on the EXE file ?

Thanks

7

Portable mode is here:

It is dynamic indeed. The activation key’s 30-day trial period will start only when the activation is performed, not when the key is created by you.

8

Thanks for the reply.

I need some more clarifications with regard to the “portable mode”

All I need is to simplify user’s trial process and eliminate the process of sending computer ID to me and waiting for registration key back. I expect the user can start the trial right after downloading.

  1. To use the “portable mode” I have to put a registration key in the same folder of EXE file. I have to create this registration key based on what ID? Apparently it’s not user’s hardware ID as it will apply to all users.

  2. How the trial user activates the trial. The user has to do something after the user click on the EXE file?

  3. If I distribute many EXE files locating in different folders, I have to put the registration key file in differtent folder ?

  4. How you manage the expire process on date checking. If the user manipulates the system clock, will the user be able to use the trial forever ? Do you have any internet clock check mechanism to tackle that kind of manipulation ? You can email me if it’s inconvenient to discuss your details here.

Thanks

9

  1. Is it mandatory for you to use hardware-locked activation keys for trial users? In current version, there is no automated way for sending the computer ID. We have plans for including some kind of automated activation in future releases, but it’s not a priority.

  2. To see things working, try out our demo http://www.xlspadlock.com/excel-workbook-demo#act

  3. The license file with the activation data must be in the same folder as the EXE when the portable mode is used.

  4. Not discussed on this public place. You can send me a private mail.