Congratulations! You have selected the SoftwareKey Licensing System, an extremely powerful, flexible, and expandable software licensing system containing tools ranging from client components that are used in your distributed application to server components that run on your Internet web server.
The SoftwareKey product family is designed specifically for software developers and publishers to implement software licensing compatible with distribution through CD-ROM or the Internet. In addition to reliable security, remote activation, Electronic Software Delivery (ESD), automated licensing, and unlimited distribution features, the customized suite of components provide access to instant e-commerce and offers cutting edge Electronic License Activation™ (ELA) and Electronic License Management™ (ELM) technology.
Protection PLUS™ – The Professional Licensing and Unlocking System is the foundation of SoftwareKey and works alone or integrates with SoftwareKey SOLO. It has evolved from the industry-acclaimed Protection Plus Professional (PPP) advanced software licensing toolkit that has been around for over 15 years. This powerful, flexible software licensing toolkit protects your applications and allows remote software license activation. Unlock demos into retail versions, protect single and multi-user applications, rent/lease software, implement pay-per-use licenses, enable modules, and more! PLUS is licensed in three forms – Professional Edition, Enterprise Edition, and Internet Edition.
Furthermore, a key feature of Protection PLUS is Instant PLUS, which allows you add software licensing and activation to your application with little to no source code modifications! (Please refer to the Instant PLUS chapter for more details.) Instant PLUS is the fastest and easiest means of getting started with licensing, and integrates with Instant SOLO and SOLO Server to make purchasing and activating online a breeze for you and your customers.
Automation Client – A 32 bit DLL which works in conjunction with PLUS to automate many of the software licensing tasks performed by a software publisher. It allows automated software feature purchase and activation, remote license updating, pay-per-use counter tracking, and much more. This client is included in the Internet Edition of PLUS and requires a SOLO Server or special programming on a properly equipped web server.
Instant SOLO(SM) – The Secure Online License Ordering service is designed to allow you to start selling electronic licenses on the Internet today. Instant SOLO is a hands-free service which gives you the freedom to make money 24 hours a day whether you are in your office or not. Instant SOLO is the only Internet activation service that lets your customers buy your software online and instantly receive a unique Protection PLUS license activation code automatically! Not only can you sell activation codes to your software, you can sell and activate product upgrades, additional features/modules/options, additional network user seats, etc.
SOLO Server™ – For those who want complete control over the entire process, the Secure Online License Ordering server extend your BackOffice and communicate with the client components to provide a complete, secure, automated method to license and activate all of your company’s software. All of the necessary components and scripting are provided to run on your own in-house server.
This manual contains information on the entire SoftwareKey Licensing System. The SoftwareKey Licensing System Overview chapter contains the details behind all of the various family members including features and benefits.
This manual was last updated November 5, 2008.