Risks with a “Do It Yourself” Approach to Software Licensing

SoftwareKey works with a wide range of businesses, budgets, licensing requirements, and staff skill levels.  Frequently, we find that customers underestimate the level of detail involved in successfully launching and maintaining a licensed application throughout its lifetime.

Consider What You Don't Know

When it comes to software licensing, as with so many things in this world, often you don’t know what you don’t know.

The correct implementation of licensing is essential to the smooth operation of your software product.    By opting for the most professional and secure implementation and design, you can be confident that your investment will lead to profits.

Do It Yourself Approach Works Well With Simple Licensing

Most customers who have simple licensing requirements, or those who have senior-level staff with licensing experience, can implement the SoftwareKey System inside of their software using our Do It Yourself approach.   And you can always contact us if you get stuck: we’re happy to answer simple questions under our Standard Support plan.

Consider These Risks with Do It Yourself Approach

BUT, remember that there can definitely be risks if you choose the Do It Yourself approach, especially if your staff is new to software licensing technology:

  • Trying to bring together multiple different licensing models in the same application can create inter-dependencies that are easy to miss or not realize until it is too late.  What may seem simple can become complex very quickly.
  • Responses to questions posted to our Standard Support staff will come from one of the many skilled people on our team. However, on this level you do not benefit from a central project manager who understands your licensing goals in detail. And unfortunately, answering questions in piecemeal bites without understanding your overall goals is possibly going to result in extra time being spent by all parties involved.
  • You don't want to be surprised if a flaw in your implementation is discovered after the software is released.  Patching security or implementation flaws on released software can sometimes involve significant time and money, and may even generate customer dissatisfaction.
  • Finally, even during normal operations, licensing flaws can sometimes open up exploitable holes that could allow customers or hackers to steal your software more easily.
profile-pic
Andre Martinez Executive Business Services, Inc.

Flexible and Stable for Thousands of Users

We have used Protection PLUS for many years with thousands of users, and it has been a very flexible and stable product. We recently encountered an issue requiring FIPS-compliance in our software in order to participate with some US government contracts. We contacted SoftwareKey support to inquire about a FIPS-compliant version of Protection PLUS. Even though it required a special build of their library, they researched the issue and provided a solution very quickly. This was a big deal for us to support some large companies evaluating our product.

profile-pic
Joe Herres VP, Product. H3 Solutions/Mobile Entree

Affordable Licensing Solution and a Great Support Team

The SoftwareKey team was willing to work with us on a couple of custom needs we had and provided great support for our licensing needs for 6+ years. We were able to go to market with confidence, knowing that our software would be protected against piracy.

profile-pic
Abhay Deshpande Partner, Global Financial Datafeeds LLP

The SoftwareKey System and Support are Rock Solid!

We have been building data products for the financial market since 2008 - mostly for Indian stock markets.

SoftwareKey products are rock solid, you use them for your product protection, license management and it JUST WORKS! In last 10 years, thousands of trials & paid licenses were created & managed on SOLO Server Automation with no issues whatsoever. Their support is top-notch and always to the point. Their team understands what a customer is saying and on rare occasions when you need support, they are more than willing to help.

The SoftwareKey System made the license management aspect of our business so effortless that we were able to confidently make our software sales a primary focus.

Since 2008, we have immensely enjoyed the SoftwareKey System to protect and manage our software products. It is one of those rare companies which scores on every point!

profile-pic
Graeme Cox Managing Director and Co-Founder, Davco OptiSurface Pty Ltd

Getting to our first sale online was fast!

It's easy to trial, relatively low costs to get started, the support is good, the web shop being automatically set up is great. Instant SOLO Server is great, you don't have to mess around with any of that stuff. It's all taken care of.

profile-pic
Noel Carboni Owner, ProDigital Software

I'm Proud to Include Their Technology in Our Products

We started using the SoftwareKey System in 2009 and within a few days we had implemented the full Protection + Automation bundle in our graphics products. We've never even considered another solution since. The folks at SoftwareKey have always been responsive and genuinely helpful. They truly have an entrepreneurial spirit and I'm proud to include their technology in our products.

We have a growing internet software business where customers purchase and activate software licenses online, 24 hours per day. All in all, our customers experience a slick, integrated, and automated process.

profile-pic
Graeme Cox Engineering Director, DAVCO Farming

They Put in Overtime to Help Us with a Critical Issue

SoftwareKey has been an important part of our business in terms of securing our intellectual property with their software protection and allowing us to implement a pay as you use business model which is a first in our industry. Their support is always responsive and when we recently had a critical issue that was preventing the release of our latest version of software, they worked over many hours to track down the problems and solve it. This was a great relief and allowed us to ship our product and keep the sales coming in.

profile-pic
Bernice Kelly Owner, School by Design

Expert, Timely Support Even with 13H Time Difference

The most impressive feature of SoftwareKey is the quality and expertise of its support. As an Australian business, email was the common interaction. All questions were answered in a timely, respectful, expert and comprehensible manner whether simple or complex. As educators, these were qualities we most notice and most value.

profile-pic
Noel Carboni ProDigital Software

Reliable service & support

Your folks are very responsive... When we do need support, it’s always there. I’ve had really great responses from your technical folks, where they know what’s going on. They’re willing to take the time to simulate your customer’s problems. In seven years, I’ve contacted them maybe ten times total for minor things, never a failure or a crash.

profile-pic
Ian Batey CEO, IDMB Advisory LTD

Best IT Support by a Country Mile

Every time I raise a ticket with SoftwareKey, it gets dealt with promptly and with insight. Your team should be congratulated on such a consistently good performance. TRUST me, I deal with a number of IT support sites and yours is the best by a country mile.

profile-pic
Dustin Armstrong VP Operations, Tenacity, Inc.

It's Nice to See Sales Come in at 3am

SoftwareKey is a one stop shop for software protection. Tenacity has been using their solutions since we opened in 2004, and I would not consider going anywhere else. I love the SoftwareKey built-in shopping cart and tools they provide to protect our software from theft. It is nice to see sales come in at 3am.

The support that these guys offer is top notch. Dealing with the lowest technician all the way to the company owner has always been a pleasure.

>