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.
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Peter Mason Scientific Programmer, CSIRO Mineral Resources

A Powerful and Flexible Solution with Very Good Customer Service

We use Protection PLUS 5 Native along with Instant SOLO server. It's a powerful, flexible solution that gives us a lot of choice in how we would like our licenses to work, and it extends easily to a complete e-commerce solution. It's a good solution with very good customer service.

I have contacted SoftwareKey support on a broad range of issues from licensing ideas to technical Protection PLUS 5 programming problems. They always respond rapidly and knowledgeably. I have never had a box-ticking or tunnel-vision experience with them. There's a clear impression of involvement and commitment.

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Vu Nguyen Web and E-commerce Manager, RoboMatter

SoftwareKey Continues to Exceed My Expectations

We've been using SoftwareKey since 2005. They have been essential to our ability to license our software, and they haven't had any issues keeping up with our growth. SoftwareKey has been incredibly responsive with my needs and requests for features. Their support is also very proactive with issues I didn't even know I needed to fix. I can't recommend them enough when it comes to a product licensing. They are there whenever we need them, and they also continue to exceed my expectations when it comes to our company's needs.

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Jason Grabowski Owner / Baseline Achieved, LLC

I Feel Like an Important Customer, Not Just Another Number

Customer service was absolutely the most important feature I was looking for. I knew that whichever licensing solution I selected, I would be partnered with that company for a long time! Tanner and the team at SoftwareKey were awesome. I used two hours of Jump Start services to get everything up and running, and a third hour to review everything and to make some tweaks to my licensing strategy. Now I am up and running and couldn't be happier! And I know that the SoftwareKey team is just an email away to answer any of my questions as they come up. SoftwareKey offers a complete licensing solution that is easy to implement. And if you are a coder that is not familiar with licensing, they offer great customer care to get you up and running.

In my opinion, what separates SoftwareKey from other licensing solutions is the customer care. They are very responsive to emails and they offer an excellent Jump Start service to get you up and running. They want my business and they are willing to work with me and support me to keep it. I feel like an important customer with SoftwareKey, not just another number. Not to mention that the licensing solution is great as well!

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SERHAT GÜLER Lexogen, Inc.

Great Responsiveness

I would really like to thank you for your great customer service and responsiveness. It's hard to see such great support and responsiveness nowadays, we really appreciate it.

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Deb Babbitt Software and Engineering Associates, Inc.

A++++ Support from SoftwareKey

A++++ support from SoftwareKey! First your software is easy to use and flexible enough to accommodate new and legacy products. More importantly, your support team is phenomenal. The dedication you showed to solving our unique situation was more than just appreciated, it was praised. The ultimate result was a flawless installation and activation by our customers ... a definite tribute to SoftwareKey.

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John Huhn CEO NewStream Solutions

World Class Customer Support and Proven Operational Excellence

SoftwareKey has world-class customer support and proven operational excellence. They work hard to ensure complete satisfaction with every order. What convinced us was the complete array of features of SOLO Server along with their tremendous customer support that is essential to maintaining your business.

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Adam Reue Senior Software Engineering Project Manager, Revcord

They Always Help Me with a Prompt, Cheerful, and Very Easy to Understand Response

We have been using SOLO Server along with Protection PLUS 4 SDK for several years. We recently upgraded to Protection PLUS 5 SDK, and the SoftwareKey support team has helped make the transition a success. With our software release date quickly approaching, things began to become a bit hectic and I had some urgent questions that needed answers. SoftwareKey support promptly supplied me with more than ample documentation, and got me on the right path to resolving my issue that night before the start of the next business day. No matter how simple (or dumb) of a question I have, they always help me towards a resolution with a prompt, cheerful, and very easy to understand response.

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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.

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Ian Mead IDM Computer Solutions, Inc.

Quality product - easy to use

SoftwareKey has provided IDM a 21st century software license solution that is on par with any major publisher we know of... that includes quality and excellent customer service and support. Easy to register, extensible to multi-platforms, and easy for our users to stay current!

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Heloise Laight Co-owner / Canonbury Publishing Ltd

Customized Integration We Couldn't Find Anywhere Else

We used to have a very cumbersome, manual process for distributing our software licenses. After trying unsuccessfully to find a suitable solution with other licensing providers, we worked with SoftwareKey to fully-automate a customized connection to our Customer Relationship Management System. Now through a simple process in our CRM, customers are immediately notified of their license credentials and can activate 24 hours a day!

The SoftwareKey team is great! They provided a robust and professional solution and their support was fantastic - I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

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