Licensing Schemes

We live in an era where it is no longer expected to pay upfront to purchase a single license (CD/DVD) for an indefinite amount of time, as it not only unfeasible for companies that readily update their software & functionality, but also expensive for users that only use specific features or use the software for a limited amount of time.

SecuTech caters to the needs of software developers and users alike, by offering a wide range of licensing models that can be “mixed-and-matched” depending on the distribution & monetization models, implementation requirements of the software, as well as providing protection from piracy and reverse engineering.

Licensing Options

Perpetual licensing: The most conventional way of licensing which most end users have used, and might still be using at the moment. An upfront fee is associated with this model, where users can use the software indefinitely.
Pay-Per-Use: One of the latest norm that arises with the increase in number of computer users: Users pay only for the number of times the software’s functionality is used.
Trial period: “Try-before-you-buy” model, allows the distributor to offer users a trial version of their software free of charge, and update into full subscription remotely later if required.
Volume licensing: Multiple single-user copies operating in a networked environment can be issued with volume pricing.
Floating licensing: Vendors can enable concurrent usage of software by one user in a networked environment, charging by number of network seats that use the software simultaneously.
Feature based: Product features can be enabled or disabled depending on user’s needs & budget, hence the difference in pricing charged on the user.
Time based: Software vendors can set the exact amount of time that users can use the software: An expiration time or duration of software to be used can be set.
Periodic subscription: Allows subscription/payment for software upgrades as they are released, without the need to purchase a new iteration of the software.

UniKey Range

Again, the choice of licensing model and tool is highly dependent on the type of project, technical requirements, and budget.

  • UniKey STD & STD Mini: Standard software protection functions, with no added network or real time functions.
  • STD Dual: Same as STD, but with both Type A and Type C USB ports.

The UniKey STD variants can carry out perpetual, pay-per-use, trial by execution count (or limited functionality software), feature-based, periodic-subscription (by upgrade/update) and custom modules obtained by combining features from multiple licensing schemes.

With all UniKey STD functions, the UniKey PRO is also able to control multiple/concurrent users on a single dongle (over the LAN or Ethernet network), this allows for floating and volume licensing possible.

  • UniKey Time: Includes all UniKey PRO functions, with added Real Time Clock (RTC).

With the added time constraint feature, it now allows vendors to issue licenses that monitor and control user’s license period through subscription or expiry (based on real time or duration).

  • UniKey Drive: Includes all UniKey PRO functions, with 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB of partitionable flash memory. Partitions available are: Normal (read and write), CD-ROM (mountable Read Only Memory), Password Protected (encrypted password secure partition) and Hidden (only accessible through API).

The UniKey Drive offers similar features to the UniKey PRO, while also allowing vendors to distribute their software, important files or configuration data directly on the dongle, for increased security and control.

A detailed comparison of our UniKey Range can be found HERE.

What’s Next?

So you have your project, licensing model, and the UniKey range available. Start implementing now, push that product out the door and monetize!

Still Unsure What to Do?

Start with a free evaluation kit from SecuTech!