KNOW-HOW
Scalable Licenses with CodeMeter
“Who needs dongles?” Asked first some years ago, this question is becoming more and more frequent in times
of increasing virtualization. But the question about specific types of technology or device designs is misguided.
What the end user cares about is a flexible and safe means of accessing licenses, regardless of the conditions
under which he is using the software in question. This article explores the many and versatile licensing options
offered by CodeMeter.
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and
their end users today have very different
requirements and expectations concerning
modern license management. It has to be secure
and kept up-to-date with the newest advances
in technology to prevent illegal copying,
reverse engineering, and manipulation of their
software. At the same time, the technology is
expected to provide flexible licensing models,
such as network licenses, feature-on-demand
capabilities, pay-per-use or other time-based
models in a simple and straightforward manner.
CodeMeter can provide licenses in many
forms and formats under a single, unified
technological roof. This is our answer to the
market’s seemingly conflicting requirements:
Hardware-based means (CmDongle) for
optimal security and flexibility as well as purely
software-based activation (CmActLicenses) with
an intelligent connection with the target device.
Both options can work locally or in networked
setups, and the range of licenses can go from
unspecified demo licenses (trial licenses) to pure
4
software encryption (protection only). The new
CmWAN solution takes this a step further and
manages licenses into the cloud.
What the end user wants is to be able to use
the licensing model of the software developer
effectively and efficiently in the chosen system
environment. No vendor’s software can be
successful if this is not possible. CodeMeter
provides a range of options for accessing
licenses. The leading edge in security is
guaranteed by the CmDongle in its various
form factors , storing up to 6000 licenses even
from diverse makers and vendors. On request,
the ISV can order additional flash storage to
have an immediate means of distributing the
software to his end users.
CmActLicenses, by contrast, work without any
hardware. The patented SmartBind technology
allows a secure link with the end user’s
computer, while still ensuring secure use even
in virtual environments
Dongle or Software Activation?
CodeMeter makes this question irrelevant.
Irrespective of the eventual choice, the license
management solution is integrated by the ISV
into the software product. The development
relies on so-called CmContainers as a
transparent layer on top of the eventual choice
of physical or virtual storage for the license
(CmDongle or CmActLicense).
Container
Dongle
ActLicense
Flexible use of hardware and software-based licenses