KEYnote 47 English - Spring/Summer 2024 | Page 11

Automation is the Answer One decisive factor when it comes to managing and delivering licenses to customers is automation , and lots of it . Every manual intervention in the process costs time and money and introduces a degree of uncertainty . Ideally , an order should be processed completely automatically from the moment it is received . Automated delivery processes should be in place so that licenses can be created and dispatched to the end users , who can then activate them on their devices . This is the exact purpose of CodeMeter License Central , integrated with existing back office systems . These can be internal systems or even external e-commerce systems , which allow even more automation , as it can handle the automated sale and distribution of software ( and the right licenses ) anywhere and at any time .

CodeMeter License Central CodeMeter License Central is the powerhouse that takes charge of all the processes for managing and delivering licenses . Its database includes all products with the product IDs they also have in the seller ’ s order processing systems . That back office system handles all the data about the customer , and CodeMeter License Central all the data related to the licenses . The main job for the license management system : Providing an activation code ( ticket ID ) for the end users that they can use to activate the licenses after delivery .

The process is simple : Once an order has been received by the ERP / CRM system , CodeMeter License Central is given the basic information it needs to create a ticket : the customer ID , the order number , and details about which licenses are needed ( 1 ). CodeMeter License Central then creates a unique ticket ID that entitles the user to receive the license , and it returns that ticket ID to the back office system in the lead ( 2 ). Defined internal processes then spring into action and send the ticket ID to the end user , e . g . as a delivery note with the ID included or directly as an email ( 3 ). The end user then uses this ticket to activate the licenses on the target

ERP

CRM

Database Inhouse IT

C

C

C Customized

Application G

Web server

Application server

Database

Virtual machine

Firm Security Box

device . The seller , i . e . the license provider , can also use CodeMeter License Central to define whether the licenses can be delivered on a CmDongle , in a software CmActLicense , or a CmCloudContainer , or any combination thereof . The same mechanism applies both for the initial activation of a license and for later updates in the field .

Interfaces Aplenty The market for ERP and CRM products is very diverse . Still , the requirement for CodeMeter License Central is that it should be seamlessly integrated in every case . To do so , it comes with integration interfaces on board that can be used by all back office systems to communicate with webservice interfaces . The functions and data of CodeMeter License Central can also be manually integrated into existing systems . The most common and most important of these are the functions for creating ticket IDs and for end users activating licenses . Connectors ( C ) can be used to create ticket IDs , and Gateways ( G ) can be used to activate licenses provided with a ticket via a license portal in a common web browser or via WebDepot . Using a license portal also gives end users the added ability to manage their active licenses themselves .

The activation process can even be integrated directly into the software itself by using the Activation Wizard . The choice of options is wide and varied , as illustrated here .

Connector

Connector

Virtuelle Maschine Gateway

WebDepot License Portal

Web server in DMZ

E-Commerce

CRM ( Salesforce )

Activation Wizard

Browser

Systems on the Internet

Represented above in the red frame , CodeMeter License Central is provided as a virtual machine , which can be located in the license provider ’ s / ISV ’ s data center or hosted as a service by Wibu- Systems . Different packages are available to match the required level of performance and availability . Irrespective of the actual location , both internal and external back office systems integrate easily with CodeMeter License Central .

With the Generic Connector ( C ) included in the CodeMeter License Central Internet ( on premise ) package or hosted ( Dedicated Server Edition and above ), license providers can handle integration with an ERP / CRM system either themselves or via an integrator . Alternatively , the Professional Service Team of Wibu-Systems is available for support .

Our partner INFORMATICS has prepared a fullyfledged and easily configurable module for integrating SAP systems .

The Art of Integration A smart and efficient integration of back office systems and CodeMeter License Central allows an exceptional degree of automation in the creation , delivery , and management of licenses . Flexible licensing solutions can boost software revenue and , at the same time , reduce processing costs for the business – a genuinely integrated win-win solution .

E-Commerce

Vendor

2

Sales

Database

Depot

4

License Portal

Users

11