May 13, 2005

DNA Registration/USB License Key

Dear Valued Dealer:

After a number of years using software based registration keys, Open Options is changing the registration process to incorporate a universal serial bus (USB) key or hardware key for all software registration.

While it might initially appear to be a step backwards, we offer the following information for why this change has been made.

Software based registration keys are encrypted algorithms that begin with some solid source, such as the identification number of a hard drive, a computer mother board, a network card, or any combination thereof. This “source” number becomes the basis for the encryption that then unlocks, or registers the appropriate level of use (readers, workstations, drivers, etc.) of the software that has been purchased. This is a simple process that can be done over the phone and modified or changed easily with very simple routines. However, it is ultimately a machine based license and each client machine requires registration.

The downside of this registration process is two-fold. There is a rather complex set of intellectual property law having to do with the proper exchange of license rights and reservation of lien rights for the software vendor. Additionally, a software registration key is machine based and presents problems associated with changes or upgrades in computing hardware.

Over the last eight years, technologies have advanced in the form of USB and a great expansion in inexpensive storage. Under the previous method, any time there was a change in hardware of any kind, the source for the original registration changed; therefore, the end user was forced to contact Open Options to generate a new registration code. Since most planned outages of that nature occur over weekends or late at night, after-hour technical support resources were required and delays to the customers were inevitable. Additionally, in order to preserve legal lien rights, Open Options was required to provide temporary licensing until payment was received, here again forcing the end user to re-register the product and possibly experience delays in registration and further frustrations.

Today, we have a simple USB key that can store all of the proper use rights and plug into a single machine within the network to control all license rights. No longer does the customer have to register each client machine, or to re-register software if he upgrades a piece of hardware, nor does he have to re-register if a piece of hardware unexpectedly fails. If upgrades or modifications in use rights are required, the vendor can email a small file to the site, and the upgrade can be conducted electronically without the dealer being physically present.

In conclusion, four major advantages are provided by this change:

1. No need to contact vendor for software registration;
2. No temporary vs. permanent registrations to manage;
3. No need to re-register software based on changes in computing hardware;
4. No need to be physically present to upgrade software use rights.

We hope that these changes are recognized as beneficial as we continue to refine our business practices to flexibly support both our partners and end-users. Should you have any questions or require any additional information, please contact us directly at 972-818-7001.

 

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