RLM is a
software toolkit that allows
software vendors (ISVs) to more effectively price and license their products for
sale to end-users. Using RLM, ISVs can capture lost revenue by offering
attractive license terms that more closely match their customer's needs, rather
than being stuck in a "one-license-type-fits-all" sales model. RLM keeps the
best of former license management systems, while adding
new features to improve
ease-of-use and long-term maintainability.
If you are new to software licensing and software
license managers, some of the basic concepts are described
here.
RLM architecture
The basic architecture of RLM is similar to older
license managers. Your application is linked with a client library
which provides access to the license management functions. There is also a
license server which is used for floating licenses and logging of
usage data. Both components are controlled by license authorizations stored in a
text file called the license file. While similar in structure,
the philosophy of RLM is to preserve the simplicity of the system for both ISVs
and end-users by avoiding all unnecessary options in the client library and the
license servers and moving all these options to the license file, where they are
visible and understandable by everyone. This avoids the kinds of mysterious
behavior that plagues both end-users and ISV support departments in excessively
complex license management products.
We took the lessons learned developing and
supporting FLEXlm to help us design a much simpler, yet ultimately more
expandable (and yes, flexible) system. We also left out many features
from older license managers that are now obsolete - in order to simplify the
learning curve and increase ease of installation and use.
The main themes of RLM are
openness,
simplicity and value.
Openness
because of
our well-documented report file formats and the willingness and encouragement
to work with third party report writer providers.
Simplicity because RLM provides the licensing tools that 90% of
the ISV community needs, without the unnecessary baggage and complexity of older
license managers. This results in easier integration for the ISV and a better
end-user experience.
Value because both ISVs and end-users will benefit from lower
initial cost, and lower cost of ownership, long term. |
Advantages of RLM
For ISVS:
Feature
|
Benefit
|
|
Extremely
simple API. |
Faster
integration, easier maintenance. No "emergency" code fixes to update
license policy. |
|
Transparent
License Policy™ - No API functions or data compiled into application
programs or license servers to hide licensing policy. |
Old
applications will be able to benefit from new license management
features without change, simply by shipping a new license and license
server. |
|
Transparent
connection to multiple license servers for several licenses. |
No more
fumbling around with multiple license jobs and several checkout attempts
- making your development easier, and your implementation completely
standard. |
|
Integrated
Web Server in License Server |
No need to
ship or license additional products for server administration. |
|
Internet Activation |
Reduce Costs and Improve Customer Satisfaction |
For end-users:
Feature
|
Benefit
|
|
Transparent
License Policy™ - No API functions or data compiled into application
programs or license servers to hide licensing policy. |
No more
wondering how the license for a particular product will work - it is
completely described in the license, period. |
|
Automatic
checkout of node-locked, uncounted license before any floating license. |
You don't
need to re-order licenses and license files to optimize license
utilization. |
|
OpenUsage™ -
Fully-documented report log format. |
Multiple
sources (Including in-house) for reporting tools. |
|
Familiar license
administration model. Restrict access to administration interface. |
No need for
extensive re-training of license administrators. |
|
Integrated Web Server in
License Server |
Management of
license servers from any browser - no need to license or install
additional products to administer servers. |
|
License Server
Performance Measurement Tools |
Optimizes Server Resources |
