[WinMac] Re: KeyServer

Jim Pirie(pirie[at]cems.umn.edu)
Fri, 10 Sep 1999 10:48:07 -0500

I've been using KeyServer for about 5 years now. It's a great piece of
software for monitoring the use of shared licenses. For 3 years I ran it
on an old Mac SE, and for the last 2 on an LC III (for those who are
looking for ways to use that machine). The KeyServer software has not
crashed once in that time, although someone once did disconnect the SE from
the network accidently.

It will monitor PC as well as Mac program licenses. KeyServer enables you
to make a "keyed" version of a program, put that version on any number of
computers, and will then monitor the use of the keys to make sure that the
number of simultaneous uses does not exceed the number of licenses you have
purchased. However setting up a program to be monitored on a PC is much
more work than for the Mac. For Macs, you can actually set up the
software's install program to be governed by KeyServer, so that you can
just install the software as you would normally on a Mac and you will end
up with a "keyed" version.

You need to be careful with license agreements. Be sure to read them,
since not all software publishers allow this kind of sharing. Some, such
as Deneba (Canvas), Adobe (Photoshop), and others love KeyServer, and will
work with you to give you a license that works well with the KeyServer.
Their license in effect stipulates that you need one license for each
concurrently running program. Others do not allow sharing. Microsoft
specifically states that you must have a license for each machine on which
their software is installed, whether it is being used at the time or not.
Since KeyServer is reasonably priced, but is not what I would call
inexpensive. So you need to do some homework to determine how much money
you will save.

I should also add that the technical support I have received from Sassafras
over the years has been excellent. They are usually aware of specific
KeyServer related problems with any specific, and will help you with
solutions. The program itself is what I call "solid".

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jim Pirie Department of Chemical Engineering
                                         and Materials Science
Computer Systems Administrator University of Minnesota
Phone: 612-626-0712 421 Washington Ave, SE
Fax: 612-626-7246 Minneapolis, MN 55455

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