Licensing for large site

[MarkTYoung]

I hear good things about this tool, but I wonder how well the licensing/installation model works for a large organzation/site.

Can anyone tell me how the licensing/installation works for a large site?  I'd like to know how you do the installs on user's machines (can you do it over the network), and how you setup the licensing for each machine.  Do you have to physically go to each machine that is being installed to enter a license key?

Thanks!

Mark T. Young

[Tjerk]

Hi Mark,

I've recently (one week ago) discussed this with the Sparx team and they are working on the licensing model. Next to that Sparx is willing to discuss your situation (which might be very specific) for unattended installations.

F.y.i.: the full installs are based on self exploding MSI installations.

Greetings,
Tjerk

[Bruno.Cossi]

Hi Mark,

Tjerk has already answered, I might just add that I often see companies using some kind of remote administration software (e.g. PC Anywhere) even for EA installation and configuration. Perhaps that would help?

Bruno

[thomaskilian]

Another possible solution (haven't tried but should work): Install EA on a network drive with one license key. Purchase additionial keys as needed and keep them save with the admin.

[AdamHearn]

EA is provided as an MSI with a stub loader that sorts out the Windows Installer dependencies (I wish they would just ship the MSI which would cut the download size by quite a bit!).

Anyways, you'll find a copy of the actual MSI in:
%CommonProgramFiles%\Wise Installation Wizard
The MSI file for 730 is: WISCC98E8B3FAAA4D09A813A44C9FA1A3EE_4_10_730.MSI

You (or your IT dept) could then create a tranform (MST) which is applied to the MSI on installation (just think of an MST as like an answer sequence). As it's a standard MSI there are many tools/services out there that will facilitate remote installations (SMS, group policy in AD, etc.). If you want to discuss this further then just shout.

I don't remember off hand but I don't think the license key is required during installation It's been a long time since I installed a fresh copy! From memory I seem to remember the 1st thing that EA does is ask for a serial key. The serial key data is processed and ends up in a file (key.dat) in the EA installation directory.

Best of luck!

[MarkTYoung]

EA is provided as an MSI with a stub loader that sorts out the Windows Installer dependencies (I wish they would just ship the MSI which would cut the download size by quite a bit!).

Anyways, you'll find a copy of the actual MSI in:
%CommonProgramFiles%\Wise Installation Wizard
The MSI file for 730 is: WISCC98E8B3FAAA4D09A813A44C9FA1A3EE_4_10_730.MSI

You (or your IT dept) could then create a tranform (MST) which is applied to the MSI on installation (just think of an MST as like an answer sequence). As it's a standard MSI there are many tools/services out there that will facilitate remote installations (SMS, group policy in AD, etc.). If you want to discuss this further then just shout.

I don't remember off hand but I don't think the license key is required during installation It's been a long time since I installed a fresh copy! From memory I seem to remember the 1st thing that EA does is ask for a serial key. The serial key data is processed and ends up in a file (key.dat) in the EA installation directory.

Best of luck!

Thanks to all.

So if we were to put the msi/mst in a networked location, we should be able to run the install with admin rights remotely from a central location I guess.

And we'd have to give out license keys to our users as they use the tool for the first time.

If I've got that all right, it sounds workable.

Thanks,

Mark T. Young

[TomO]

Hey Mark,

If you would like specific License information for your site, send an e-mail request through to [email protected] detailing your situation. They will be able to provide you with up to date procedures and prices for the licenses.

All the best,

Tom O'Reilly
Sparx Systems