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Definitions of Features, Products, Memory, and License Models

This section describes Features, Products, Memory, and License Models.

Features

Each functional component in your software application can be independently controlled by a license. In Sentinel EMS, a component is referred to as a Feature. A Feature may be an entire application, a module, or a specific functionality such as Print, Save, or Draw.

After one or more Features have been defined, they can be added to a Product that you can sell as one of your software items. A Feature can be added either to an LDK Product or a Cloud Product.

Products

A collection of one or more licensed Features that can be sold as an item is referred to as a Product. A Product can be from any of the following two types:

• LDK Product
• Cloud Product

You can have a common pool of Features in a Batch Code in both Sentinel LDK and Cloud Products.

Products can differ from each other, both in the Features that they contain, and also in the license terms specified for each Feature. You can control the specific Products you define, the Features they include, and the license terms assigned to each Feature in each Product.

Typically, this function is performed by the product manager, and implemented by the software engineer. The implementation scenario can be one of the following:

• You create a common product with all the related Features bundled. The order taker can switch on/off products while producing the order. The Features in the product can be controlled without changing its code by different license models.
• You can define a number of products with combination of different Features by understanding the market requirements and keep them ready for order.

Memory

Memory is a functional component that can be added to a product. You can define segments in memory according to your requirements, and select different colors for the segments to make it easy to identify them. After you have defined a memory segment, you can enter data into the segment.

In Sentinel EMS, you can create the following type of memories:

• Dynamic Memory: Dynamic memory is significantly larger than the default memory. However, dynamic memory space is shared between dynamic memory files (the space available to you for your applications, similar to default memory files) and license data (Features and Product). All space that is not utilized for license data can be used for dynamic memory files. Dynamic memory can be divided into dynamic memory files.
• Default Memory: Default memory is smaller in size and is used to define segments in memory according to your requirements. Default memory defined is specific to a Product for which it is defined.

License Models

An important step in the development of a licensing strategy is the preparation of a licensing plan. Business decision makers in an organization, such as product or marketing managers, define protection and business rules, and specify the license models required to meet the company’s software distribution needs.

A license model is the logic behind a business transaction relating to licensing. For example, a rental license model enables you to charge for the use of software for a specific period of time. License models constitute various parameters (attributes) that define how a Product can be used by the end user.

You can configure usage terms to meet your company’s individual requirements. Sentinel EMS enables you to choose from a variety of built-in license models. For LDK Products, you can specify license terms from the available Sentinel LDK License Models and for Cloud Product you can specify license terms from the available Cloud License Models.

Sentinel LDK License Models

1. Perpetual—The license can be used an unlimited number of times for an unlimited period of time.
2. Expiration Date—Specifies the date on which the license expires.
3. Execution Count—Specifies the maximum number of times that the Feature can be used.
4. Time Period—Specifies the number of days until the license expires, from the date of first use.
5. Unlocked—Specifies that the license can be used as a trial license. This license model is available only for Unlocked Products.

These license models comprise license attributes, which belong to the following categories:

1. Concurrency
2. License Terms
3. Accessibility

Cloud License Models

• Subscription—Specifies that the license to use the product is valid for a specified duration (for example, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year).
• Postpaid—Specifies that the license to use the product is valid for a specified duration, but the billing can be done based on the usage model, which can either be Time Based or Count Based.
• Prepaid—Specifies a limit on the maximum number of times a license can be used, in addition to license validity.
• Concurrent—It is a subscription-based license model in which there is a limit on the concurrent use of a Feature. You can specify the number of concurrent instances allowed for a feature, and select how concurrent instances are counted.