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Demo version for potential customers ?

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    Demo version for potential customers ?

    Dear,

    How do I go about distributing a demo version for potential customers. I have the Runtime (5 licenses) but I want to distribute the application to about 20 customers with no expiration date. Only the number of features is limited (e.g. the number of records entered).

    Kind regards
    Steven

    #2
    Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

    Hello Steven,

    Try looking at the threads shown at the bottom of this page. I know some people check the amount of records in a table on the cansave event of a form and if it is over a designated amount cancel() the save.

    Geoff

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

      Hi Geoff,

      Thank you for replying. I guess the question was not really clear.

      I have the runtime for 5 licenses (which came with A5 Platinum when I bought the package). How can I distribute the application without breaking the license agreement when I have trial versions of the software ? The Run Time allows only for 5 installations but I need unlimited installations for the trial version of the application.

      I haven't played around with the runtime but I guess they need some kind of activation in order to make the software run on a PC.

      But maybe it works differently.

      Steven

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

        No idea.

        I know Alpha were offering a package with unlimited licenses for a very reasonable price a month or two back. It maybe worth contacting them to see if the deal is still available.

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

          Steven,

          Perhaps you should re-read the license agreement at (removed broken link)

          I think you are confusing a 5-user runtime with installing it 5 times. The 5-user refers to concurrent use on a network. You sound like you would like to distribute your demo to many different customers, not one with unlimited users.

          Bill
          Last edited by Lenny Forziati; 06-02-2023, 02:04 PM. Reason: removed broken link
          Bill Griffin
          Parkell, Inc

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

            I have a similar requirement but I would like my application within Alpha to cease running after a period, e.g. 30 days, unless I have been paid in which case I would give the client an activation code to permanently enable it. Any chance Alpha could make a developer version of their activation system available within the software?

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

              Roland,
              make a developer version of their activation system available within the software
              I would really doubt that they would do this--once you have incorporated an activation system on your demo applications are you going to provide them with the code behind it that explains how it works?

              I suppose its possible they would if it was completely tamperproof but don't think it would be that difficult to create your own....I think Cal Locklin may even have one for sale as an add-on if you wanted.

              You could add a request to the Wishlist Forum for a way to have this as a feature.
              Mike
              __________________________________________
              It is only when we forget all our learning that we begin to know.
              It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.
              Henry David Thoreau
              __________________________________________



              Comment


                #8
                Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                I don't see why I would need to provide them with the code that explains how it works. All I was suggesting was a function within A5 that would enable application layer developers to protect their interests in a similar way to that in which Alpha protects its own interests. Our client buys A5 from the Alpha Website, pays for it and activates it. So A5 works. I then sell an application layer product to them. I let it work for a few days (Alpha allows 45) and then die. When they pay for it the application layer gets activated permanently activated. Just needs a new function in A5 to let developers control their own products. I'll mention it on the wishlist.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                  Roland,
                  MikeC was alluding to why would Alpha provide us (customers) with their code for how their security activation system operates. I agree with Mike that an activation sequence should be not to difficult to produce. It sounds like my kind of challenge.....
                  Mike W
                  __________________________
                  "I rebel in at least small things to express to the world that I have not completely surrendered"

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                    No one is asking Alpha to supply us with their code. Of course they wouldn't let us have that. What I am asking for is a function to use within Alpha that would let an application layer developer lock the application layer until an activation code was granted. Lots of other software is sold with a similar function. Whilst it's relatively straightforward to write something but it would be handy to have it as a built-in function within Alpha since they claim A5 to be a developer's tool.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                      Check out Cal Locklin's Addin...

                      http://www.aimsdc.net/Tips_Funcs/aims_reg.htm

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                        the unlimited distribution license will let you do what you want.
                        Richard Rabins
                        Co Chairman
                        Alpha Software

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Demo version for potential customers ?

                          Here is more info on the unlimited distribution license


                          Distributing your desktop applications just got a whole lot easier!

                          With the new Alpha Five v9 Unlimited Distribution License, once you have built your application in Alpha Five v9 Platinum you can:
                          • Distribute your applications freely with no restrictions
                          • Make an unlimited number of copies of your application, including trial or demo copies
                          • Develop an unlimited number of applications (each with an unlimited number of copies)
                          • Thanks to all of you who completed our survey. (Yes, we really do take this stuff seriously!)


                          Your feedback told us that you felt that Alpha Five V9 was the ultimate tool for building web and desktop applications. You also told us that that you wanted a low cost, unrestricted and simple way to distribute an unlimited number of custom Alpha Five applications that you create.

                          As a result of your input, we are delighted to introduce the new Alpha Five v9 Unlimited Distribution License for deploying desktop applications.

                          For one low price � with the new Alpha Five v9 Unlimited Distribution License, you can distribute as many applications as you like - for as many people as you like. The people to whom you distribute your application do not need to have Alpha Five installed. (It's also ideal for creating demo or trial versions of your commercial software.)

                          The Unlimited Distribution License works for both SQL and non-SQL desktop applications. It does require that you first develop your application using a copy of Alpha Five V9 Platinum Edition. (If you already have Alpha Five V9 Standard, you can upgrade to V9 Platinum without having to modify anything.)






                          Features of the Unlimited Distribution License
                          1. Create as many applications as you need. Distribute as many copies as you need.
                          2. Works with both .DBF based and SQL based applications (such as SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, Postgres, Access and more)
                          3. Includes software for building your own custom installation program.
                          4. Restricts users from editing (and possibly breaking) your application.
                          5. Allows users to create and edit their own reports, labels and letters (if you wish to allow them).
                          6. Create your own custom splash screen that appears when the software starts
                          7. Everything you need to distribute your Alpha Five applications, without paying royalties to Alpha Software.
                          8. Ideal for creating demo or trial versions of your commercial software.




                          To get this license, Please call sales at: +1 781.229.4500 x1 or send an email to [email protected]

                          Q: I already own a V9 runtime/run-engine package - can I upgrade to the Unlimited Runtime Distribution license?
                          A: Yes. Please contact sales for pricing (see above).
                          Links of Interest
                          Richard Rabins
                          Co Chairman
                          Alpha Software

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