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How is TOP Server Licensed? Where can I read the EULA?
How is TOP Server licensed? Are there required annual fees for the license to keep running? Are there limits on # of tags, clients, or devices? Is this a subscription license?
TOP Server Licensing in Plain Terms!
At Software Toolbox, we believe in transparency and telling you how things work as part of earning your trust. In this answer, we explain the TOP Server licensing in plain terms. If you need or want read the full legal agreement, it's available for download.
TOP Server licenses are Perpetual Licenses. You own the license! You aren't paying an annual fee to use it!
This means you own the rights (license) to use the software and licensed drivers on a single computer and it will keep running without required payment of annual fees. You may see products which advertise prices significantly lower, but watch out, if it is a Subscription License, that means you have to pay an annual fee to keep using the software legally each year! TOP Server Licenses are NOT Subscription Licenses.
What if you need to run TOP Server on more than one computer?
You'll need a license of TOP Server for each production computer you plan to run TOP Server on, including Redundant Servers. Special pricing is available from your local distributor or Software Toolbox for Redundant Server licenses if bought at the same time as the main license. Volume licensing is available. If you work with one of our distributors contact them, otherwise you can contact us for assistance.
What is the annual Support & Maintenance fee then?
Every software developer has to continually invest to maintain operating system compatibility, improve and maintain cybersecurity to latest standards, support latest PLC/Device firmware and functions, and yes, those pesky bugs! On top of that, you expect to be able to call or email our support team and receive help from a knowledgeable person when changing configurations, moving licenses, re-unlocking licenses from failed systems, upgrading OS, etc. Access to those product upgrades and email or phone technical support is covered through Support and Maintenance. To ensure you get off to a great start we sell licenses to TOP Server and nearly all Software Toolbox Products with the first year of support and maintenance included in the prices shown on our website.
After the first year, you can renew your access to support and maintenance so that you continue to receive access to our technical support services and all product upgrades. Your license will keep operating regardless of whether you renew support or not. However, if your machine fails, and you need to reactivate your license, our support team can assist you if you have an active support & maintenance agreement. Users with lapsed support can contact us here regarding options for license recovery. If you are moving to a newer version, you will need an active support and maintenance agreement to be able to use your license on versions newer than whatever was current at the time of the support & maintenance expiration date. You don't have to renew, but it's highly recommended. Contact us for a quote on your renewal.
What about other limits on the licenses?
Standard TOP Server licenses DO NOT artificially limit you by license on number of tags or number of connected client applications.A client application is an HMI, SCADA, MES system, or other OPC client application that consumes the data TOP Server provides.There may be technical limitations for a single instance of TOP Server based on OS capability, your computer hardware, and your application performance requirements, but not by license. Please contact us to discuss your application technical requirements.
With the exception of a few TOP Server driver suites, there are not any license based limits on the number of devices the TOP Server can collect data from or write data to. If you do not see a device limit listed on the list of TOP Server drivers page, then there are not any license based device count limits. As stated before there might be practical technical limits, but they are usually in the 1000's of devices, possibly more. Please contact us to discuss your application technical requirements.
At this time, the following Driver Suites are available in limited device count and unlimited device count licenses as a means of serving users who have different price point and application size needs:
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