FS Auth - Freedom Scientific product license formats and types available
Problem
A prospective customer is considering a Freedom Scientific product and wishes to know about what forms the product license is supplied in and the different types of license available.
Applies to
• JAWS
• ZoomText
• Fusion
• ZoomText
• Fusion
Resolution
Below are details of the different types and formats of software licenses for Freedom Scientific products JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion.
Non-commercial and Professional licenses
Since 2016 Freedom Scientific products have two major tiers of license generally available. For home user customers there is a non-commercial license. For customers who use JAWS in connection with their employment or where JAWS is otherwise used in an organisational environment a Professional license is required. Other than this the licenses are functionally the same.
| Tier | Suitable for |
|---|---|
| Non-commercial | Sometimes referred to as Home license a non-commercial license can be used by anyone in a home/domestic non-commercial setting. |
| Professional | The Professional license is considered apropriate for anyone using JAWS in a business or other organisational setting. |
Within each license tier there are different license types and forms. The table below provides information about how these present to the license holder.
| License Type | Format | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Single user | 1 x ILM code or USB dongle | 1 ILM code (3 activations) or dongle as substitute shown as “single user” on online ILM report. |
| Multi-user Non-Network | An ILM code or dongles per seat | 1 ILM code per seat, shown as “Multiuser Non-network” |
| Sentinel Network | 1 x ILM network code | Purchased in blocks of 5 seats. Dongle authorisation not available for Network licenses. |
| Home/Education Annual License | Not available in UK |
License formats
The below table describes the different license formats offered to cater for specific needs. The USB dongle license shown below is a physical version of the license that maybe used between any number of computers the user may need to access but the dongle must be present at all times whilst the software is being used.
| Type | Format |
|---|---|
| ILM | Internet License Manager (ILM) format is provided as a 20 digit alpha numeric product key (a serial number is provided for means of identification. This license type is recommended for most users. |
| USB Dongle | A USB dongle containing a portable version of the product license. Although the USB dongle looks like a memory drive the dongle does not contain any usable software on it. It does however require drivers which are included with the JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion product installation software. When plugged in these will be installed. |
| Network | A Network License comes as a single 20 digit code that acts as a product key. When used with the Sentinel Network License software provides a license available to networked client computers within a private network. These are generally supplied in blocks of 5 plus users. |
Important!
- Please be aware that a Network license is not usually suitable for a machine that may spend time away out of reach of the network such as a laptop at work or school but get taken home. A Non-Network license is more suitable and provides authorised wherever it is needed.
- There are occasionally some network environments that may be judged too complex to easily accommodate a network license. A Non-Network license may be preferable and it is advisable to specify this when ordering a multi-user product. An example is where many VLANs are used.
Installation/deployment
• ILM: Authorise the Freedom Scientific product using the ILM activation wizard for Single User and Non-Network formats for an individual PC.
• USB Dongle: Product must be installed prior to attempting to use the dongle specific drivers are required that are supplied as part of the product for use on a single PC.
• Network: Freedom Scientific Sentinel Software supported only. Must be installed on a computer all computers can see on a single network. For use with many client PCs on the same network.
License Upgrades
All product licenses can be upgraded to the next major and future release as a chargeable upgrade. The table below describes what happens to upgrade a user license. When referring to ILM products this includes all single user, multi-user and network license types.
| Type | Action when license upgraded |
|---|---|
| ILM |
|
| Dongle |
|
License Removal
The table below describes what action is required to remove a license.
| Type | Removal Action |
|---|---|
| ILM | The ILM authorisation can be removed from the computer using the Remove [product] Authorisation link within the “Utilities” group in the start menu. After running the app click "Yes" to confirm removal. |
| Dongle | Physically remove the USB dongle from the computer after closing the Freedom Scientific product has been closed down or when the PC/laptop has been fully shut down. |
Important
- Due to technical limitations of ILM license system, used product activations cannot be returned to the activation system. Therefore it may be necessary to check the license count by visiting the site on this link and supplying the serial number to get a report:
https://fsactivate.freedomscientific.com/Activation/VerifyActivationKeys - If the count is shown as 0 please contact Sight & Sound Technical product on 01604 798 000 or email support@sightandsound.co.uk for assistance with information about your license.
ILM license conversion (Network licenses only)
- An existing network license must be available to convert.
- A Network license may be converted into equivalent number of Non-Network seats upon request. A charge may be made for the conversion. Contact Sight & Sound Technical Support on 01604 798 000 or email support@sightandsound.co.uk for further assistance with your license info.
- A Non-Network license may be converted to Network license. As above a charge may be made for conversion of the licensee.
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