Success Story: Software Subscription powered by SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Last week the CFO of one of our largest customers contacted us to say "Thank
You".

I would like to share the following Success Story with you:

Our client released a brand new version of their software product in early
2006 and switched to a flexible software maintenance subscription model
(Subscription and Support Certificate). The initial installation process,
the web update (live update) functionality and subscription validation
process are completely powered by SetupBuilder 5.x Developer Edition. Their
Subscription and Support Certificate covers all updates and enhancements
made to the product during a period of three, six, or 12 month. If a new
major release is done within that period months, that will be covered as
well.

Result: our client increased the sales of new software licenses by 6% (this
is not related to our SetupBuilder technology). But they improved software
license upgrade (= subscription certificate) revenue by 70% and realized
over $500,000 in incremental revenue. This is a result of the new web
update and subscription technology powered by SetupBuilder 5.x Developer
Edition. They are achieving a 79% renewal rate for existing (three and six
month) Subscription and Support Certificates.

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5.5

[NewsArchive]

Nice success story Friedrich, congratulations. But how anyone using SB5 and
not using your web update and subscription technology is beyond me, I
wouldn't be without it now :)

Colin Wynn [Administer Software Ltd]

[NewsArchive]

Bravo Friedrich !

WorldWide software soon of the sale level of InstallShield or Wise etc ...!

Tell Sv ... <G> (maybe X'mas will come sooner then expected like this ...

JP

--

Thank you

Jean-Pierre GUTSATZ

Best Regards

[NewsArchive]

On 21 Aug 2006 06:56:02 -0400, friedrich linder wrote:

> I would like to share the following Success Story with you:

Excellent news Friedrich!

> Result: our client increased the sales of new software licenses by 6% (this
> is not related to our SetupBuilder technology). But they improved software
> license upgrade (= subscription certificate) revenue by 70% and realized
> over $500,000 in incremental revenue. This is a result of the new web
> update and subscription technology powered by SetupBuilder 5.x Developer
> Edition. They are achieving a 79% renewal rate for existing (three and six
> month) Subscription and Support Certificates.

Tell them that Andrea accepts donations!

;-)

Charles



--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Edmonds

www.clarionproseries.com - "Serious imaging tools for Clarion Developers"
www.ezround.com - "Round Corner HTML tables with matching Banners, Buttons
and Forms!"
www.lansrad.com - "Intelligent Solutions for Universal Problems"
www.fotokiss.com - "World's Best Auction Photo Editor"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[NewsArchive]

Hi,

Please keep doing what your doing and don't sell out to InstallShield. :-)

-Robert

[NewsArchive]

Ossum! You gotta like stories like that!

--
Russ Eggen
www.radfusion.com
IRC Info: www.radfusion.com/irc.htm
Freebies: www.radfusion.com/downloads.htm

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

>I would like to share the following Success Story with you:

Cool!:)

Best regards,

Arnór Baldvinsson
Icetips Software
San Antonio, Texas, USA
www.icetips.com


Subscribe to information from Icetips.com:
http://www.icetips.com/subscribe.php

[NewsArchive]

Hi Colin,

<G> Thank you :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

As a result of your description in the "success story" I have just been on
your Web-site and, as I read it, the Developer Edition allows me to:
1. Set up a Web site containing the latest version(s)
2. Put a template into my app and supply a small exe
3. When clicked-on by the user it will
a. check the validity of the request against my database
b. automatically go and look for the correct upgrade at my specified site.

And I don't have to do more than generate the upgrades, include the
template and maintain the database? Your system will do all the grunt-work
of comparing and checking versions, accessing the Web, validating licenses,
downloading, updating etc.

If this is all so, I am more than impressed!

Dermot

[NewsArchive]

Hi Dermot,

Thank you!

Yes, this is correct. But you don't have to include any template. A small
web update client (compiled from a SetupBuilder script) checks for updates
and, if available, downloads and installs the dynamic web update installer
package. One of the benefits of a dynamic web installer update package is
that it downloads only the data necessary for an installation.

BTW, the web installer update package handles subscription key verification,
not the web server! And if the subscription expired and the customer choose
not to renew the subscription, he/she will be able to continue to install
the versions, which were released prior to the subscription expiration, but
cannot install/update future versions. If the customer purchases a new
subscription, you only have to generate a new subscription key and send it
to the customer.

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Thank you, Jean-Pierre :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Hi Charles,

Thank you!

As you know, we are moving to the new home this coming Saturday <g> So *I*
need donations <g>!

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Hi Robert,

<BG> Okay :-)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

:-)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Hi Arnór,

Thanks :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

> But they improved software license upgrade (= subscription
> certificate) revenue by 70% and realized over $500,000 in incremental
> revenue.

Time to offer a new licensing model<bg>.

Congratulations on yet another success!

--

Dave



Clarion Magazine: http://www.clarionmag.com
In-depth Clarion articles, news, tips & tricks, printed books and e-books

Clarion blog: http://www.clarionmag.com/blog/
Personal blog: http://www.knobblegrud.com/

[NewsArchive]

<BG> Thank you, Dave! :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

I thought there was a template too before I started using the webupdate
feature.

Suggestion:
Could you supply a small DLL or LIB that could be called by our application
at startup and to check for a new version?
I know the WebUpdate.exe does, but I can't always get the users to click on
it.
Right now I've got another way of doing that, but it requires I maintain
version info in 2 places...

or do you have a suggestion for this?

Paul

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

Sounds like a few others could benefit from those scripts you sent me <g>.

--
Russ Eggen
www.radfusion.com
IRC Info: www.radfusion.com/irc.htm
Freebies: www.radfusion.com/downloads.htm

[NewsArchive]

Paul, why dont you 'RUN' WebUpdate.EXE from your app upon startup?

Colin Wynn [Administer Software Ltd]

[NewsArchive]

I think that would be too disruptive because they have to respond whether
there is a new version or not....

paul macfarlane

[NewsArchive]

I *thought* you can pass command line parameters to
WUpdate.Exe that checks to see if a new version is available and if so
prompts the user and if not then the user is completely unaware that
WUpdate.Exe was ran :)

And if not then maybe Friedrich could enhance the silent bit to include the
actual checking rather than just checking the iterval period between checks
:)

Colin Wynn [Administer Software Ltd]

[NewsArchive]

WOW

Dermot

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich ..

Awesome! It's inspiring to hear stories like this.

I've just been writing my own upgrade functionality, and tearing my hair out
a little. I like that SEtupBuilder's is separate from my app .. which is how
things should be :) heh heh, modularised.

Once I sell a few more I'll be purchasing your product (only have Clarion
PE, not EE).

Regards,

Stuart Andrews
http://www.devdawn.com

[NewsArchive]

> As you know, we are moving to the new home this coming Saturday <g> So *I*
> need donations <g>!

LOL - indeed.

If we were closer I'd come help (despite the fact that I consider moving
like self-dentistry).

As it is - you'll have to settle for moral support and encouragement!

;-)


Charles

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Edmonds

www.clarionproseries.com - "Serious imaging tools for Clarion Developers"
www.ezround.com - "Round Corner HTML tables with matching Banners, Buttons
and Forms!"
www.lansrad.com - "Intelligent Solutions for Universal Problems"
www.fotokiss.com - "World's Best Auction Photo Editor"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[NewsArchive]

Friedrich,

Congratulations once again to you and your crew! It won't be long before the
general computing public will be DEMANDING to have their software
installations delivered in SetupBuilder Style!

I still cringe every time I have to run an InstallShield and I think, for a
particular installation - this is a major company, with many resources, and
still they make me put up with a "resource hog"!

We all thank you for the courage, stamina, creativity, ingenuity,
intelligence, and amazing public relations/customer service skills you and
your company have displayed over the years, amidst I am sure adverse
conditions and calculated risks that few would venture to try and overcome.

David
--
From David Troxell - Product Scope 32 PRO - Encourager Software
Clarion Third Party Profile Exchange Online
http://encouragersoftware.com/profile/clarlinks.html
http://www.encouragersoftware.com/blog/
http://www.encouragersoftware.com/

[NewsArchive]

Russ,

Yes, absolutely :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Paul,

We are already working on major improvements in the web update and software
subscription area.

What you can do now without any problem is using RUN() and command line
parameters. For example, the following checks (silently) if an update is
available. It returns "1" if an update is ready to install.

Run('wupdate.exe /C /Q',1)
If RunCode() = 1
Message('There is a new update waiting to be downloaded.')
Run('wupdate.exe /F')
Halt() ! or whatever
End

We are playing with a new compiler feature to compile native Win32 DLLs.
The benefit of the current wupdate.exe model is that it is compiled from
a SetupScript (.sb5) project and all the source code is available. So
if you don't like the standard wupdate.exe behavior, change the wupdate.sb5
script and compile your own web update client version.

And the good thing is that you can run wupdate.exe from your application
("Check for Updates..." menu item), call it at startup, call it from a
Shortcut, etc.

But we are open for suggestions. More and more companies make use of the
web update feature and there is still much room for improvements.

Thanks,
Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Great, thank you Stuart!!! :)

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Thanks so much for your kind words, David!

Friedrich

[NewsArchive]

Hi friedrich,

> I would like to share the following Success Story with you:
>
> Our client released a brand new version of their software product in early
> 2006 and switched to a flexible software maintenance subscription model
> (Subscription and Support Certificate). The initial installation process,

This is great feature and very powerful. Trying to implement it for one of
our product but have been confused how to. Is there any step-by-step
instruction of how to implement Subscription and Maintenance feature for the
product (including developing initial setup file and subsequent versions
etc)? I have read chm manual and there are a few topics about it but no
full step-by-step concept.

Thank you!

[NewsArchive]

Thanks Friedrich....

It is a great feature already. I'll give the silent call a try.

Paul

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

Great to read about your continued success, Congratulations!
I just renewed my SetupBuilder Dev.Edition subscription, updated my SB to
latest build and have started the process of updating myself as well<g>
The SB55 is impressive, and I'm looking forward using it for all our new EDI
software.

It was real nice meeting you in Cambridge :-)

Regards
Viggo
MediLink Software

[NewsArchive]

Hello,

Please see documentation for the "Verify Subscription Key" script function
and for "Create Subscription Key".

What you have to do is:

1. Create a unique subscription key for your customer (e.g. based on a
serial number) using Tools|Create Subscription Key... We are working
on a solution to allow mass generation of subscription keys and
just-in-time subscription key generation.

2. In the installer, display Edit Data [Multiple-Line] dialog box so the
customer can paste his/her subscription key. Write subscription key
into the registry so the next update/install can look for it.

3. In the installer, use "Verify Subscription Key" script function to
validate subscription. If it's not valid (expired, wrong key, etc.)
terminate the installation.

That's it :)

Does this help?

Friedrich

Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Viggo,

It was a great pleasure to meet you in Cambridge :-)

Thank you so much for your kind words and for renewing your maintenance and
support subscription plan. We have many SetupBuilder improvements planned
for the coming 12 month! :)

Thanks again,
Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi Friedrich,

> Last week the CFO of one of our largest customers contacted us to say "Thank
> You".
>
> I would like to share the following Success Story with you:

This is awesome!

May I have your permission to re-post this in the AISIP newsgroups?


--
Sue Pichotta
Professional Icons ONLY $29.95 IN AUGUST http://www.icons-icons.com

[NewsArchive]

Hi Sue,

Thank you :)

And of course, you have my permission to re-post this in the AISIP
newsgroups!!

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5

[NewsArchive]

Hi friedrich,

> Please see documentation for the "Verify Subscription Key" script function
> and for "Create Subscription Key".
>
> What you have to do is:
>
> 1. Create a unique subscription key for your customer (e.g. based on a
> serial number) using Tools|Create Subscription Key... We are working
> on a solution to allow mass generation of subscription keys and
> just-in-time subscription key generation.
>
> 2. In the installer, display Edit Data [Multiple-Line] dialog box so the
> customer can paste his/her subscription key. Write subscription key
> into the registry so the next update/install can look for it.
>
> 3. In the installer, use "Verify Subscription Key" script function to
> validate subscription. If it's not valid (expired, wrong key, etc.)
> terminate the installation.
>
> That's it :)
>
> Does this help?

More or less <g>. BTW thank you for this tutorial and do you have some sb5
script that demonstrate all these in one setup? Each of steps above are very
complex and to easy to find right solution for it.

[NewsArchive]

We are working on White Papers to make this more clear! In fact, it only
takes less than two minutes to implement serial number protection and the
subscription verification!

Friedrich

--
Friedrich Linder
CEO, Lindersoft
www.lindersoft.com
+1.954.252.3910

"point. click. ship" - that's SetupBuilder 5