Leverage concurrent licensing to streamline user access, control costs, and protect your intellectual property with Reprise Software.

Introduction: The Power of Concurrent Licensing

When you sell software to multiple users, concurrent licensing can be a game-changer. Instead of granting each user a dedicated license, a concurrent license lets you allocate a set number of seats (or sessions) that multiple end-users share. Only that specified number of users may run the software at the same time.

Why It Matters for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs):

• Cost-Effective for Your Customers: They don’t need to buy a license for every potential user—just enough seats for the expected concurrent usage.
• Revenue Protection for You: By carefully managing concurrent “checkouts,” you ensure customers never exceed the number of licenses purchased.
• Flexible for Varying Demand: If some users log out, others can log in without requiring extra purchases.

When combined with Reprise License Manager (RLM) and RLM Cloud, concurrent licensing transforms into a seamless, revenue-enforcing model that also keeps your customers satisfied.

How Concurrent Licensing Works

1. License Pool
   You, the publisher, provide a total pool of concurrent licenses. Let’s say a customer purchases a package of 20 seats.
2. Check-In / Check-Out
   • Check-Out: Each time a user launches your software, RLM checks if an available seat exists. If yes, the system “checks out” a seat and grants usage.
   • Check-In: When that user exits, the license is returned to the pool for the next person to use.
3. Max Capacity
   If all 20 seats are in use, the 21st user attempting to open the software will be denied or queued until a seat becomes free.

Why RLM Stands Out

• Real-Time Monitoring: RLM or RLM Cloud tracks seat usage, preventing overuse.
• Dynamic Enforcement: Instantly reclaims seats when users exit, so the license pool is always up to date.
• Cross-Platform: Works across Windows, Linux, macOS—helpful if your product spans multiple operating systems.

Benefits of Concurrent Licenses for Software Publishers

1. Cost Efficiency for Customers—and You

• Right-Sized Purchasing: Customers buy as many concurrent seats as they need rather than an individual license for every user.
• Reduced Pushback: Because they see direct cost savings, customers are more likely to adopt or expand a concurrent license pool.
• Predictable Revenue: You set the price per seat; customers can scale up when their usage grows.

2. Flexibility and Scalability

• Easy to Expand: Customers can quickly increase the pool if they notice frequent “license full” events.
• Usage Insights: RLM’s monitoring tools provide real-time concurrency data, guiding customers to upgrade proactively.

3. Streamlined License Administration

• Single Pool: Instead of juggling many individual keys, your customer manages one pool of 10, 20, or 100 seats.
• Automated Processes: Self-check-in/out ensures minimal administrative hassle; no IT intervention required for each login.

Note for Publishers: This model is especially popular for design, engineering, or analytics tools, where not every user needs constant access. It’s a win-win: cost-effective for end-users and protective of your revenue.

Concurrent License Models: Floating vs. Token-Based

Though “concurrent license” is often used interchangeably with “floating license,” let’s clarify two common sub-models:

1. Floating Licenses (“Shared Seats”)

• Mechanism: You allocate a certain number of floating seats. Each seat is shared among all users, but only the configured maximum can run the software concurrently.
• Best For: Environments where usage patterns vary and each seat has the same “value” (e.g., one seat = one user session).

2. Token-Based Licensing

• Mechanism: Users consume tokens each time they run specific modules or features. Different features can cost different token amounts.
• Best For: Complex product suites or multi-application setups, where you want to manage usage at a granular feature level.
• RLM Advantage: Reprise License Manager supports both traditional floating seats and more advanced token-based scenarios.

Implementing Concurrent Licensing with Reprise Software

1. Deploy Reprise License Manager (RLM)

• Embedded Enforcement: RLM libraries integrate directly into your software, validating each seat checkout when users launch or switch modules.
• Flexible Configuration: Define how many seats a customer owns, set durations for idle time, or allow a certain grace period when a user abruptly disconnects.

2. Use RLM Cloud for Easy Hosting

If you don’t want to maintain your own license servers on-premises:

• Hosted License Pool: RLM Cloud maintains real-time seat counts in the cloud, accessible from anywhere.
• Immediate Visibility: Publishers (you) can log in to see exactly how many licenses are in use at any moment.
• No IT Overhead: Customers don’t have to install or manage a local server.

3. Automate with Activation Pro

• Automated Key Generation: When a customer purchases 20 seats, Activation Pro instantly creates a license record for them in RLM.
• Renewals & Upgrades: Renew or add concurrent seats with a few clicks—no manual re-licensing needed.

Best Practices for Concurrent License Management

1. Monitor Regularly

• Real-Time Dashboard: Check usage data via RLM to see peak usage times or whether customers routinely max out their seat limit.
• Usage Reports: Analyze concurrency logs monthly or quarterly to identify potential upsell opportunities.

2. Train Customers to Manage Seats Responsibly

• Encourage Logouts: Remind end-users to exit software after they finish work, freeing seats.
• Set Idle Timeouts: Auto-release seats if no activity is detected for a configured period.

3. Scale Dynamically

• Threshold Alerts: Configure notifications when seat usage hits, say, 90% capacity—helping customers proactively buy more seats.
• Gradual Expansions: Let customers add seats in small increments, lowering purchase friction and boosting your recurring revenue.

Comparing Concurrent Licenses with Other Models

Publisher Tip: Concurrent licensing excels when multiple users share the same software but only a fraction are active at once. If every user needs daily, always-on access, a named-user or subscription approach might yield higher revenue.

Real-World Scenarios

• Engineering/CAD Tools: 100 employees in a firm, but only ~30 use the software at any given moment. A 30-seat concurrent license is perfect.
• Data Analytics Suites: A team of data scientists might only need to access specialized modules occasionally; floating tokens allow flexible usage among them.
• SaaS with Offline Options: Even if your product is cloud-based, certain industries require offline usage. A local RLM server can handle seat checkout offline.

Conclusion: Harness Concurrent Licensing for Efficiency & Growth

Concurrent licensing is an ideal model for ISVs aiming to deliver flexibility to customers while ensuring they only consume the seats they’ve paid for. When powered by Reprise License Manager, you gain:

1. Robust, Real-Time Enforcement: No risk of seat overuse or revenue leakage.
2. Scalable Cloud Options: Use RLM Cloud to avoid the hassle of hosting your own server.
3. Automated Workflows: Activation Pro simplifies key generation, renewals, and expansions.

Result? Customers enjoy the cost savings and convenience of a shared license pool, while you, the publisher, maintain full control and visibility. It’s the perfect balance of customer satisfaction and revenue assurance.

Explore Reprise Software’s Solutions

• Reprise License Manager (RLM)
  The core engine that supports concurrent licenses, usage-based licensing, and more.
• RLM Cloud
  Offload license server infrastructure to Reprise’s secure cloud, offering real-time dashboards and straightforward administration.
• Activation Pro
  Automate license key creation, distribution, and renewals—turning your license management into a smooth, scalable workflow.

By adopting concurrent licensing with Reprise, you future-proof your monetization strategy and free up your internal teams to focus on building great software, not policing seat usage. Embrace the model that lets you scale your business confidently—and keeps your customers happy and compliant.