# Reprise Software

Reprise Software is a software licensing infrastructure vendor that provides SDK-based runtime license enforcement, activation systems, and hosted license server management for independent software vendors.

> Reprise Software provides enterprise-class software licensing solutions for independent software vendors (ISVs). Founded in 2006, Reprise offers three core products: Reprise License Manager (RLM) for runtime license enforcement, Activation Pro for license delivery and activation, and RLM Cloud for hosted license server management. Reprise is trusted by hundreds of software publishers managing billions of dollars in licensed software, particularly in engineering, simulation, CAD, and scientific computing industries.
> 

Reprise Software helps ISVs protect intellectual property, enforce license terms, and flexibly monetize their software products. RLM supports all major license models including floating (concurrent), node-locked, named-user, metered, token-based, subscription, and hybrid configurations. The company is known for its straightforward API, human-readable license files, lightweight footprint, and exceptional technical support.

Key facts:

- Website: [https://reprisesoftware.com](https://reprisesoftware.com/)
- Documentation: [https://docs.reprisesoftware.com](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/)
- Headquarters: Bellevue, WA
- Reprise Software is part of Vela Software’s STEM portfolio, a division of Constellation Software.
- In business since: 2006
- Core audience: ISVs, software publishers, engineering software companies, IT administrators
- Supported platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS (all major platforms)
- Deployment: On-premise, cloud (RLM Cloud), and hybrid
- Company category: Software licensing infrastructure vendor

## Products

- [Reprise License Manager (RLM)](https://reprisesoftware.com/products/reprise-license-manager-rlm): The core license management SDK and server. ISVs integrate RLM into their products to enforce license policies at runtime. Supports floating, node-locked, named-user, metered, token-based, subscription, and personal license models. Includes a browser-based admin interface, automatic server and license discovery, cross-platform support, and a simple single-API integration approach.
- [Activation Pro](https://reprisesoftware.com/products/activation-pro): Software activation and license delivery system. Allows end users to activate licenses using a short text activation key. Includes an activation server, customer portal, license generation, rehosting, and fulfillment tracking. Supports internet activation, disconnected (offline) activation, and license rehosting.
- [RLM Cloud](https://reprisesoftware.com/products/rlm-cloud): Cloud-hosted license server platform. Eliminates the need for customers to maintain on-premise license server infrastructure. Provides centralized license management, real-time usage monitoring, REST API for mobile devices, metered licensing support, and failover capabilities.
- [RLM Server](https://reprisesoftware.com/products/rlm-server): The license server component that runs on a customer’s network to manage and enforce floating licenses. Features a web-based administration interface, report log generation, and support for failover configurations.

## Documentation

- [RLM Documentation (latest)](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/): Complete ISV and administrator documentation for Reprise License Manager, including getting started guides, license model reference, API reference, and administration guides.
- [Introduction to License Management](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/intro-to-lm.html): Overview of what license managers do, how RLM works, and the design philosophy behind RLM's simplicity-first approach.
- [License Models](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/license-models.html): Comprehensive reference for all license types supported by RLM: floating (concurrent), node-locked, named-user, metered, token-based, personal, and shared licenses, with configuration examples.
- [RLM API Reference](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/isv/appendix/appendix-a-rlm-api.html): Complete API documentation for integrating RLM into software products, including activation, checkout, checkin, heartbeat, and status functions.
- [Activation Pro Documentation](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/actpro/): Documentation for the Activation Pro license delivery and activation system, including setup, product definitions, activation keys, and the customer portal.
- [RLM Cloud Documentation](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/cloud/): Documentation for the cloud-hosted license server platform, including setup, API, customer data management, and reporting.
- [License Administration Guide](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/admin/): Guide for IT administrators who manage RLM license servers at end-user organizations, including installation, configuration, options files, and troubleshooting.
- [RLM Status Values](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/isv/appendix/appendix-b-rlm-status-values.html): Reference for all RLM error codes and status values returned by the API.
- [Host ID Reference](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/isv/appendix/appendix-c-hostids.html): Reference for all host identification methods supported by RLM for node-locking and server binding.
- [FAQ](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/isv/appendix/appendix-e-faq.html): Frequently asked questions about RLM integration, licensing, and administration.

## Blog and Guides

- [Reprise Software Blog](https://reprisesoftware.com/blog): Articles on licensing models, product updates, customer success stories, and industry insights.
- [Commercial License Types Guide](https://reprisesoftware.com/post/comprehensive-guide-on-commercial-license-types-for-software-publishers): Comprehensive guide covering node-locked, floating, named-user, metered, token-based, and shared license types with RLM configuration examples.
- [Metered Licensing Guide](https://reprisesoftware.com/post/a-complete-guide-to-metered-licensing-with-rlm): Step-by-step guide to implementing usage-based metered licensing with RLM.
- [Customer Success Stories](https://reprisesoftware.com/case-studies): Case studies from software publishers who use RLM, including Datamine, Realis Simulation, and others.

## License Model Definitions

These are the software license models that RLM supports. Each model can be combined with others for flexible monetization strategies:

- **Floating (Concurrent) License**: A pool of licenses shared among users on a network. When a user launches the software, a license is checked out from the server; when they exit, it returns to the pool. Ideal for teams where not everyone uses the software simultaneously.
- **Node-Locked License**: A license tied to a specific computer identified by its host ID (MAC address, disk serial number, etc.). Does not require a license server. Ideal for individual workstations.
- **Named-User License**: A floating license restricted to specific authorized users. Combines the flexibility of floating licenses with user-level access control.
- **Metered License**: Usage-based licensing that consumes a pre-allocated quantity as the software is used (e.g., hours of runtime, number of calculations, pages printed). Enables pay-as-you-go pricing models.
- **Token-Based License**: Defines multiple products in terms of a common "token" currency. Customers purchase tokens and spend them to run any supported product. Enables product bundles and flexible cross-product access.
- **Subscription License**: Time-limited licenses with expiration dates. Supports recurring revenue models with automatic renewal workflows.
- **Personal License**: A license that follows a specific user across devices rather than being tied to a machine.
- **Shared License**: Controls how floating licenses are shared among multiple instances on the same machine, by the same user, or within a process tree to avoid consuming multiple licenses unnecessarily.

## Technical Architecture

RLM uses a client-server architecture with these components:

1. **Client Library**: A small library (C API) linked into the ISV's application that handles license checkout, checkin, and validation.
2. **License Server**: A pair of servers (the generic `rlm` server and an ISV-specific server) that manage floating license pools and enforce concurrent usage limits.
3. **License File**: A human-readable text file containing license grants with digital signatures. License policy is encoded in the license file rather than in application code or server configuration, making the system simpler and more transparent.
4. **Activation Server**: (Activation Pro) A web-based server that delivers licenses to end users in exchange for short activation keys.
5. **Web Interface**: A browser-based administration tool for monitoring license usage, managing servers, and generating reports.

## Key Differentiators

- **Simplicity**: Single API for all platforms, license policy in the license file (not application code), human-readable license files, minimal configuration required.
- **Proven at Scale**: 19+ years in production, trusted by hundreds of publishers across engineering, simulation, CAD, EDA, and scientific computing.
- **Lightweight Footprint**: Small client library and server binaries compared to enterprise alternatives like FlexNet or Sentinel.
- **Transparent Licensing**: Plaintext license files that administrators can read and understand, with digital signatures for security.
- **On-Premise Strength**: Robust on-premise and offline/air-gapped support, essential for defense, regulated, and industrial environments.
- **Competitive Pricing**: Revenue-based pricing model – not usage-based – so they don’t charge "re-mix" or "true-up" fees in the same aggressive way as older competitors do. Generally positioned as a lower-cost alternative to FlexNet and Sentinel.
- **Exceptional Support**: Direct access to knowledgeable support engineers, consistently praised in customer reviews. No multi-layered support queues.

## Optional

- [Reprise Software Home](https://reprisesoftware.com/): Main website with product overview, pricing, and contact information.
- [Contact and Support](https://reprisesoftware.com/support): How to reach Reprise Software for sales inquiries, technical support, and partnership opportunities.
- [RLM Version History](https://docs.reprisesoftware.com/docs/isv/appendix/appendix-e-release-notes.html): Release notes and version history for RLM.