JP2002132370A - System and method for managing license and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time needed to acquire a software license and to prevent a license expiry and business delay and stop. SOLUTION: A client terminal 1 preliminarily notifies the terminal server 3 of a maker side of having intention of continuing a license, 'continuity' and a desired license distribution date. The terminal server 3 immediately arranges a new license file for the 'continuity' and distributes the license file to the terminal 1 when the planning period of the next period license arrives on the basis of the desired license distribution date set by the terminal 1. The terminal 1 installs the new license file distributed from the server 3 and continuously uses the software.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a license management system, a license management method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when software such as CAD is used in a computer, a computer on which the software and license are placed is called a host (server).
The terminal that connects to this and uses these software is called the client. Software licenses are distributed from manufacturers according to contracts. In an organization having a plurality of users, a representative window often makes a contract with a software maker. In this case, the use of software can be operated at a lower cost with a license contract scheme for a fixed period of time as compared with the purchase of software. Therefore, the latter scheme, that is, the license contract scheme, is often selected.

In the case of the license contract system, when the license expires, the client determines whether or not to continue using the software. If the license is to be used continuously, the client makes a software license continuation contract. On the maker side, as shown in FIG. 3, when planning is started (S1)
0), the next license is checked (S12). Next, a primary survey (S14) for creating a drafting sheet based on step S12 and confirming the cost burden, etc., and further reviewing the number of licenses based on the results of the primary survey cost burden, etc. 2
Repeat until the next check (S16) is OK. If both are OK, check the host ID (S18). If this is also OK, prepare a license with a new expiration date and distribute it to the client. (S20). Then, on the client side, the newly distributed license is installed in a terminal that uses the software (S22). As a result, the software (CAD or the like) can be continuously used, and business can be continuously performed (S24).

In general, the larger the organization, the larger the number of software used on the computer of the organization. If there are many people, servers, and computer terminals that use the software, purchase procedures,
It is complicated to exchange software licenses due to organization change or location change. To avoid this, in recent years,
A contract called FAM (Flexible Access License Mode) has been made.

[0005] For example, in CAD, an environment in which a certain amount of money is pooled in a certain organization by FAM, and various tools of software can be freely selected and used based on the pooled amount of money and under certain conditions. Is provided. In other words, instead of purchasing and maintaining software licenses individually, a specific license can be used within the organization for a certain period of time, up to the number of contracts.

As a feature of the FAM contract, there is a license contract for a limited period (for example, three years). The type and number of licenses can be changed according to the contract. Licenses can be shared and used between sites according to the contract. Change the license that is already used to FA
Can be converted to M. Non-license costs such as license transfer costs can be reduced. A large number of licenses can be used at low cost compared to purchase. Etc.

[0007]

According to the above-described FAM, the license can be used effectively and optimally, and the cost for environment maintenance and sharing can be easily set. The F
In AM, as described above, as the operation of a license generally used, planning → primary adjustment → secondary adjustment → host ID investigation setting → license issuance preparation (confirmation) at the manufacturer → license issuance procedure After that, the client acquires a new license.

However, in a large organization having a large number of licenses to be contracted, it may take about four months from the planning to the issuance and acquisition of the license. Therefore, due to procedural delays, the next license acquisition may not be in time for the expiration date of the currently used license. Further, even when a series of work of the license continuation contract is omitted or delayed, the distribution of the license is delayed or stopped. As a result, there arises a problem that work using the software is delayed or stopped.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a license management system, a license management method, and a recording medium that can shorten the time required for acquiring a software license and prevent the expiration of a license, and the delay or suspension of business. The purpose is to:

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a license management system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a server device that provides information that requires a license, a server device connected to the server device via a network, A license management system comprising at least one client device using information provided from a server device, wherein the server device stores at least a period during which the client device can use the information, and the client An available period updating unit for sequentially updating an available period stored in the storage unit based on a use period of the information by the device; and an available period updating unit stored in the storage unit and sequentially updated by the available period updating unit. New usage for the client terminal based on the available Characterized by comprising the arrange licensing arrangements means the license with a period.

As a preferred mode, in the license management system according to the first aspect, for example, the server device transmits the new usable period to the client terminal via the network. A distribution means for distributing a license having the following may be provided.

In a preferred aspect, in the license management system according to the first aspect, for example, the client device accesses the server device via the network to enable the new use. A license having a period may be acquired.

As a preferred mode, in the license management system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the license arranging unit determines that the information use period of the client device has not been reached.
A license having the new usable period may be arranged.

In a preferred embodiment, in the license management system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the client apparatus transmits the continuous use intention information of the information to the server in advance via the network. After registering in the device, the server device may arrange an available period having the new expiration date based on the intention to continue using the information.

In order to achieve the above object, a license management method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a license management method according to the invention, wherein the license required by at least one client device that uses a license required information provided by a server device via a network is used. A license management method for managing the client device, wherein when the client device uses the information provided by the server device, the client device newly transmits to the client terminal based on a usable period of the client device for the information. It is characterized by arranging a license having a long usable period.

In a preferred embodiment, for example, in the license management method according to the sixth aspect, the license having the new usable period is:
The information may be arranged before the usable period of the information in the client device is reached.

In a preferred aspect, in the license management method according to the present invention, the new usable period is set based on the information on the intention to continuously use the information by the client device. You may arrange for a license to use.

In order to achieve the above object, a machine readable recording medium according to the present invention is provided when at least one client device uses information which requires a license provided by a server device via a network. In addition, a program having a function of arranging a license having a new usable period for the client terminal based on a usable period of the information of the client device is recorded.

In the present invention, the usable period updating means includes:
The usable period stored in the storage unit is sequentially updated based on a period of use of the information by the client device. The license arranging unit arranges a license having a new available period for the client terminal based on the available period stored in the storage unit and sequentially updated by the available period updating unit. . Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for obtaining a software license. In addition, by arranging a license having a new expiration date before the expiration date of the information, the expiration of the license, and the delay or suspension of business can be prevented.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A. Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a license management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Client terminal 1
Is a client-side computer that enjoys license transactions. The relay server 2 is a computer that relays license transactions at an organization window or the like of the client terminal 1 for the purpose of unifying transaction windows and security. The terminal server 3 is a computer that provides a license transaction service to the client terminal 1 on the maker side.

The terminal server 3 includes an authentication server 3a for checking whether a license transaction is permitted, a license authentication database 3b, and a count server 3c. The authentication server 3a confirms whether or not a license transaction is possible based on the individual license information input from the client terminal 1. License authentication database 3b
Manages authentication data composed of license individual information of the client terminal 1 and a preset number of usable software units and a connection frequency indicating a license period in cooperation with the authentication server 3a. The count server 3c operates in conjunction with the license authentication database, and the connection use period (time, frequency) of the client terminal 1 is used.
Is calculated in accordance with, and the connection frequency is sequentially updated.

The client terminal 1, the relay server 2, and the terminal server 3 are connected via a network such as the Internet.

B. Next, an operation of the above-described embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a procedure until the next license is installed according to the embodiment of the present invention. The client terminal 1 notifies the terminal server 3 on the manufacturer side of "continuation" as default information in advance that there is an intention to continue the license (S30). This notification may be made via the relay server 2. In the default license continuation setting, a desired date for license distribution can be set.

A screen, such as a Web page, that can be browsed simultaneously by the terminal 1, the relay server 2, and the terminal server 3 is prepared, and when performing a procedure on the screen (registered mall), a client terminal is used. 1 searches for application software and determines application software on the related screen. At this time, the license or registration No. on the screen is displayed. By clicking, the details are displayed, and the registered contents can be printed out.

In the terminal server 3, based on the desired license distribution date set by the client terminal 1,
When it is time to formulate the next license (S32), it is determined based on the default information whether "continuation" is present or not (S34).

If there is "continuation", it is determined whether or not there is a change in the license content (S36). If there is no change in the license content, the content of "continuation" is confirmed (S3).
8). If there is no change in the license content and the "continuation" content is OK, a new license file for "continuation" is immediately arranged (S44). The new license file may be distributed by the terminal server 3 of the maker, or may be obtained by accessing the terminal server 3 of the maker from the client terminal 1 using a protocol such as FTP. .
In the client terminal 1, the maker's terminal server 3
Receives the license file distributed from the company, and then installs the license file (S4
6) Start using the software (S48).

If "continuation" is not registered as the default information ("absent" in S34), or if the license contents are changed (for example, the host ID is changed) ("S36"). Yes ”), and proceeds to a license check for handling a normal new license or content addition (S40). Then, the license file is distributed from the terminal server 3 on the manufacturer side (S42). Then, the client terminal 1 installs the license file (S46) and starts using the software (S48).

In the above-described embodiment, the settlement of the price is the order of the customer and the storage information is from the client terminal 1 → the relay server 2 → the terminal server 3, and the bill is the payment from the terminal server 3 → the relay server 2 → the client terminal 1. Is client terminal 1 → terminal server 3, and customer payment completion information is terminal server 3 → client terminal 1 and relay server 2.

Further, the above-mentioned screen includes a system for easily generating an electronic catalog corresponding to a software group having a wide variety of software in a license management system, and a license list (advertisement) search method according to a license acquisition history. Is also good.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the usable period updating unit sequentially updates the usable period stored in the storage unit based on the use period of the information by the client device. Based on the usable period stored in the storage unit by the license arranging unit and sequentially updated by the usable period updating unit,
Since a license having a new usable period is arranged for the client terminal, the time required for obtaining a software license can be reduced,
In addition, there is an advantage that the expiration of the license and the delay or suspension of the business can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the distribution means distributes the license having the new usable period to the client terminal via the network. The advantage is that the time required for obtaining a license can be shortened, and the expiration of the license, and the delay or suspension of business can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the client device accesses the server device via the network to obtain a license having the new usable period. The advantage is that the time required for acquiring a software license can be shortened, and the expiration of the license and the delay or suspension of business can be prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 4, the license arranging means arranges a license having the new usable period before the usable period of the information in the client device is reached. As a result, it is possible to shorten the time required for acquiring a software license, and also to prevent the expiration of a license, and the delay or suspension of business.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the client device transmits the continuous use intention information of the information.
Registered in advance in the server device via the network, the server device, based on the continuous use intention information of the information, to arrange a license having the new available period, software license The advantage is that the time required for acquisition can be shortened, and license expiration, business delay or suspension can be prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the license management for managing the validity of the license in at least one client device which uses the information required for the license provided by the server device via the network. A method wherein, when the client device utilizes information provided by the server device, the client device has a new available period for the client terminal based on an available period for the information of the client device. Since the license is arranged, the time required for acquiring the software license can be shortened, and furthermore, the expiration of the license, and the delay or suspension of the business can be prevented.

According to the present invention, the license having the new usable period is arranged before reaching the usable period of the information in the client device. The advantage is obtained that the time required for obtaining a license can be shortened, and that the expiration of the license and the delay or suspension of business can be prevented.

According to the invention described in claim 8, a license having the new usable period is arranged on the basis of the intention to continue using the information by the client device. The advantage is that the time required for obtaining a license can be shortened, and the expiration of the license, and the delay or suspension of business can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a license management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a series of procedures of a license contract method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a series of procedures of a conventional license contract method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Client terminal (client device) 2.
Relay server, 3 ... terminal server (server device, license arrangement means, distribution means), 3a ... authentication server,
3b: License authentication database (storage means), 3
c: Count server (usable period updating means)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A license management system comprising: a server device that provides information that requires a license; and at least one client device that is connected to the server device via a network and uses information provided by the server device. The server device includes: a storage unit that stores at least a usable period of the information by the client device; and a usable period stored in the storage unit based on a use period of the information by the client device. And a new available period for the client terminal based on the available period stored in the storage unit and sequentially updated by the available period updating unit. Licensing arrangement means for arranging a license. Sense management systems. 2. The license according to claim 1, wherein the server device includes a distribution unit that distributes a license having the new usable period to the client terminal via the network. Management system. 3. The license management system according to claim 1, wherein the client device accesses the server device via the network and acquires a license having the new usable period. 4. A license according to claim 1, wherein said license arranging means arranges a license having said new usable period before reaching a usable period of said information in said client device. License management system. 5. The client device registers, in advance, the continuous use intention information of the information in the server device via the network, and the server device performs the new use based on the continuous use intention information of the information. 2. The license management system according to claim 1, wherein a usable period having a long expiration date is arranged. 6. A license management method for managing the validity of a license in at least one client device that uses information requiring a license provided by a server device via a network, wherein the client device is configured to execute the When using information provided by a server device, a license having a new usable period is arranged for the client terminal based on a usable period of the client device for the information. License management method. 7. The license management method according to claim 6, wherein the license having the new usable period is arranged before the usable period of the information in the client device is reached. 8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: arranging a license having the new usable period based on the information on the intention to continue using the information by the client device.
License management method described. 9. When at least one client device uses information requiring a license provided by a server device via a network, the client terminal is used based on a usable period of the client device for the information. A machine-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program having a function of arranging a license having a new usable period.