Maintenance of standard software products

FAQ – General

With product life cycles becoming increasingly short, it is crucial to keep your work equipment up-to-date. And this holds especially true for the technology development sector.

We therefore consistently update and improve our software programs. Our software is fully upward compatible and meanwhile reaches a life cycle of more than 10 years, our test rig software even more than 15 years.

Due to permanent maintenance our programs are among the most failsafe and stable software programs in the market. This is important for our clients, in particular in the test rig area, where our products are operated on a 24/7 basis.

Apart from functionality considerations, clients may also decide on installing new software versions when they change other, general conditions. This applies primarily if a new operating system, a new computer platform, or new measurement and control hardware is employed.

How do I get a new software version?

You may download a new installation of your major program version from our update server within two years after purchasing the software license.

This is also possible at a later time. After these two years, however, you will not be able to select and view new functionalities. New major versions are also excluded.

If you require new functions then, there are three solutions on offer:

  • You may purchase an update for the current program version;
  • you may purchase a subscription key for the duration of one year, i.e. the possibility for updating during that period of time;
  • or you may agree to a maintenance contract.

Comparison of maintenance options

Comparison of maintenance options

Service

Warranty

Without
main-
tenance

One-time
update

Sub-
scription

Contract

Bug fixing, also after warranty for the originally purchased major release has expired

yes yes yes yes yes

Download of debugged versions within the purchased major release

yes yes yes yes yes

Update to current version including major release

yes yes yes

Download of versions with new functions without major releases

yes yes yes

Download of versions with new functions with new major releases

yes yes

New version on a data medium twice a year, together with the relevant information, for clients in the EU

yes

Product maintenance up to 2 years after purchasing the successor product

yes yes

Telephone support on weekdays, Mondays to Fridays from 9 am to 4 pm CET

yes yes yes

Telephone support on weekdays, Mondays to Fridays from 7:30 am to 7 pm CET

yes

Optional: Access to deposited program code (software escrow) if software updates are discontinued

yes

 

A contract for subscription or maintenance is only possible within 2 years of purchasing the software license.

If the purchase was made more than 2 years ago, you will need to purchase an update for the license.

Software maintenance cycle

Software maintenance cycle

Sample calculation for an update

  • The software was purchased eight years ago
  • Maintenance subscription rate = 220 € / year
  • Basic Update Price = 220 €

In order to conclude the subscription contract, the update to the current version needs to be purchased first. The purchase price is calculated as follows:

  • 8 years (license time elapsed) – 2 years (warranty) = 6 years
    This is capped to five years.
  • Price for update: 5 years * 220 € / year + Basic Update Price 220 = 1,320.00 €

Definition of terminology

Update: The updated version of a program. Example: Update from MLab Build 302 to MLab Build 353

Upgrade: The change from one program to another program with extended features. Example: Upgrade from PLab Desktop to MLab Desktop or from MLab to XLab

Subscription: Update subscription, i.e. the eligibility for updating is purchased in advance. This implies the purchase of an update key for a program license, normally for a duration of one year.