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What is the Dongle and why does RetailEdge Use It
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    What is the Dongle and why does RetailEdge Use It

    by RetailEdge Moderator » Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:17 pm

    RetailEdge uses a dongle to license each users copy of the Program.

    If RetailEdge does not detect a software key (dongle) attached to the computer, it will run in Demo Mode. Demo mode will allow the program to run. However, if you have exceeded the preset limits on the number of customers, transactions, or inventory items, you will able to only view data and run reports. The ability to post new information will be disabled.

    The current demo preset limits are:
    1. 100 Sales.
    2. 200 Inventory Items.
    3. 100 Customers.

    This allows us to use the actual program as a demo. We simply send you a dongle, you plug it into your computer and you are up and running.

    This also allows users to download the demo program and start entering inventory and then continue when the dongle gets to their store.

    Why don't we dump the dongle as some people have asked?

    http://www.retailedge.com/phpBB/viewtop ... 399&p=1654

    We have had customers who have returned the program or not purchased the program because of the dongle. We have again considered doing both a dongle and a software key license. Listed below are the some of the advantages and disadvantages of the dongle.

    Advantages.

    1. Dongles are more flexible. They can be moved easily from machine to machine allowing users to use the license on multiple machines. So if a user has a backoffice machine they use most of the time, but have a secondary register that they use on peak times, they can simply move the dongle around to the register until things slow down for no additional charge.
    2. Can be instantly reinstalled on a new re
    placement machine. Minimizes downtime if a computer goes down.
    3. Can be used easily in a client server environment like RetailEdge.
    4. Easier to track RetailEdge licensing.

    Disadvantages

    1. Cost more money (to us). There is no additional charge for the dongle when you purchase RetailEdge.
    2. Dongles can get lost or stolen. Then there would be a charge for another workstation license. The are key locks that you can purchase to lock it to your computer though.
    3. Dongles can go bad (our experience it has been about 0.25 percent or less). Some of the time the dongles that come back work fine here (see item 4 below).
    4. Hardware conflicts can cause the dongles to not work properly potentially creating customer support issues.
    5. Need to be shipped to the customer increasing software costs to the customer (especially overseas customers).
    6. Require an additional USB port on your computer.

    We value our customers' and potential customers' input and would like to hear peoples opinions on this either way.
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