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Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) face a myriad of challenges when it comes to managing software usage and access in the cloud. That’s why software-licensing.com exists—to offer clarity, direction, and peace of mind around cloud software licensing.
Whether you’re delivering a SaaS product or transitioning legacy software to the cloud, we help you navigate the best ways to manage licenses, secure your software, and control access—without getting lost in technical jargon.
You’ve built great software. Let’s help you protect and manage it the right way.
Got Complex Licensing Needs? Let’s Simplify It.
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What Is Cloud Software Licensing?
Cloud software licensing is the process of granting and managing usage rights for software applications hosted in the cloud. This modern model allows ISVs to offer licensing options such as subscriptions, pay-per-use, and time-limited trials. These licenses are centrally controlled and can be updated, suspended, or reactivated without local intervention.
Whether licenses live on the cloud or are temporarily cached locally for offline use, the licensing model determines how software can be accessed, used, and protected—at scale.
How Cloud Software Licensing Works
At its core, cloud licensing involves hosting your license server in a secure cloud environment. When users attempt to access your application, their credentials or device IDs are authenticated against the cloud server.
Licenses can be updated in real-time, and usage metrics can be logged to help refine your licensing strategy. For offline access, temporary license tokens can be issued and later synced when back online.
SaaS Licensing Models Explained
Cloud delivery has opened the door to a wide range of SaaS licensing models. Here are a few commonly used structures:
- User-based licensing in the cloud: Tie usage to individual accounts.
- Device-based licensing: Ideal for organizations running apps on fixed terminals.
- Feature-based licensing: Enable or disable features based on tier or plan.
- Consumption-based licensing: Bill based on actual usage metrics.
Each model can be customized depending on your software’s nature, business goals, and customer expectations.
How to Control Software Access in the Cloud
One of the most critical aspects of SaaS delivery is managing who gets access—and when. Options include:
- Identity-based login systems
- Session tokens with timeouts
- API key validations
- Role-based access control (RBAC)
Wondering what is the best way to handle user logins for cloud apps? It comes down to blending security with a seamless user experience, while maintaining clear license tracking.
How To Protect Cloud Software From Being Copied
To prevent piracy or reverse engineering, ISVs need more than strong access policies—they need protection at the code level. Cloud deployment helps, but without safeguards like software obfuscation, tampering and unauthorized duplication are still risks.
Effective methods to protect your application include:
- Obfuscating your software code (not enterprise data) to deter tampering
- Using server-side logic to offload critical functionality
- Enforcing strong cloud license authentication protocols
These measures ensure that your intellectual property stays secure, even in decentralized environments.
Ready To Simplify Cloud Licensing?
Let’s talk about your licensing challenges and how to make them manageable.
Reach out to our team at software-licensing.com today.