Licensing

To help determine your personal licensing requirements have a look at the following questions:

Is the product going to be a) used internally or b) sold?

If a) Where is the product going to be run?

  1. Web server - number of CPU's in web server/s = number of CPU licenses required
  2. Standalone client - number of CPU's in client machines = number of CPU licenses required
  3. Applet - treated as Server. Number of CPU's in webserver/s = CPU licenses required

If b) Generally, number of seats expected to be sold or redistributed = OEM licenses required.

  1. Web server - number of users accessing web server/s = number of OEM licenses required (SaaS Model)
  2. Standalone client - number of applications to be sold = number of OEM licenses required (OEM Model) based on the number of CPU's in machine.
  3. Applet - treated as standalone client - number of applications to be sold = number of OEM licenses required (OEM Model).

You may benefit from multicore processor technology with no increase to licensing fees. The BFO per processor model still applies.

This pricing model cannot cover all scenarios. To ensure compliance, let us know your particular set up for a custom quote.

Licensing Structure


Model Licensing Description
CPU CPU based For internal use only. CPU licenses can also cover system integrators and Value Added Resellers (VARs) who develop custom applications on behalf of clients for internal use. Each CPU running a BFO product must be licensed whether on a webserver, standalone client or applet.
OEM Flat fee Required if any product element is embedded as a component within an application that is redistributed. Fill in the OEM form for a quote request.
SaaS/ASP Subscription / Flat fee Required if an application or server is operating on the Internet or an Intranet made available to customers. Fill in the OEM form for a quote request and mention the method of deployment.

CPU model: Quantities between 1-10 CPU licenses may be purchased directly using a purchase order or online if you prefer to use a credit card. Orders over 20 CPU licenses attract further discounts. To purchase email sales@bfo.co.uk

OEM model: This is intended for mass production of a single product. Pricing depends on the nature of the product and the volume of sales. There are 2 ways of licensing open market distribution:

  • Annual-based licensing: For applications with recurring sales or maintenance fees annual subscription licenses will be customized to your application.
  • Flat-fee licensing: If you have forecasted a number of applications for sale, we shall customise the quote to meet your requirements.

Please note for large projects an unlimited distribution annual license is available for all products.

SaaS/ASP model: Annual subscription licenses are tailored for SaaS, whether using an ASP or Software on Demand model. Pricing is determined by the number of CPU's, and number of users, accessing the software.

All licenses may be purchased by wire transfer. For further information on OEM or SaaS models, email sales@bfo.co.uk.

Extended Editions

If you are looking at using any of the following features you will require the extended edition of the PDF Library or Report Generator:

  • Creating form fields
  • Digitally signing documents
  • Importing existing PDF documents as backgrounds

Free Trial/Demos

A free trial of all our software products is available - these are fully functional extended editions with a "demo" stamp on every document. Free ad-hoc support is available during trials. The trial versions can be upgraded to the full version by purchasing the most appropriate license for your needs.

Free Development License

Licenses are not required during development and QA. The fully functional demo version is usually deployed during this period. Subsequently, you'll need licenses for all CPU's running the product including development machines. Feel free to download new versions as they are released. BFO encourage you to test and be sure before making any financial commitment.

Source Code

Source code is currently not available.

Support Contract

We are happy to provide ad hoc support during development. Subsequently, should you purchase technical support for your product, you'll receive new product versions, upgrades within the product version, priority responses both for bugfixes and for any feature suggestions to be included in upgrades. You will also receive product update notifications sent direct to your email. Support is offered via email during the business week.

Jargon Busting

CPU – Central Processing Unit
OEM – Original Equipment Manufacturer
SaaS – Software as a Service
ASP – Application Service Provider
SonD – Software on Demand