Hi,

So far I have been using both systems: iLicenser and iLok. Up to now I havent' experienced any problems with either of them, but from the very beginning I found both keys a pain in the *ss because of the immanent danger of loosing the licenses and having to pay again for them. It was and is an unwieldy solution to keep these licenses on a USB-stick. In most cases they don't work properly in a USB-hub, so you have to insert them directly into the computer and I have an iMac with only 4 direct USB-busses... And what with the problem of breakdown or failure of the key? The VSL insurance... That is of course a possibility which I finally have chosen for. Licenses on an external key is outdated and rather primitive. Some programs have a choice: either the key or a little piece of license software on your own computer, with the permanent ownership of the program in case of loss, failure, theft... Why isn't that possible in Vienna?

In my opinion, it is very unjust that (without insurance) you have to pay again in case of a broken, stolen or lost iLicenser for the libraries and software you once owned (at least the use of it). It can be coupled to the computer's Mac-address. From what I've read here, I understood that it would be possible to store the licenses in a cloud. That is already a far better solution, but here again there is the immanent danger of being at the mercy of an external instance (the firm's cloud) and the availability of the internet connection. Without these, no working with your purchased beloved libraries...

I hope that Vienna comes with a smarter solution to overcome all these possible problems in the next future, other than again a USB-key.

Jos

@Jos Wylin said:

In my opinion, it is very unjust that (without insurance) you have to pay again in case of a broken, stolen or lost iLicenser for the libraries and software you once owned (at least the use of it). It can be coupled to the computer's Mac-address. From what I've read here, I understood that it would be possible to store the licenses in a cloud. That is already a far better solution, but here again there is the immanent danger of being at the mercy of an external instance (the firm's cloud) and the availability of the internet connection. Without these, no working with your purchased beloved libraries...

There are other libraries/plugins that I own that require the use of an iLok and - as you mentioned above - allow those licenses to be stored into a cloud.  As far as I'm aware, those companies don't require insurance policies like the Vienna Protection Plan. 

This begs the question (which I am addressing to the team at VSL): once the migration to iLok is complete, will the Vienna Protection Plan still be something we are required to purchase to protect us from having to re-purchase licenses that are rendered unusable by stolen/broken/damaged dongles?

- Sam

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the reply.

At the moment, I work with one VST program (SparkVerb) that requires the iLok. When I installed it, I had the choice: license on my iLok key, in the iLok cloud or on my local HDD. I chose the latter. No problems so far. In the iLok installation program, I can see SparkVerb registered at iLok via my HDD. No trouble either with repurchasing in case of loss.

So you see it's possible without all that hassle with insurances etc. As I said before, I find it very weird that we should have to pay twice for the same purchase. (Illegal in Belgium!) And there is more bad news coming up...

I've noticed that all Vienna's attention goes to Synchron nowadays (for quite some tome actually) and that the 'older' libraries and player are left totally behind and neglected (although they keep selling them). I asked a question about this issue and it appears that in due course the VI(pro) libraries will be stopped altogether. They say that they will guarantee 'as long as possible' their support. I find this rather shocking. During many years, I've put together a huge library of VI pro (full) instruments and I'm very pleased with them. I've learnt to work with them in a satisfactory way, together with the Vienna Suite, MIR Pro, VE Pro and other applications. Now they announce the end of the library, as if we have an endless amount of money at our disposal to restart building the whole lot again with Synchron (and I even don't like the sound of that hall, so why on earth would I go on putting my money into these instruments...?)

I don't want to be rude. I'm very thankful for the VI libraries and the sonic results I can get with them, but the next step is simply one too many and I feel pretty disappointed about that.

Jos

As proposed I have bought a spare ViennaKey last December to have no downtime which I also cover with the Vienna Protection Plan. Was this an unnecessary investment since I have to change to iLok?
Your VSL Announcement at VI Control states that you offer a free €20 voucher with every ViennaKey order and the ViennaKey also is discounted. But the discount is not usefull if ViennaKey is going to become useless as well as the voucher. Do you expect people to buy a useless thing only to get a voucher?

Maybe I missunterstood something or it is too early to critisize your intention because it is not final yet – which I hope!

Regards
Martin

Hi Martin, 

Your eLicenser will be useful and working for as long as you want to use it on your computer and your OS supports the eLicenser version you are using. 
We will find personal solutions for any troubles that might occur with the Vienna Protection Plan. Having said that, license replacement will work for as long as the eLicenser Server is up and running. 

You can use the 20 EUR voucher for any purchases in our webshop... doesn't sound useless to me. 

After the 4 years we know each other, many demo licenses, product returns, license transfers - May I ask to have  a little faith in us?

Best, 
Paul

Hi Paul!

First of all, I hope that my statement did not come across as a rant. This was not my intention. If my wording was too harsh I apologize for that. I just wanted to give feedback.

Second, of course I still have faith in you and VSL. Otherwise I would not have asked if I have done an unnecessary investment, I would have stated it (and then probably would have ranted about it 😉)

Third, before losing confidence in you and your company I would phone in to clarify any problems. Talking to you in our native language or writing in a foreign language could make the big difference. Alternatively I board the “10er” and then the “60er”, you sure have a café or a bar near you 😉

So, if the eLicenser server is running until the warranty of the ViennaKey, it’s all good for me. If not I believe we will find a solution of course. As said my statement was just meant to be a considerate feedback!

Regards
Martin

THis is good news as it will simplify things somewhat. I already use iLok for a lot of plug-ins, and it will help to have one license system instead of two.

The only drawback is that I have fouind through unpleasant experience that iLok licensing doesn't work when backup software is running in the backgroiund. My DAW (and other applications) just hangs when trying to load the plug-in, and everything has to be shut down. I'm using EaseUS ToDo Enterprise, but I've found that the same thing happens with other backup software. So I just have to time all my backups to run overnight, which is tricky.

"COMPATIBILITY: Under the iLok system, you will still be able to open existing projects as long as the eLicenser is connected. Once the project has been saved again, the eLicenser will no longer be required."

If this is the case,  I'll have to keep that e-licenser connected forever for legacy.. having used VEP for more episodes and films than I count,  I'd basically have to re-open every single previous session and resave?  Not a chance of that ever happening.  

Why is the license tied to each project vs just the app opening with an ilok handshake instead of E-licensor??  

Hi Neil, 

We hear you, and of course we are looking for better options here. 

I can't make any promises at that point, but for the time being, simply keeping your eLicenser connected will work for sure. 

We'll keep you up to date!

Best,
Paul

How will the Vienna (insurancce) plan work out with this? Will I have to pay twice to insure both Vienna key and ilok?

Hi Firefrost, 

If you keep using both keys, the optional protection plan and iLok ZDT will keep the VSL licenses on both your keys safe. Remember, there's also the cloud option with iLok. 

Best,
Paul

iLok ZDT and the Vienna Protection Plan seem redundant, am I incorrect? And if we use iLok Cloud, I’m assuming neither ZDT or the Vienna Protection Plan are necessary to protect our VSL licenses?

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi Jeff, 

You will see more options once we are through this transition. You will be able to use your ViennaKey / eLicenser USB Key (if you like) AND the option you choose with iLok (key or cloud). 

Depending on your choice and circumstances, the optional Vienna Protection Plan (for the ViennaKey) and the optional ZDT (for your iLok key) will make sense. 

Best, 
Paul

Thanks Paul!

Best,

Jeff

Many thanks.

I'd avoid the cloud if only because I sometimes like to work in places where there's no wifi but that's just me!

Cheers.

Although I never considered a bad thing the fact of using the eLicenser dongle, I wonder if it is also in discussion the possibility of Linux compatibility with the licensing management system that will replace it.

Can we dream of the chance of having dedicated slave pc units running Vienna Ensemble Pro on Linux? I know it's quite a stretch, but since there will be a migration from eLicenser to iLok (don't know much about iLok compatibility with Linux distros though), wonder if that was actually considered by the good people of VSL.

In any outcome, I'll still going to keep supporting VSL products :D

Paul:

Will there be Ilok computer authorizations as well as hardware Ilok?

Hi beatpete, 

We are looking at iLok key and iLok cloud right now. No computer authorizations. 

Best, 
Paul

Ok that's a shame. It would be perfect for me if I could have my 3 licenses on my Main comp, server and laptop and not have to worry about internet or hardware.

@Paul said:

Hi everybody, 

We'll keep you up to date right here, and of course you will also be informed via newsletter as soon as we are entering the transition phase!

@LAJ: "Lizenzdaten-Wildwuchs" is one of those german words that makes people afraid of our language 😊.

Best,
Paul