What Licensing Do I Need To Buy?
You know that Alpha Five version 9 is the right tool for developing your application, but what licensing do I actually need to buy. The scenarios and descriptions below should give you a clear understanding of what you need to purchase.
Let's first break the product down into its 2 versions and explain the differences as a starting point.
Alpha Five Version 9 is available in 2 Editions which are Alpha Five Version 9 Standard Edition and Alpha Five Version 9 Platinum Edition.
The main difference between these 2 Editions is that the Platinum Edition allows you to work with backend SQL data sources such as MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle etc. for both Desktop and Web Applications, plus it allows you to take advantage of the Unlimited Distribution RunEngine License. The Standard Edition does NOT have this functionality and you are limited to only working with the built in Alpha Five database engine.
So, if you are going to be working with SQL data in any way, or wish to be able to deploy your desktop applications without any limitation, you will want the Platinum Edition.
Now that you have chosen the right development environment for your specific needs, you need to determine if you need additional licensing, and if so what licensing. Remember that part of the beauty of Alpha Five is that you essentially get 2 products in one. You have the ability to build both Windows Desktop and Web Applications with your license. When you want to deploy these applications, you will need the additional licensing as detailed below.
Option 1: Single-User Personal Use.
If you are a single user who is simply going to be building windows desktop applications for your personal use to use on a single computer, then there is no additional licensing required. (Please remember that each license allows you to install the software on 2 computers as long as they are not networked together i.e. Desktop and Laptop)
Option 2: I want to build and deploy/distribute Windows Desktop Applications.
Once you have built your desktop application and wish to deploy it or distribute it, you will need either a Runtime license or a Run-Engine license. If your users are going to need connectivity to SQL data sources, then you will need the Run-Engine license. Remember that we have recently introduced the Unlimited Distribution Run engine license, which allows you to distribute or deploy your desktop applications without any limitations with regards to the number of applications or the number of users. If your users do NOT require SQL connectivity, or the unlimited distribution option is not needed by you, then you will need the Runtime licensing. Please Click Here(Needs to be hyperlinked) for a full explanation of the Runtime and Run-Engine including distribution and site license information.
Option 3: I want to deploy a web application.
Once you have built your web application, and wish to deploy it to the Internet/intranet, you will need the Application Server. The Application Sever is what enables you to allow remote access to your application via a browser. The Application Server is licensed per server and is for an unlimited number of users accessing the application.
Option 4: I want to deploy a "hybrid" (web and desktop) application.
Many companies will build what we refer to as "hybrid" applications which is a single database application, but people can access it from a desktop interface (usually for internal users across a LAN) and through a web interface (usually for external employees or customers). In this case the database application will reside on a single server, and you will require the Application Server for the web interface, and then the Runtime or Run-Engine licensing for the internal Desktop users.
In summary:
If you have any questions regarding your needs, please email us at sales@alphasoftware.com