10Duke's software licensing solution utilises the unique concept of identity-based licensing.
It is a method of controlling access to a digital product (or any protected resource), based on the authenticated identity of an individual.
It also enables you to retain flexibility in terms of licensing a software product to the individual based on a number of constraints such as company, device, location and application type.
This article explains why identity-based licensing is the most modern approach for licensing your product, managing customer information, and ensuring easy access for customers.
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How Does Identity-based Licensing Work?
10Duke Enterprise does not use the concept of a license key in its design, but rather uses a JSON web token (JWT) as the primary mechanism for communicating with your client software or device.
10Duke Enterprise is API-based, so everything that follows is handled by 10Duke APIs that are delivered from the cloud.
Here's how Identity-based licensing works:
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- User logs in to an application with their username and password and is authenticated, which is handled by 10Duke.
- Based on the authenticated identity of the user, 10Duke checks what this user is authorized to access and do.
- After the authorization decisions are made, the user is able to use and access whatever products or features they have licensed from you (but access to everything else can be denied).
- All events, such as log-ins of the users and application and license usage, are stored and can then be queried in order to generate business insights.
For a more technical explanation, read our blog on the basics of how 10Duke works , or learn about the various components and APIs of 10Duke Enterprise on our documentation site.
Advantages of Identity-based Licensing
identity-based licensing offers significant advantages over traditional device-based models.
1. Flexibility: Identity-based licensing gives you greater flexibility in how you offer your products. You can license by company, device, location, application type, or specific features, and create bundles or full-suite subscriptions. This approach improves customer access and security, and lets you apply consistent models across your product range.
10Duke’s software licensing solution supports both B2C and B2B models, from SaaS trials to site licenses, letting you choose the best model for your business. As a cloud-native solution, it integrates seamlessly with CRMs and e-commerce systems.
2. Scalability: 10Duke automates and streamlines licensing, reducing manual steps for both vendors and customers. There’s no need for license keys or on-premise servers-customers can quickly purchase, install, and use your software. This efficiency leads to happier customers and saves time for everyone.
3. Customer Identity: With 10Duke, customer identity management is built in, so you don’t need separate third-party solutions. All licensing decisions are tied to user identity, giving you clear visibility into your customer base and direct channels for upselling.
Learn more about our Customer capabilities.
4 Reasons Why Identity-based Licensing is Superior
1. It can be used across app types
If you sell and license multiple applications and they are a mix of desktop, web-based, SaaS, mobile, mobile web and or other types of apps, each type is supported by identity-based licensing and you can use the same licensing engine to provide licensed access to them, either individually or as a bundle.
2. It can help to integrate your product suite
If you offer your customers more than one product, you can provide access to each one using the same set of authentication credentials - a method called identity federation. This makes your product set easier to access, maintains security and improves the customer experience. When each product is also controlled by the same licensing engine, the way in which your customer can access your products gets even better. Learn more about how centralized software licensing will also help you grow your revenues.
3. Usage data to learn how your products are being used
Understanding how, when, from what device, dwell time and similar usage data can help you to better understand how your customers use your products. In turn, this can help you to see any product issues, make product improvements and ensure the relevance of your products to your customer base.
4. Simplified license administration
Buying, activating or renewing licensing, particularly in a B2B context is normally a bit of a hassle. With identity-based licensing, purchases or renewals can be done online either for individuals or for teams, and activation is automatic. No more physical distribution of license keys, no more downtime. Instead tons of time, effort and costs saved.
Consider 10Duke Enterprise as identity-based software licensing solution to help you generate the most revenue, protect your customers and to offer them an improved user experience.
To learn more about what 10Duke Enterprise is capable of you can book a demo.
Are you a software developer looking to sell more? Learn more from our guides:
Should You Build Or Buy a Licensing System?
How to Monetize Software Products?
Guide to Software Licensing – Basics Explained
Software Licensing Models – Ultimate Guide
What Is Software License Management?
Customer Identity and Access Management – What should a good CIAM solution provide?
The Licensing Lab Blog
Identity-based licensing is a method by 10Duke of controlling access to a digital product based on the authenticated identity of an individual.