Originally Posted by: beatpete

Paul:

I'd just like to re-iterate how useful it would be to have a third option to have iLok locally on each computer therefore not requiring a dongle OR an internet connection.

Quite a few composers I'm in touch with state the dongle/cloud (or, to put it another way, lack of machine activation) is the only thing preventing them from purchasing VSL products.  It's anecdotal, but I see that sentiment echoed throughout various forums as well.  I suppose it comes down to a cost/benefit analysis...

Given that eLicenser is gone anyway sooner or later, I think the change to iLok is a good move. Cloud will bring new customers who have for years asked that from different vendors.

However, there's one thing I don't see specified anywhere, not even in iLok site. Cloud requires constant internet connection and if it is lost, after few minutes there's supposed to be a nag about it. I'm wondering how often Cloud will check the connection? I'm interested in this because my net connection slows down and fails often, like every 30 minutes or more and can be down for a few minutes at any given time. Obviously this will be a problem if the connection is checked, say, every few seconds and I can't do anything in the meanwhile.

Does anybody have actual experience about this?

Hi JBuck, 

Machine licensing by no means offers the same level of security as the cloud and key. 

Best, 
Paul

'Insurance' suggests that the licences will be replaced. This is not insurance. iLok requires that we submit an RMA request that will cost $49.95 USD plus shipping, outside of the 2 year warranty. Then they assess the broken iLok to determine whether the licences can be recovered and if not, we need to then contact VSL and tell them. If our iLok is lost/stolen then just skip straight to the last step. That's when VSL tell us that we need to pay 50% of the original price of the licences.

What we get for $30 USD is temporary 2 week licences while we freak out about having to pay VSL thousands of euros AGAIN. 

So the real insurance is the TLC which is just licences that expire every 90 days. which would still potentially leave us without the ability to use our products for 75 days. And why should that cost us $30 USD a year?.

Originally Posted by: JBuck

'Insurance' suggests that the licences will be replaced. This is not insurance. iLok requires that we submit an RMA request that will cost $49.95 USD plus shipping, outside of the 2 year warranty. Then they assess the broken iLok to determine whether the licences can be recovered and if not, we need to then contact VSL and tell them. If our iLok is lost/stolen then just skip straight to the last step. That's when VSL tell us that we need to pay 50% of the original price of the licences.

This set of a few alarm bells, so let me see if we can get this straightened out.  I read over PACE's website and here's what I gathered:

If the iLok with all the VSL licenses is broken, an RMA must be issued:

• With ZDT (Zero Downtime Protection), a $30/year plan, 2-week temporary licenses are issued, assuming you either 1) have a spare i-Lok handy or 2) expedite a spare i-Lok from PACE.
• Without ZDT, you just wait for the RMA to process.

If the i-Lok with all the VSL licenses is lost or stolen, an RMA must be issued:

With TLC (Theft/Loss Coverage) enabled, which is a free additional service alongside ZDT that requires refreshing your account to their server every within 90 day cycles, according to PACE's website:

"With TLC enabled, PACE is authorized by software publishers to replace the licenses last seen on the iLok USB by our server.  This happens automatically without any action from you, the end user.  This process usually takes a few days and will be down before Zero Downtime licenses expire."

Without TLC enabled, according to the website:

"Without Theft & Loss coverage, the software publisher must provide any permanent replacement licenses.  If the RMA was placed for an iLok USB with ZDT and TLC off, your temporary licenses will allow you to continue to use your software as you work with these companies to get permanent replacements."

Originally Posted by: JBuck

So the real insurance is the TLC which is just licences that expire every 90 days. which would still potentially leave us without the ability to use our products for 75 days. And why should that cost us $30 USD a year?.

I'm not sure where you're getting the "unable to use products for 75 days" part?  As far as I can see, all one has to do is hit the "Refresh" button within a 90 day period.  Once refreshed, the 90 day period resets.  Kind of like an oil change.  Or am I missing something?

Paul, Ben, or any other VSL rep:

To prevent confusion and/or panic, can you please clarify the following:

1. According to the iLok website, having ZDT enabled allows us temporary licenses, regardless of whether or not the dongle is broken or lost/stolen.  So far, so good.  Having TLC enabled, according to their website, means that PACE is then authorized by the publisher of the licenses to replace the broken/lost/stolen licenses permanently, with no charge (other than the RMA fees and whatnot) to a spare or replacement iLok without needing to contact the publisher (in this case, you.)  Is this a correct assessment?  Or, to put it another way, if we have ZDT and TLC enabled, are we guaranteed to be able to permanently replace any and all VSL licenses in the event of breakage, loss, or theft?
2. Is there any foreseeable situation in which we, as JBuck put it, will have to pay 50% for our VSL replacement licenses?  If so, why?  And, how do we avoid that?

Looking forward to hearing from you,

- Sam

Hello gentlemen, 

It is all very clear on iLoks information pages, and there's nothing I can add to their description. 
You can also check out the iLok support page with a lot of FAQs.

When using an iLok key, ZDT and TLC on an iLok 3 is the best combination to keep the licenses on your iLok safe and definitely worth the investment.
Moving your licenses to the cloud when you are traveling (or not working) is another option.
Using the cloud without the key is another option.  

We have not published any numbers regarding the cost of replacement licenses on a lost/stolen iLok key yet.
With eLicenser, the cost was 50% of the full price of the replacement license. 
It is easy to prevent these costs if you are a "mobile musician" and in danger of losing the key, with the Vienna Protection Plan that is still available at this point. 

Best, 
Paul

Hi,

Here you go. 

Best, 
Paul

Originally Posted by: JBuck

Please show me where on their site it says,

"In the case of loss or theft of your ZDT and LTC enabled dongle, we will immediately provide you with replacement licences which can be placed on a new iLok key or simply use the cloud. Have a nice day :)".

This is pretty unequivocal