Snapz Pro X - way to push vol lic key to subset of users?

[donmontalvo]

Our techs deployed Snapz Pro X to a group of users, but forgot to enter the vol lic key.

Anyone know where the key is stored so we can push to users?

Also, we need to set Snapz Pro X to enable for all users on the Mac.

TIA
Don

[tkimpton · Accepted solution]

Just to let you know Don I don't think they forgot to add the license key.

Because it creates a license based on machine specific details and calls their licensing server, if you push it out it will come up in trail mode ;(

[tkimpton]

Tried this years ago and gave up using it because could never package up the license. Seems there is a mechanism to assign machine specific license that happens when manually entering the license details.

I know they have to protect their product but on the other hand if it is impossible to automate in the Enterprise then they are also shooting themselves in the foot.

[tkimpton · Accepted solution]

Just to let you know Don I don't think they forgot to add the license key.

Because it creates a license based on machine specific details and calls their licensing server, if you push it out it will come up in trail mode ;(

[donmontalvo]

@tkimpton I spoke with AmbrosiaSW yesterday, they confirmed there's no way to push. So I added this to our "launch to serialize" list (along with other non-volume-licensed software we deploy).

[tkimpton]

Warning, when you use the license and then say rebuild the machine their license server has some kind of expiry when the license key gets generated and you have to fill out a support form to generate a new serial.

It was such a b*tch. Honestly best to steer clear and use camtasia because atleast you can script the license to the users directory as a login hook.

[donmontalvo]

@tkimpton Yea thats how most activated software works. We have a call with them next week to see if we can iron out an agreement, like we did with GLUON, where we can push a key and not have to deal with activation.

[donmontalvo]

dupe

[tkimpton]

Good luck. Last time I spoke they just agreed to consolidate our individual licenses but still had to do manual activation.

This really was a pain in the butt and because of it I stayed clear of this software. Gone are the days that we should be running around with serial keys.

For the end user it's a 10 out of 10. For the admin 0 out of 10 because if this!

[mcrispin]

I agree with everything said here. I got frustrated enough that I dropped the product and went with Camtasia instead. I've not received any complaints on the move.

[donmontalvo]

Thanks, ill have a look. Most of our users ask for Screenflow for video capture..

SnapzPro has been rewritten but we are being hammered about the lack of borders and rename-after-capture features in 2.5.1, but they don't want to change.

I agree about manual activation, it stinks, however our production folks are resistant to change and they like SnapzPro so not likely they'll want to explore alternatives.

[tkimpton]

Unless you steer them in the right direction, you are the driver ;)

Was the same for me, until I told them we can't use it.

[gregneagle]

When I saw Don's original post, I thought I was missing something, because licensing SnapzPro has always been a pain in the asterisk for us -- we've had to do it manually on each machine and often have to redo it on machines when the license "expires". I thought maybe I had been missing some easier enterprise license.

Seems not.

We actively dissuade people from the application if at all possible because of the licensing issues.

[donmontalvo]

@gregneagle Yea, it's one of those annoying applications that this group insists on. We created a Help Desk how-to so if a user calls in with Snapz Pro X issues it gets resolved quickly. There are some other options out there, unfortunately this is one of those "pry it from my cold dead hands" things...like QuarkXPress. ;) We'll see what happens on our call, hopefully they'll bend and give us a pushable key that will lift the dependency on activation (ala GLUON).

[tkimpton]

I don't think your going to be in luck. They have a good licensing mechanism that combats piracy.

From their point of view they would be thinking "why should we change it, we will loose revenue"

They need to realise because of the lack of being able to push out a key, people like us steer clear from their product, so actually they a losing a great deal of revenue from businesses!

[donmontalvo]

Good points, we'll see how they respond.

[lisacherie]

Resurrecting an old thread.. Anyone had luck getting the licensing to hold?

[donmontalvo]

@lisacherie The folks at Ambrosia SW won't bend on their "must activate per Mac" position. I let them know we're exploring alternatives. Unfortunately our folks are so used to SnapzProX that they're OK with having to deal with the wonky non-enterprise-friendly licensing model. :( I have to admit, there may be other options out there that work for some folks and environments - but I'm fine with it, and most of the users we support are as well.

[tkimpton]

Lisa

Tries to tell you.

They wont budge

Forget it their loss of business

Go Camtasia where scripting the license file to the users directory works

[lisacherie · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the replies.
Only a small number of editing stations so I guess we'll be applying the license manually as the software is already in use.

[donmontalvo]

@lisacherie Having spent 13 years in production, it's always refreshing to see an IT person who knows how to pick their battles...if we had more folks like you, I would have never transitioned to IT. Impact vs convenience... ;)

[tkimpton]

well said don :)