TOP Server Licensing Details

We believe in making the details of how a product licensed as transparent as possible to help you understand what you receive for your investment in a product and relationship with Software Toolbox.

TOP Server is a comprehensive OPC and SuiteLink device connectivity server providing the widest range of single-source drivers for integrating industrial automation devices. The product is commonly used by end-users, systems integrators and distributors needing to connect HMI, SCADA, MES, historian and other industrial and business software packages to process data for decision making.

  • TOP Server is licensed on a per-machine basis by plug-in, driver or driver suite that is needed.
    • This means that each machine where you will need to install TOP Server requires its own license or licenses (depending on which drivers and/or plugins are required) whether software or hardware.
  • For most licenses, there are no artificial limits to the number of connected devices or clients - some premium drivers are licensed in tiers by device count, though (if no device count is described, a driver license is considered not limited).
  • Driver Suites include the most common protocols/drivers for a particular manufacturer - links to full details and pricing is available on the ordering page.
  • All TOP Server license pricing on our website is for perpetual licenses (subscription options are available - contact us for subscription pricing), meaning the license will continue to operate regardless of the current state of the support/maintenance agreement.
  • The only limitation for out-of-support licenses is the version the license is compatible with (i.e. an out-of-support license will only be compatible with the TOP Server version/versions that were available while the support/maintenance agreement was current).

LICENSING DETAILS

  • PERPETUAL LICENSING
  • ANNUAL SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE
  • HARDWARE KEY DONGLES
  • VERTICAL INDUSTRY SUITES

TOP Server Perpetual Licenses, Optional Subscription Licensing

Traditional TOP Server licenses are perpetual licenses meaning that you own the license. There's no annual fee to continue using TOP Server. This means you own the rights (license) to use the software and licensed drivers on a single computer and it will keep running without required payment of annual fees. Support and maintenance fees are required for version upgrades and continued support services - click here for details.
 
If you prefer a subscription model, for example if you are using the AVEVA Flex model, please contact us for pricing. 

TOP Server Annual Support & Maintenance

Your initial TOP Server license purchase includes the first year of support & maintenance allowing you to keep your installation current with the latest version and receive email and phone support, as well as, product re-registrations as needed.

For full details on annual support & maintenance for your TOP Server licenses, including renewals and other benefits, please visit the TOP Server Product Support page.

TOP Server Hardware Key Dongle Support

Optional hardware key dongles are available for TOP Server as an alternative to a traditional software license. Hardware Key Dongles are compatible with any TOP Server  for new or existing software licenses (i.e. we can help you convert existing software licenses to hardware key dongles). Hardware key dongles are delivered with a Hardware Key Certificate file that must be imported into the TOP Server License Utility for the TOP Server you wish to license.

Vertical Industry Suite Licenses are Economical

Need more than one TOP Server driver? Consider the available TOP Server Vertical Industry Suites for a cost-effective bundle of drivers that are most common to specific industries including Manufacturing, Oil & Gas, and more.

Click for Details on Industry Suites

COMMON LICENSING QUESTIONS

  • ARE THERE ANY DEVICE OR TAG LIMITS?
  • WHAT IF I NEED TO RUN TOP SERVER ON MORE THAN ONE MACHINE?
  • CAN I TRANSFER MY SOFTWARE LICENSE?
  • HOW IS MY LICENSE DELIVERED?
  • DO I HAVE TO PAY ANNUAL FEES TO KEEP USING MY LICENSE?
  • DO YOU OFFER HARDWARE KEY/DONGLE LICENSES?
  • IF I HAVE AN EXISTING TOP SERVER SOFTWARE LICENSE, CAN I CONVERT IT TO A HARDWARE KEY DONGLE?
  • HOW DO I UPGRADE TO A NEW VERSION?
  • WHY DO I NEED SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE?
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF MY TOP SERVER LICENSE ISN'T COVERED BY SUPPORT?
  • WHERE CAN I FIND THE END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA)?

Are there any limits on how many tags or devices I can configure?

Standard TOP Server licenses DO NOT artificially limit you by license on number of tags or number of connected client applications. A client application is an HMI, SCADA, MES system, or other OPC client application that consumes the data TOP Server provides.

With the exception of a few TOP Server driver suites, there are not any license-based limits on the number of devices the TOP Server can collect data from or write data to.  If you do not see a device limit listed on the list of TOP Server drivers page, then there are not any license-based device count limits.

There may be technical limitations for a single instance of TOP Server including but not limited to OS capability, your computer hardware, network performance, protocol limitations and your application performance requirements, but not by license. Please contact us to discuss your application technical requirements.

As stated before there might be practical technical limits, but they are usually in the 1000's of devices, possibly more.  Please contact us to discuss your application technical requirements.

What do I do if I need to run TOP Server on more than one machine?

TOP Server is licensed per machine for each driver, suite or plug-in that you require. So you will need a license of TOP Server for each production computer you plan to run TOP Server on, including redundant servers.

Special pricing is available from your local distributor or Software Toolbox for redundant server licenses if bought at the same time as the main license (you might also refer to these as backup licenses).

Volume licensing is available. If you work with one of our distributors you can contact them to discuss your options, otherwise you can contact us for assistance.

Can I transfer my TOP Server license to another machine?

Yes, the TOP Server License Utility makes it possible to transfer licenses between machines in a two step process:

  1. Transfer one or more licenses back to the Software Toolbox registration center.
  2. Register the license or licenses in the target TOP Server.

How is my TOP Server license actually delivered?

If you ordered TOP Server without the optional hardware key dongle, you will receive the following with your purchase (either via online/email delivery or physical delivery or both):

  • Serial/License Number
  • ActivationID (used to register your TOP Server using our online registration center)
  • Emergency ActivationID
  • Support and Maintenance Agreement Expiration Date
  • Product Download Link
  • License Agreement Link
  • Registration & Installation Instructions Links
  • Physical Delivery Only - CD Media
  • Hardware Key License Only - .LIC Certificate File (Link to download or included on physical media)

On the machine where you wish to use TOP Server, you'll activate the serial/license - the procedure for registering your TOP Server online is available in our knowledgebase.

TOP Server hardware key dongles will be delivered pre-loaded with your license for plug-and-play operation after importing the included .lic file in the TOP Server License Utility.

Do I have to pay an annual fee to keep using my license?

If you've purchased a subscription license for TOP Server, yes, you will pay an annual fee each year to renew the right to use that license (subscription licenses are a fraction of the cost of a perpetual license, but you're paying more each year than just a renewal for support/maintenance - this means, over time, a subscription license is actually more expensive).

Most TOP Server licenses are Perpetual Licenses. You own the license! You aren't paying an annual fee to use it!

The only annual cost involved with a perpetual license (and it's optional to renew though highly recommended) is support and maintenance. Support and maintenance is important and we encourage you to consider the benefits you receive including email and phone support, updates to new releases at no additional charge, and more - click for full details.

 

Does TOP Server have a hardware key/dongle license available?

Yes! It is possible to add a USB hardware key dongle option to any TOP Server license (does NOT include the actual license).

You must either already own a TOP Server license or licenses or add the hardware to your order for new licenses.

Order a TOP Server Hardware Key Here

Select/Order TOP Server Licenses Here

TOP Server Hardware Key Licensing Instructions

Converting TOP Server Software Licenses to Hardware

Yes, users with an existing TOP Server software license can purchase a hardware key dongle and easily convert the existing software license.

We will confirm which software license/licenses you wish to transfer to the new hardware key and provide instructions for either transferring the licenses back to our registration center or a Letter of Destruction (LOD) confirming you've removed the licenses and they are no longer loaded.

We will then ship your new hardware key dongle with the designated license/licenses pre-loaded along with the corresponding .LIC file which you will import into the TOP Server License Utility.

How do I upgrade my TOP Server to a newer version?

The first step in upgrading your TOP Server to a newer version is verifying your current support/maintenance status using the TOP Server License Utility.

With one installer for the full product and the free trial, upgrading your TOP Server is as easy as downloading the version you wish to upgrade to and running the installer.

Just make sure your support/maintenance period for you registered licenses are eligible for the version you are installing.

Why do I need support & maintenance?

Every software developer has to continually invest to maintain operating system compatibility, improve and maintain cybersecurity to latest standards, support latest PLC/Device firmware and functions, and yes, those pesky bugs!
 
On top of that, you expect to be able to call or email our support team and receive help from a knowledgeable person when changing configurations, moving licenses, re-unlocking licenses from failed systems, upgrading OS, etc.
 
Access to product upgrades and email/phone technical support is covered through Support and Maintenance.  To insure you get off to a great start we sell licenses to TOP Server and nearly all Software Toolbox Products with the first year of support and maintenance included in the prices shown on our website.
 
You don't have to renew, but it's highly recommended.  Contact us for a quote on your renewal.

What happens if your support/maintenance expires on TOP Server licenses?

After the first year of owning your license (support/maintenance is included for the first year), you can renew your access to support and maintenance so that you continue to receive access to our technical support services and all product upgrades.

Your license will keep operating regardless of whether you renew support or not.  However, if your machine fails, and you need to reactivate your license, our services will be limited to one unlock per year, and no other services.

If you are moving to a newer version, you will need an active support and maintenance agreement to be able to use your license on versions newer than the last release available before your support/maintenance expired.

Upgrades when support/maintenance has expired require a reinstatement (generally a cost of around 50% of a new license).

So, while you don't have to renew, it's highly recommended.  Contact us for a quote on your renewal or reinstatement.

Where can I find a copy of the TOP Server EULA?

The TOP Server End-User License Agreement (EULA) is available in our online knowledgebase.

TOP Server End-User License Agreement

Get Started Now

The demo is the full product once licensed. Once a client application connects to the  TOP Server, the TOP Server runtime will operate for 2 hours at a time. At the end of the 2 hour demo period, the demo timer must be reset by restarting the TOP Server runtime service.

Connect with Us

1-888-665-3678 (US + Canada toll free)
+1-704-849-2773 (Global)
support.softwaretoolbox.com