If you are
A Software Licensee Integrator and you do not have a source code but you can be asked to be a guarantee by Users.
A Software Licensee Integrator and you do not have a source code but you can be asked to be a guarantee by Users.
You need a solution in case of default of the vendor of the software that you distribute or integrate...
A software integrator often finds himself caught between the users and the Editor of a software and in that sense, it is often difficult to separate the limits of their responsibilities. If the system fails when the project is still in process, the consequences can be disastrous if you do not have the means to insure minimally the software’s corrective possibilities.
Usually, Software providers are not keen on delivering their source code as it may create a security loophole in their IT patrimony and a chance of illegal copies or forgery. Incidentally, it becomes more difficult to identify the origin of a malfunction or failure if the Software Integrator or the End User are able to modify the software directly.
The answer lies in a software deposit with a Trusted Third Party who shall release it to Software Integrator in case of Software Editor Maintenance Default. If it is complete and documented, the deposited material will guarantee the durability of the software irrespective of the size or seniority of the company which developed and maintained it.
Having such a security can therefore allow such companies to answer bids for softwares edited by startups. Indeed, despite seeming fragile at a first glance, startups often have softwares that are truly innovating in comparaison to other products on the market.
The deposited material must enable any proficient developer to recover the software in case of malfunction or failure by informing the developer of how the software was created in addition to the development environment. It must not only contain the source code but all the required information to fix or modify such as:
It is mandatory to validate that the Deposit is complete, consistent and coherently documented at its start. If not it will be difficult or even impossible to fix or improve it when needed.
The LOGITAS® Deposit Certificate clearly describes all verifications carried out for each deposited version as well as the technical environment used for the validation process to insure that both the Depositor and End User know its technical quality entirely.
The LOGITAS® verification process is aimed at demonstrating and highlighting the quality and efficiency of the software building process. This point usually not unveiled to the End User is crucial for the maintenance of the software and consequently for the future of its owner.
Putting into escrow the initial version may not be sufficient. It is likely that the version you did deploy will evolve (patches, upgrades, new modules, new functions…). The LOGITAS® Escrow Agreement foresees an annual update of the deposit, with, each update being self-dependent from previous ones.
On each anniversary date of the Escrow Agreement, LOGITAS will review and clarify the utilized versions and software deposits with all beneficiaries having signed the LOGITAS® Subscription Agreement. LOGITAS will then get in touch with your Licensor in order to organize the update of the deposit with the relevant version.
The LOGITAS® Deposit Certificate lists all deposited versions and thus enables to verify and confirm if a specific version has been effectively deposited.
The LOGITAS® Escrow Agreement clearly describes, in advance, trigger events, conditions and procedures in order to have access to the deposited material:
If your License or Maintenance agreement provides special provisions about the access and use of the deposited material, LOGITAS will execute them by priority to the relevant Software Escrow Agreement.
Read more about the Software release procedure
You may personally or indirectly attend the Deposit validation procedure:
Such involvement reinforced the quality of deposits. If LOGITAS provides its know-how and experience on a technical basis (platforms, building procedures and internal documentation), you, as the Beneficiary, are better placed to validate the consistency between the software functionalities and your End User requirements.
This agreement is not mandatory to benefit from a LOGITAS® Software Escrow Agreement but it provides the End User to receive directly from LOGITAS the following:
You are thereby protected that all provisions and promises undertaken by your provider comply with the escrow provision agreed under completion of the license and/or maintenance agreement. In addition you now have the capacity to resort to help in case of provider failure.