From what I've researched on the web and read in these forums, it looks like Excel Software DocProtect would be the best solution for us.
We sell several niche industry training packages that include PDF files which we'd like to protect mainly from being given away to friends and co-workers. It's a product for designers, who are not very computer savvy, and most of them are Mac based: we need a simple solution for both Mac and PC. I also want to have automated licensing so they can start using it right away without us getting involved.
Excel Software's costs are reasonable for us, both for the software and for their online service Safe Activation. Does anyone have any experience with them or do you have any other recommendations? LockLizard doesn't sound as appealing.
While the Excel Software DRM tools may be a good security system -- there are a few things you should be aware of.
The company lists over 50 security packages so you'll need to really pay attention to what packages are available and which ones will suit your purpose best. There are selections for the Mac, Windows or both. It's unclear if these are installation packages or distribution packages.
For example - If you purchase a Windows package (for you Windows Computer) can you protect/distribute PDF files to both Mac and Windows customers?
The base price for DocProtect for Windows is $495 but it appears that only provides a security "wrapper" for your PDF file. QuickLicense appears to be a licensing option that you also need to add to your product. Base cost $595 for the Windows version.
Then to make the complete DRM functional you also need to Sign up for something called Safe Activation. This is an online service that costs from $40 to $160 per month. For the Starter package ($40) you can have 4 products and 1000 Customers/Serial Numbers. (Instead of the monthly Safe Activation account -- you can purchase WebActivation for a one time cost of $2500).
Therefore it appears to me that it will cost you over $1000 initially plus a minimum of $40 per month -- just to get started.
You asked for recommendations -- so you might be interested in the HYPrLock PDF security system. With HYPrLock you can distribute/protect unlimited PDF files for a one time purchase of just $145.00
Unlike the Excel Software system, HYPrLock is simple to setup and easy to use. With HYPrLock, PDF files are hardware locked to one customer/computer and customer/clients will appreciate HYPrLock's instant one time activation. While HYPrLock can only be used on a PC you can distribute PDF files to Mac customers who have Windows emulator software.
HYPrLock provides military standard (****
er proof) PDF security that prevents copying, sharing or editing. You own and control everything so there are no hidden fees or monthly service charges.
With any business, it is up to the individual owner of said business to ensure the success of the business. You may make more or less than any sample figures or results that might be quoted on our web sites or other publications. All business involves risk, and many businesses do not succeed. Further, Answers 2000 Limited does NOT represent that any particular individual or business is typical, or that any results or experiences achieved by any particular individual/business is necessarily typical.
Disclosure:
Our company's websites' content (including this website's content) includes advertisements for
our own company's websites, products, and services,
and for other organization's websites, products, and services.
In the case of links to other organization's websites,
our company may receive a payment, (1) if you purchase products or services,
or (2) if you sign-up for third party offers, after following links from this website.
Unless specifically otherwise stated, information about other organization's products and services,
is based on information provided by that organization,
the product/service vendor, and/or publicly available information - and should
not be taken to mean that we have used the product/service in question.
Additionally, our company's websites contain some adverts which we are paid
to display, but whose content is not selected by us, such as Google AdSense ads. For more
detailed information, please see Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures
Our sites use cookies, some of which may already be set on your computer. Use of our site
constitutes consent for this. For details, please see Privacy.
Click privacy for information about our company's privacy, data collection and data retention policies, and your rights.
