Choose a delivery method
Choose how customers receive each product after purchase. Use this page to compare the available delivery approaches. After selecting an approach, configure the exact product-level fields in Delivery settings.
License keys
License keys are patterns of numbers and letters provided to licensed users of a software program. There are two ways to manage and distribute license keys:
- Key lists: A series of pre-generated keys that you upload to Commerce Assistant (CA). You generate the list with key generation software and then upload the keys as a spreadsheet or text file. You can set up notifications that alert you when the key list is running low. For more details, see Key lists.
- License key generator: A Cleverbridge tool that creates customized licensing information for customers at the time of purchase. Unlike key lists, these licenses are not pre-generated. When the customer clicks Buy, the Cleverbridge platform calls your license key generator, submits the purchase details, and requests the license information in response.
The following table summarizes the differences between key lists and key generation:
| Key list | Key generation |
|---|---|
| Is static. | Is dynamic. |
| Keys are pre-generated. | Keys are generated at the time of purchase. |
| You manually upload a list of keys. | Keys are automatically generated. |
| Keys can run out. | Keys do not run out. |
| There is no risk of a key-generation server being unavailable. | If the server is unavailable, an error is reported in the Error Log. For more information, see Review error logs. |
| Cannot include personalized information. | Can include personalized customer information, such as a name and email address, to reduce piracy. |
| Can include static delivery text that is the same for every customer. | Can include dynamic, personalized delivery text from the key generator. |
Keys are included on the confirmation page and in the confirmation email. You can change the key delivery method at any time. For example, you can start with a key list and later move to key generation.
To create and manage a web key generator in SCM, see Set up a license key generator.
Before you go live, create a test key list or test the key generator with test orders.
Implement a license key generator
For information on implementing a simple license key generator in PHP, see Implement License Key Generator.
Simulate a license key generator call
You can also simulate what happens when Cleverbridge calls your web key generator. For more information, see Simulate a License Key Generator Call.
Product downloads
You can provide download links for trial or full versions of your products and define how long the links remain active. Upload product files in the Product File portal in Commerce Assistant, then select the file and link-validity period for the product.
For the product-level download fields available in SCM, see Delivery settings.
Client-managed delivery
Use client-managed delivery when your own systems or processes deliver the product or license key outside of Cleverbridge. In the product settings, select either Client delivers or Client delivers license key, depending on what your systems provide.
Online backup and extended download
An online backup is a service offered to customers so that they can contact Customer Support at any time for a new download link or the original license key. You can sell an online backup as an addition to a regular license. Download links typically expire between 14 and 30 days after purchase. With an online backup, you can extend the amount of time a customer has access to the download link.
An online backup is set up as an individual product and then sold as a cross-sell. The online backup product should be configured to depend on the original product so that it cannot be purchased without the original product. In the Products portal, select Yes in the Dependent on original product field.
Your products can be delivered through different channels, for example, by both you and Cleverbridge. You can choose to deliver your product using one delivery method, such as a product download, while Cleverbridge delivers it through another method, such as a license key.
When setting up delivery methods for one of your products, the same delivery method cannot be selected for both you and Cleverbridge at the same time.
To leverage our expertise and identify the options that best align with your business needs, reach out to Client Experience.