Our Customers: AVT Audio Video Technologies

For much of AVT's history, dedicated hardware provided license protection. Software features were unlocked on the device the customer had purchased. As AVT introduced software-based telephone hybrid and audio codec solutions, it needed a licensing approach that no longer depended on its own hardware or USB dongles.

This transition also created new commercial opportunities. For example, broadcasters may need additional VoIP telephone channels or audio codec capacity during major sporting events, but only for a limited period. AVT wanted a licensing foundation that could support future rental and on-demand models while simplifying the management of existing customer licenses.

Previously, software upgrades involved several manual steps. Customers provided their device serial numbers, AVT checked the existing licenses, generated activation passwords, and sent them back for the customer to apply. This process required administrative effort on both sides.

AVT evaluated several licensing approaches before choosing SLASCONE. Key considerations included software-based license protection without hardware dongles, straightforward integration, and the flexibility to support different licensing models.

Beyond the technical capabilities, AVT valued the direct communication and responsive support provided by the SLASCONE team. Questions were addressed clearly throughout the integration process, helping AVT implement its new licensing infrastructure without unnecessary complexity.

With SLASCONE, AVT has significantly simplified software license management. Instead of exchanging serial numbers and activation passwords, AVT can now update license entitlements centrally. Customers simply refresh their licenses within the application to access the updated features or quantities.

Trial licenses and different software editions are also easier to manage. Customers can see their licensed capabilities and quantities directly in the application's licensing interface, providing greater transparency while keeping the licensing process straightforward.

The benefits extend beyond software-based products. AVT has also integrated SLASCONE into its new DAB Emergency Server, which is available both as software and hardware platform, allowing the company to apply a consistent licensing approach across different product categories and platforms.

Looking ahead, this licensing infrastructure provides a foundation for additional business models, including temporary and on-demand licensing, as AVT continues to develop its product portfolio.

AVT plans to expand its use of SLASCONE beyond license management by introducing the platform's Software Shipments functionality. Currently, software updates are typically distributed with assistance from AVT's support team, ensuring that changes to broadcast-critical systems are carefully managed.

In the future, AVT aims to simplify this process by making thoroughly tested software releases available through SLASCONE. The Software Shipments functionality allows applications to identify available updates through regular license checks, while software release limitations help control which versions customers are entitled to access.

This approach could reduce manual coordination, streamline software update distribution, and help AVT address evolving software maintenance requirements, including those associated with the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

AVT uses both device-bound and floating licenses to accommodate different deployment requirements. Its floating-license implementation requires an internet connection, while a grace period helps prevent immediate interruption if connectivity is temporarily lost. For device-bound licenses, an offline license-file alternative is also available.

AVT uses daily heartbeats and a custom API integration to monitor customer installations. If expected heartbeats stop arriving, AVT's monitoring system can alert its team to investigate and, if necessary, contact the customer.

This provides an additional mechanism for proactive customer support without treating a missing heartbeat as definitive evidence of a service interruption.

SLASCONE enables AVT to manage trial access, paid software editions, and upgrades centrally. The licensing interface displays the enabled features and quantities, connecting SLASCONE's entitlement management with the capabilities available to users in AVT's applications.