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| Escrow Software |
| Saturday, August 4, 2007 |
In a software scenario there are normally two main parties involved; the software programmer or the software company, and the end-user or the company purchasing the software package. Escrow software is a means by which a third party is involved, called an escrow agent, with the responsibility of holding the software’s source code.
Software is made up of code. Programmers write code in ‘object’ format which then gets compiled by the computer into ‘source’ format. Ultimately this code is then translated to ‘machine’ format which can be read by the computer’s hardware, basically ones and zeros. Included with the software code, documentation is also normally present as part of the whole package.
The source code is the origin of the ultimate software application and has a substantial value in the sense that without it the application cannot be generated and therefore executed. This code is not normally delivered to the end-user (or client), but the part delivered would normally consist of the executable part only.
To many programmers and developers, supplying the source code is normally not a very desired option. By doing so, they are exposing their hard work to anyone in the field that can read the code. The client can easily supply the code to a third party which can then change the code or use it to develop something even more elaborate which will then compete, or worse, make obsolete the origin piece of work.
This is where escrow software agents come into play. These agents are responsible for handling and storing the source code. Their role is to protect both the rights of the end-users as well as the proprietary technology present in the programmer’s code.
In cases where software is very costly or is business-critical to the organization involved, software is placed into escrow. But what advantages do parties take from escrow software.
End-User
Having an escrow software service, the user is guaranteed that the source code used for his business application can be available if anything had to happen to the programming organization or software developers. Anything can happen, from company insolvency to bankruptcy, or closure of business. By having escrow, the end-user is immune from these problems and in the case they actually occur, the source code can be utilized and handed over to other professional software companies who can continue in supporting the end-user.
Programmer/Developer
Two advantages can be highlighted for programmers. First, since the source code is escrowed, they can guarantee to the client that their high-cost investment is protected and not liable to any change of business they may encounter. Secondly, by escrow software, developers are assured that their proprietary assets found in the code are well protected from being copied and/or manipulated.
Escrow Software Agent
Needless to say, the responsibility handled to an escrow agent is compensated by the high rates these agents charge. After all, escrow software is not the every day software found on store shelves but most probably is a very precious item both for the people who developed it and also for those who are benefiting from it by using it for their business requirements and every day operations.
Escrow software has become a must for specialized software. It is currently the best solution for piece of mind both for developing companies as well to end-users alike.
Sandro Azzopardi is a professional author who writes several articles on various subjects on his web site and local newspapers and magazines. You can visit information about this article and others on: http://www.theinfopit.com/technology/software/escrowsoftware.php
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandro_AzzopardiLabels: software escrow
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posted by cat pats @ 2:19 AM   |
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| What is Software Escrow? |
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An escrow legal service is an authorized procedure in which any commodity or a property is given to the third party upon the fulfillment of some predefined conditions or contracts. The property can be any asset, money, website domain or even a software code as explained above. Once the deed is fulfilled, the escrow agent delivers the asset held to the third party. In case the condition has not been fulfilled, the escrow amount is maintained.
At times, it is not necessary to hold the legal duties of a trustee on the escrow company, this often leads to negligence on the part of the two parties involved.
People often hire services to get their software codes written by an expert professional, it sounds interesting and a wonderful solution to a problem. However there are things that can go wrong. Software escrow is one way of protecting you in certain types of projects when certain things go wrong.
When you lease out the work of writing a software code for you, one important thing to think over is that whether the source code that has been developed belongs exclusively to the developer, or whether you get a copy. If you do, you have the safety of being able to have someone else make changes or fix bugs in the future, but the developer is giving up some of his or her potential control of that software. If the developer retains the source code and you don't have access to it, then you are dependant on the developer for all future updates. Typically developers will charge more if you get the source code.
Just imagine, if the developer goes away or if all your code disappears? That's where software or Escrow services software comes into play.
As an agreement, you and the developer aggress to hand over the completed source code to a third party escrow company or an escrow agent. The agreement states the conditions where that agent would be allowed to release the source code to you. For example one of the conditions might be the developer's bankruptcy or going out of business for other reasons. By using software escrow, the developer is protected as long as it makes sense for them to retain control, and you are protected should the developer disappear. (Naturally other conditions might trigger the release, but the developer's going out of business is a clear example.)
Escrow software simply means to deposit the source code of a software into the account which is held by a third party. Software Escrow is requested by a party to ensure the maintenance of the software. The code of the software is released to the holder, if in case he faces bankruptcy and has files for it. In case, he is not able to maintain an upgrade the software regularly, the source code is released.
About the Author
Randell Rogfend is a father of three children who has had a long and fulfilling writing career. His passion is writing and he has contributed to countless newspapers, magazines and books. www.escrowsoftware.ixzc.com The following site is his collection of articles about his latest interest: www.escrowsoftware.ixzc.com/software%20escrow%20agentLabels: software escrow
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| posted by cat pats @ 2:18 AM |
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| The Story Behind Escrow Software |
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In a software scenario there are normally two main parties involved; the software programmer or the software company, and the end-user or the company purchasing the software package. Escrow software is a means by which a third party is involved, called an escrow agent, with the responsibility of holding the software's source code.
Software is made up of code. Programmers write code in 'object' format which then gets compiled by the computer into 'source' format. Ultimately this code is then translated to 'machine' format which can be read by the computer's hardware, basically ones and zeros. Included with the software code, documentation is also normally present as part of the whole package.
The source code is the origin of the ultimate software application and has a substantial value in the sense that without it the application cannot be generated and therefore executed. This code is not normally delivered to the end-user (or client), but the part delivered would normally consist of the executable part only.
To many programmers and developers, supplying the source code is normally not a very desired option. By doing so, they are exposing their hard work to anyone in the field that can read the code. The client can easily supply the code to a third party which can then change the code or use it to develop something even more elaborate which will then compete, or worse, make obsolete the origin piece of work.
This is where escrow software agents come into play. These agents are responsible for handling and storing the source code. Their role is to protect both the rights of the end-users as well as the proprietary technology present in the programmer's code.
In cases where software is very costly or is business-critical to the organization involved, software is placed into escrow. But what advantages do parties take from escrow software.
End-User Having an escrow software service, the user is guaranteed that the source code used for his business application can be available if anything had to happen to the programming organization or software developers. Anything can happen, from company insolvency to bankruptcy, or closure of business. By having escrow, the end-user is immune from these problems and in the case they actually occur, the source code can be utilized and handed over to other professional software companies who can continue in supporting the end-user.
Programmer/Developer Two advantages can be highlighted for programmers. First, since the source code is escrowed, they can guarantee to the client that their high-cost investment is protected and not liable to any change of business they may encounter. Secondly, by escrow software, developers are assured that their proprietary assets found in the code are well protected from being copied and/or manipulated.
Escrow Software Agent Needless to say, the responsibility handled to an escrow agent is compensated by the high rates these agents charge. After all, escrow software is not the every day software found on store shelves but most probably is a very precious item both for the people who developed it and also for those who are benefiting from it by using it for their business requirements and every day operations.
Escrow software has become a must for specialized software. It is currently the best solution for piece of mind both for developing companies as well to end-users alike.
About the Author
Sandro Azzopardi is a professional author who writes articles on his web site and local newspapers. http://www.theinfopit.com/technology/software/escrowsoftware.phpLabels: software escrow
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| posted by cat pats @ 2:16 AM |
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