Review: SafeNet HASP SRM

SafeNet's HASP SRM controls access to protected software applications either through a hardware dongle or through a virtual dongle that resides on the end-user's hard disk. In both cases, HASP SRM provides secure licensing that ensures that the vendor gets paid for every copy in use. This product uses enveloping technology that delivers advanced IP protection for Windows, .NET and Java files. Also included is the HASP SRM Business Studio, which provides comprehensive licensing features.

We found this tool to be simple to use from installation through actual product use. The installation took a few minutes and was guided by a setup wizard that helps install both the application as well as the Business Studio Server. After installation, we launched the Vendor Suite application. We found this application interface to be easy to use and intuitive to navigate and were able to use our master dongle to protect an application and assign the key to an end-user dongle in less than five minutes.

This tool allows for a different kind of digital rights management. Instead of protecting documents or emails, it protects software and applications from piracy or unauthorised use - as well as licensing requirements - by requiring that a user needs a dongle to run an application.

Documentation provided with this product was well organised and easy to follow with step-by-step instruction and quite a few screen shots.

SafeNet offers eight hours a day/five days a week phone and email technical support free of charge to customers. There is also a support area available on the company's website that includes downloads, FAQs and a knowledge base.

With a price starting at $US5,000 with keys purchased by volume, this product may seem quite pricey, but we found that it does offer a lot of software protection and licensing functionality that is practical and easy to implement. This is why we find the HASP SRM to be a good value for the money.

For: Dongle-based software protection.

Against: None that we found.

Verdict: These guys pioneered this dongle approach and they still lead the field with first-rate products, making them our Recommended product for license protection.