Software licensing is rarely simple, especially for organisations that are moving their software to the cloud, with a mix of legacy systems, and growing security demands. In our recent webinar, we explored how two very different companies are tackling these challenges head-on by adopting InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) technology. Here’s what we learned.
Phased Cloud Adoption: The Multinational Power Company
For a large US-based power provider, licensing had become a minefield. Years of relying on outdated, unsupported models left them exposed to security risks and operational headaches. Deciding which products to upgrade and which to retire was never straightforward, especially with a portfolio spanning both old and new projects.
Maintaining physical licence servers was another pain point, costly, time-consuming, and increasingly out of step with their move towards cloud-based development. Rather than rushing into a wholesale migration, the company opted for a phased approach. CLS enabled them to gradually shift critical operations to the cloud, reduce reliance on physical infrastructure, and future-proof their processes.
As Rob Neff, Director of Global Inside Sales at Revenera, put it:
“There’s a sense of fear, uncertainty, and doubt that things could change next quarter, next year, or even three years from now. We want to be in a position to handle that. Ultimately, we helped them reduce both the cost and complexity of managing their systems, while also future-proofing their environment in case something changes down the road.”
The flexibility to switch cloud providers as business needs evolved was a significant advantage, allowing them to adapt without disruption.
Balancing Legacy and Innovation in the Building Industry
The second case study focused on a company in the building sector, responsible for hundreds of product lines and versions. Licensing here was often tracked manually, think spreadsheets and ad hoc processes, making errors and compliance issues all too common.
Balancing legacy and innovation was a constant challenge. Some products could be upgraded to newer releases, while others needed to remain in legacy mode due to regulatory requirements or resource constraints. Security and compliance were ever-present concerns, but upgrading everything at once simply wasn’t practical.
CLS provided a way to mix legacy and current solutions, enabling selective upgrades based on business priorities. Licence management became simpler and more secure, freeing up time for custom development and innovation.
InstallShield
Create native MSIX packages, build clean installs, and build installations in the cloud with InstallShield from Revenera.
Crispin Luxton, Co-Founder of TLUX, summed up the impact:
“Having access to both the latest version of InstallShield and those older heritage versions is important, because teams often don’t have the time or resources, from a QA or R&D perspective, to fully assess what an upgrade might involve. It’s not always as simple as just upgrading a project; there can be nuances and risks they’d rather avoid. So being able to make changes within the existing version gives them the flexibility to stay both cutting-edge and leading-edge.”
Lessons Learned
Both companies demonstrated that while CLS adoption can be complex, a flexible and gradual approach makes it manageable. The ability to adapt to changing business needs, support multiple cloud providers, and streamline licence management were key benefits.
The move to CLS isn’t about erasing challenges overnight, it’s about giving organisations the tools and flexibility to overcome them, modernise confidently, and focus on what matters most.
If you’re facing similar licensing challenges, consider how a phased, strategic approach, supported by flexible technology, can help your team move forward. And if you’d like to discuss your own situation, our team is always happy to chat.
