Various licensing options are available for the Evaluator's Application Suite (EAS) that are designed to suit differing needs.

The EAS Licensing Scheme suits the needs of the following groups of users:

• Content Providers: Organizations or individuals that author Evaluation Specifications, which are sold through the online store
• Service Providers: Organizations or individuals that author Evaluation Specifications and/or perform evaluations for their clients
• End Users: Organizations or individuals that are in the process of a product acquisition and plan to support the product acquisition process by using a ready-for-use Evaluation Specification, which forms the basis for the product evaluation.

EAS Content Authoring License (CAL) 

The EAS Content Authoring License (CAL) is a Software Usage License, which allows you to create Evaluation Specifications from templates or from scratch. Please note that the SPL (Service Provider License) also includes a CAL.

However, you do NOT need a CAL if you purchase an Evaluation Specification license from the online store. The license grants you the right to edit the downloaded Evaluation Specification in order to adapt it to meet your specific requirements.

The CAL will be the most suitable option if you are a Content Provider and plan to author Evaluation Specifications for which you intend to sell Evaluation Specification Usage Licenses (ESUL, please see below) through the online store. As a Content Provider you do not plan to perform evaluations.

EAS Subject Matter Evaluation License (SMEL)

You need an EAS Subject Matter Evaluation License (SMEL) when the following condition applies: You needed a Content Authoring License (CAL) to create the Evaluation Specification that forms the basis for your evaluation.

For example, you or some service provider created an Evaluation Specification from scratch with the Evaluation Specification Editor, Content Provider Edition. Now, you wish to use the Evaluation Project Editor to perform an evaluation. To do that, you need a SMEL, which is a Software Usage License.

Please note that the SPL (Service Provider License) also includes a SMEL. 

However, you do NOT need a SMEL when you purchase an Evaluation Specification license from the online store. The license grants you the right to perform an evaluation with the Evaluation Project Editor (EPEdit).

The SMEL would be an option if you previously chose to acquire a CAL, but later on decided to also perform evaluations. Alternatively, some service provider has created an Evaluation Specification for you, and you wish to perform the evaluation yourself.

EAS Service Provider License (SPL) 

The EAS Service Provider License (SPL) allows you to author Evaluation Specifications from scratch AND to perform evaluations (e.g. product evaluations). It represents a combination of a CAL and a SMEL.

The SPL will be the most suitable option if you assume a Service Provider role and plan to author Evaluation Specifications and perform evaluations. This is what many consulting firms typically offer as a service. 

Evaluation Specification Usage License (ESUL) 

The Evaluation Specification Usage License (ESUL) allows you to edit the specific Evaluation Specification, for which the license was acquired. You can also perform an evaluation based on the specific Evaluation Specification, for which the license was acquired. An ESUL is a Digital Content License.

The ESUL will be the suitable option if you plan to support your product acquisition process with a ready-for-use, yet customizable Evaluation Specification.

Please note that an ESUL is always associated with a specific Evaluation Specification. When you obtain a license for an Evaluation Specification through the online store, you actually acquire an ESUL. An ESUL includes a CAL and a SMEL license, which are associated with the Evaluation Specification for which the ESUL was obtained. In other words, an ESUL is much the same as a SPL, but, in contrast, it is strictly tied to one specific Evaluation Specification.

Licensing Options: Overview 

Please find the license most suitable for your individual needs in the following table: