This optional USB-A dongle can be supplied instead of a serial number. Instead of receiving a serial number via email that you'll need to activate or deactivate, you will receive a dongle, which makes it easy to move your licences around without having to activate/deactivate them. A dongle is like a USB key and it requires a physical shipment

WARNINGThis is a USB-A only model, and some recent computers do not have USB-A ports anymore. We now have a new reversible model that supports both USB-C and USB-A, make sure to order it instead if you want to connect it to a USB-C port.

IMPORTANT: Dongles are shipped empty - update them on reception
In order to limit the consequence of a potential loss of a dongle, it is shipped "empty", with no licenses on it. When you receive it, make sure to update it to add the licenses you have ordered. Once you have updated it, just plug it in the computer and you are good to go; there will be no more update needed later on, except if you want to add options or licenses to the dongle.

How many dongles should you order?
You will need one dongle per computer. Indeed dongles must be connected at all times to the computer to get the license working, so you can NOT use one dongle for multiple computers at once. But you can use one dongle on one computer to license multiple applications or multiple channels. Indeed, a dongle can hold up to 20 licenses. So for example, if you own 4 channels of OnTheAir Video and 4 channels of MovieRecorder, and want to run these on the same computer, you can get all of them on one dongle. If you want to run them on multiple computers, you will need to get one dongle per computer.

What are the advantages of dongles compared to serial numbers ?
When you order a license, you will receive a serial number by email unless you purchase a dongle. The serial number requires activation using an Internet connection. Before you can move a serial number to another computer or reinstall it onto your system, the serial number must first be de-activated. It is not possible to move or reinstall a serial number unless it is deactivated. More info on the activation/deactivation process can be found here.

When you use a dongle, you do not need to worry about activating and deactivating your license(s) as with serial numbers. The Softron dongle looks like a USB memory stick - but it has your license(s) on it and can be moved from computer to computer simply by taking it out of one USB port on one computer and plugging it into a USB port on another computer. Should your hard drive become corrupted - your dongle will be fine and once you get your system ready and working again, all you need to do is download the software from the Softron website, plug in the dongle and you are ready to go. When you use the serial number license, you run the risk of losing your license completely.

When is a dongle recommended ?
We strongly advise that you order the dongle option in cases of critical use of the software. If you intend to move your license frequently from one computer to another or if you want to quickly move the license from the main computer to a backup computer (or simply moving your license from office to home and back) you should think seriously of getting the dongle as well. You never know when you will really need it - until you really need it.

Are dongles guaranteed? What happens if I loose/break my dongle?
Our dongles are guaranteed for 5 years. If broken, they can be replaced (for free or for a fee depending on your situation). We recommend insuring your dongle as if they are lost or stolen, we won't be able to deactivate them remotely, and thus you will have to purchase again the licenses that were on it. Make sure to check our policy on broken or lost dongles here.

I already have a serial number, can I migrate to a dongle?
Yes, just order one dongle and specify which serial number(s) you wish to migrate on the dongle, we'll send you the procedure for the migration.

About the shipping costs and duties
Shipping costs and duties are included for the US and EU. We are using FedEx International Priority for our shippings and you will receive a tracking number. Additional fees may apply for countries outside of US and EU. Contact us for more info on this.

For more information on the activation/deactivation process or the dongles, you should have check the Help Center about our licenses available on the Softron Support Desk.