Method, system and computer program for distributing software products in trial mode

摘要

A solution (300) for distributing software products in trial mode is proposed. This solution is based on the idea of leveraging a software distribution infrastructure. For this purpose, a trial software package (identified by a specific attribute) is provided (306-309) for any software product to be distributed in the trial mode. The trial software package is deployed (318-321) and applied (324-330) as usual to install the software product. An additional service of the software distribution infrastructure monitors (333-339) the reaching of an expiration term of the software product (defined in another attribute of the corresponding trial software package). When this expiration term is reached, the trial software package is applied again (342-345) so as to remove the software product temporarily. If a license for the same software product is bought later on (354), a corresponding activation software package is deployed (354-360) and applied (363). The activation software package in turn invokes the application of the trial software package (369-372), so as to restore the software product permanently.