Transition to Thales Sentinel licensing: What does it mean for users?

An important update has been recently introduced for UFS Explorer: starting with version 10.12, the Professional and Technician editions of the software are moving to the Thales Sentinel licensing system. This change is intended to provide greater protection and more flexible licensing for the products, and we earnestly hope that the transition will work well for all users. But, of course, as with any new technology, this will require certain adjustments. So, below, you will find essential information about licensing under the new system and the transition itself.

Why Thales Sentinel?

The move to the Thales Sentinel licensing solution is driven by several important benefits:

• Improved security. Thales Sentinel is a well-established, robust licensing solution trusted by numerous software vendors worldwide. It helps to maintain the highest standards of protection by employing advanced security measures, including encryption and secure communication protocols.

• Scalability. Thales Sentinel allows for flexible licensing options, ranging from basic single-seat offerings to multi-seat corporate implementations. Moreover, the adaptable nature of the system leaves room for incorporating diverse licensing models in the future as the product continues to evolve.

• Better license management. The system helps to ensure more consistent handling of licenses, especially in multi-computer environments. If offers cloud-based license activation and centralized control, making it much easier to distribute, track and manage the issued licenses.

What does this mean for users?

As already stated, the transition impacts only the users of UFS Explorer Professional Recovery and UFS Explorer Technician. All "classic" editions of the software, including Standard Recovery, RAID Recovery and Network RAID, will continue to operate according to the existing licensing model, based on software registration codes.

Here’s what users of the professional software need to know about the changes in licensing:

• UFS Explorer Professional Recovery

  The migration in no way affects the functionality and performance of the program, but it does change the way the licenses are ordered and activated. The previous licensing system is no longer compatible with new software releases. Therefore, updating the product to version 10.12 or later requires switching to a Sentinel license. At the same time, the previous licensing model remains valid for versions released before 10.12, so users can keep utilizing them with their existing registration codes if they decide not to upgrade the software.

  The transition to a Sentinel license comes free of charge for all users with an active updates period.

  Users who purchased the software earlier and whose updates period has expired may order a new Sentinel license at a significant discount. The price of the new license will be reduced for them by an amount equal to 50% of the cost of the previous license order.

  The license continues to perpetual, with a 1-year updates period included. The proposed licensing options are as follows:

  • A single-seat license (for €599.95). It allows installing the software on up to 5 workstations, with 1 active session permitted at a time. This license will be optimal for individual data recovery experts or small teams.

  There are also discounted "package" license offerings tailored for organizations:

  • A three-seat license (for €999.95). It supports installation on up to 10 workstations, with up to 3 simultaneous sessions. This variant will be ideal for most data recovery companies.

  • A ten-seat license (for €1,699.95). It makes it possible to install the software on 10 workstations with full concurrent usage – up to 10 active sessions at once. This option will be perfect for larger data recovery companies that need simultaneous access to the software for their teams.

  The 50% discount is also applicable to these "package" offerings, allowing to make the transition considerably more affordable. However, this discount cannot exceed 50% of the cost of the new license(s). For example:

  A company with one Commercial License may upgrade to a three-seat Sentinel license (€999.95) for €700.

  A company with two Commercial Licenses may purchase the same three-seat Sentinel license just for €500.

  All licensing options permit commercial use, making them completely suitable for professional data recovery.

  By default, a license is issued as a Cloud-based license key (Sentinel CL), which is operated online and not bound to specific hardware. However, if requested by the customer, it is also possible to issue an offline Machine License (Sentinel SL) that is tied directly to a specific device. More details on the peculiarities of using different Sentinel license types is available on the Sentinel licensing page.

• UFS Explorer Technician

  The transition to the new licensing system has made this edition of UFS Explorer more accessible for users.

  One of the key changes is the introduction of a new short-term license option, allowing users to purchase a 3-month license at 50% of the regular price – for €399.95. This option may be appealing to users who do not need the software on a permanent basis, enabling substantial cost savings in case of occasional use.

  Moreover, this discount also applies to plugins, making it more affordable to extend the functionality of the software.

How does the transition happen?

After updating your software to version 10.12 or later, you will be prompted to activate your license through the new mechanism. You may purchase this new license online through the general order page on the software website, or contact our support team if you are eligible for a discount or a free transition.

For detailed instructions on license activation, please refer to the Sentinel license management guide.