Webinar

Flexibility Meets Scalability: Why Dev Teams Are Moving to InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS)

Discover how InstallShield CLS empowers dev teams with flexible, scalable cloud licensing and seamless on-prem to cloud transitions.

Original Air Date: March 27, 2025

In this Webinar

Overview

If you're a software producer navigating the complexities of modern licensing, this webinar is a must-watch. Join Caitlin Kavanagh, Product Marketer at Revenera, alongside Crispin Luxton, Co-founder of TLUX Technologies, and Rob Neff, Director of Global Inside Sales at Revenera, as they unpack why development teams are rapidly adopting InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS). 

You'll gain clarity on how InstallShield (CLS) simplifies cloud adoption, bridges legacy and modern build environments, and supports hybrid licensing models without disrupting your existing workflows. Learn how CLS helps streamline DevOps, reduce infrastructure overhead, and future-proof your software delivery pipeline. The session dives into real-world use cases from industries like energy and manufacturing, showing how teams have cut costs, improved agility, and scaled licensing with confidence. 

Whether you're managing hundreds of SKUs or transitioning to cloud-native builds, this webinar offers practical insights and actionable strategies. Discover how InstallShield (CLS) supports Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud—giving you the flexibility to pivot as your business evolves. Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from experts who work inside the engine rooms of global software operations.

Recap

Key Themes and Takeaways

What Is InstallShield CLS and Why It Matters

InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) is introduced as a transformative solution for software producers looking to modernize their licensing infrastructure. The speakers explain how CLS eliminates the need for physical license servers, supports hybrid environments, and enables seamless transitions from on-prem to cloud-based systems. This sets the stage for understanding how CLS can streamline DevOps and reduce operational overhead.

Flexibility and Scalability in Licensing

The webinar emphasizes how InstallShield Cloud License Server empowers development teams with the flexibility to scale licensing across multiple cloud providers—including Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud—without being locked into a single ecosystem. This flexibility is especially valuable for organizations undergoing mergers, acquisitions, or shifts in cloud strategy, allowing them to pivot without rearchitecting their licensing model.

Legacy Support Without Sacrificing Innovation

One of the standout features of InstallShield (CLS) is its ability to support legacy software builds while enabling modern cloud-based development. The speakers highlight how companies can maintain older versions of their products without compromising security or functionality, making CLS a practical solution for teams managing large catalogs of SKUs and heritage applications.

Real-World Use Cases and Business Impact

Two compelling case studies are shared: a multinational power company and a building industry firm. These examples illustrate how InstallShield (CLS) helped reduce infrastructure costs, simplify license management, and support strategic decisions around product upgrades and sunset planning. The real-world insights provide tangible proof of CLS’s value in diverse operational contexts.

Automation and DevOps Integration

InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) is positioned as a key enabler of automation in build environments. The speakers discuss how it supports dynamic and virtualized build pipelines, helping teams avoid manual license management and reduce deployment risks. This is especially relevant for organizations adopting agile methodologies and continuous integration practices.

Security and Compliance Advantages

Security concerns around outdated licensing models are addressed, with CLS offering a more secure and compliant alternative. By removing the need for physical license servers and centralizing license check-in/check-out processes, InstallShield Cloud License Server reduces the risk of data exposure and simplifies patching and maintenance.

Cloud Provider Agnosticism

CLS’s cloud-agnostic architecture is highlighted as a major advantage. Whether a company is fully committed to Azure or exploring other providers like Google Cloud, CLS adapts to their needs. This future-proofing capability ensures that licensing infrastructure won’t become a bottleneck as business strategies evolve.

Best Practices for CLS Adoption

The webinar wraps up with actionable guidance on aligning InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) adoption with business strategy. Topics include balancing internal development needs with client requirements, managing legacy support, and building a maturity model for cloud licensing. These best practices help software producers make informed decisions and maximize the value of CLS.

Speakers

Crispin Luxton

Crispin Luxton
CEO and VP of Business Development
TLUX Technologies

Rob Neff

Robb Neff
Director, AdminStudio and InstallShield
Revenera

Frequently Asked Questions

A Cloud License Server (CLS) is a cloud-based solution that centralizes license management, eliminating the need for physical license servers. It allows software teams to streamline DevOps workflows, reduce infrastructure overhead, and manage licenses across hybrid environments. CLS supports multiple cloud providers and legacy systems, making it easier to scale and adapt to changing business needs. This flexibility helps teams future-proof their licensing strategy while improving operational efficiency.

CLS is designed to work seamlessly across both cloud and on-premise environments, allowing software producers to manage legacy applications alongside modern cloud-native builds. It supports gradual transitions rather than requiring a full migration, which is ideal for teams with diverse product portfolios. This hybrid capability ensures continuity and minimizes disruption while enabling long-term modernization. Teams can retain legacy support while adopting cloud infrastructure at their own pace.

Yes, InstallShield (CLS) significantly reduces the cost and complexity associated with managing physical license servers. By moving license check-in/check-out processes to the cloud, teams eliminate the need for maintaining dedicated hardware and applying security patches. This shift also reduces the risk of downtime and simplifies compliance. Software producers benefit from lower operational overhead and more predictable licensing workflows.

InstallShield (CLS) is cloud-agnostic and fully compatible with leading providers including Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud Platform. This means software teams can choose or switch cloud providers without needing to overhaul their licensing infrastructure. The flexibility to pivot between providers supports evolving business strategies and mergers or acquisitions. CLS ensures licensing remains consistent and scalable regardless of the cloud environment.

InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) integrates smoothly with automated build environments, supporting both static and dynamic configurations. It enables license management to be embedded into DevOps pipelines, reducing manual intervention and deployment risks. Teams can automate builds across multiple operating systems and cloud platforms, improving speed and reliability. This helps software producers maintain agility and consistency in their release cycles.

InstallShield (CLS) offers enhanced security by removing the need for physical license servers and centralizing license management in the cloud. It reduces exposure to vulnerabilities associated with outdated infrastructure and simplifies patching and compliance. CLS also ensures that sensitive data and project files remain protected, as only license transactions are handled by the cloud service. This makes it a safer and more scalable solution for modern software teams.

Yes, InstallShield (CLS) is designed to support legacy software builds without forcing teams to upgrade every project. This is especially useful for organizations with large catalogs of SKUs or older applications that still serve critical functions. Teams can make minor changes—like registry updates or shortcuts—without migrating to newer versions. CLS allows software producers to balance innovation with stability, maintaining productivity across all product lines.

InstallShield Cloud License Server (CLS) simplifies release management by centralizing license operations and supporting multiple product versions. It enables teams to manage frequent releases, hotfixes, and patches without disrupting licensing workflows. This is particularly valuable for organizations with quarterly release cycles or complex versioning requirements. CLS helps ensure that licensing keeps pace with development, reducing bottlenecks and improving time-to-market.

CLS supports agile methodologies by enabling flexible, scalable licensing across distributed teams. It reduces dependency on individual team members for license management and supports collaborative workflows. Teams can build, test, and deploy software more efficiently, even across multiple environments. This fosters better alignment between development, operations, and business goals.

InstallShield (CLS) provides a future-proof licensing solution by supporting cloud migration, hybrid environments, and multiple cloud providers. It adapts to changing business needs, including mergers, acquisitions, and shifts in technology strategy. Software producers can start small with proof-of-concept deployments and scale as needed. With CLS, licensing becomes a strategic enabler rather than a technical constraint.

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