Spread.NET & Spread COM Licensing & FAQ

A: Spread.NET and Spread COM are licensed per developer. The trial version allows you to experiment with Spread to evaluate all of the features for 30 days without a product key. To unlock Spread for production, you need to purchase a product key for each developer and each build machine. See the Pricing page for details.

A: Annual Maintenance provides you with unlimited technical support through ticket submission and phone, but it also entitles you to download any major releases that are made public within one year following your purchase. This is the most cost-effective way to ensure that you have the latest features. If you do not renew your license and we release a new version, you can get the new version via upgrade pricing, but it's less expensive to renew before your license has expired. Please note that maintenance is not available for Spread COM.

Note: Service Packs, which contain bug fixes, are freely available to everyone that owns that release. A major release, by contrast, increments the version number and usually contains new features and enhancements.

A: Yes. You need a separate license for your build machines.

A: No. Spread includes royalty-free redistribution. As long as your customers are using Spread as part of your application, they do not need a license. Anyone who has design time access (the ability to code) will need to own a license. The assemblies required to run Spread may be included as part of your product installation at no additional cost. Please refer to the EULA for detailed information.

A: No. The SpreadDesigner component for run-time deployment of the Spread Designer tool is included with the Spread for WinForms. You can deploy applications created with this component to your end users and they can use it to create or edit spreadsheets.
Note that the Spread Designer applications (.exe) are not redistributable.

A: For new purchases, you will receive your key with your order. If you have an active annual maintenance plan, the new version license key(s) will be automatically accessible on your accounts My Licenses page when a new major version is released. If you don't see the new key(s) on the My Licenses page, please reach out to our sales team at us.sales@mescius.com for assistance.

A: No. You will need to have internet access to use the default method to activate your license key. However, there are alternate modes of activation available which include phone, email and alternate machine activation. Please refer the online user manual to get more details for the processes.

A: Once you have purchased a license, you can activate the key using the License Manager.

A: No. Each version of Spread has a different license key. You need a license key for the new version if you want to start using it. Please contact the sales team at us.sales@mescius.com and we will be glad to help you.

A: If you have purchased a license for a new version of Spread, but you require an earlier version of the product in your application, please submit a support ticket. We will be glad to provide you with the version of the product that you need.

A: There are various ways to get support. The Spread Forums have an active customer base who respond to posts quite regularly. The technical support team also responds to the questions on the forums. In case you have a question that is urgent, you can submit a ticket through our online support portal. The team will be glad to help you with your query.

A: In addition to the ticket submission and forum support provided to licensed users, you can purchase an Annual Maintenance subscription to receive telephone access to the technical support team. This subscription also entitles you to download major release versions of the product for one year. Major releases contain new features and product enhancements. You are guaranteed one new version.

A: Volume discount and other sales promotions vary or can change. Please contact the sales team at us.sales@mescius.com for the latest discounts and promotions.

A: Your best point of contact for any questions related to licensing and sales will be the sales team. They are available by email at us.sales@mescius.com or on the phone at (412) 681-4343.

A: If you have used up all your activations you will need to deactivate the license from one of your machines. You can do this through the License Manager. Please note the license agreement is one copy per developer. If you have more than one developer working with a license you need to purchase additional copies. Please contact sales at us.sales@mescius.com.

A: Yes. Spread can be installed in a Virtual Machine. Please note, Spread is provided on a per developer seat license. If you need to install Spread for many developers, you must purchase the requisite numbers of license keys before installing the product for your team.