Some products are licensed as a subscription model. In the subscription model, the customer pays an annual fee. That fee includes the right to use the product, free updates when a new version is released, the appropriate update component(s) and technical support. Some products in the subscription model also carry multi-year discount options.
Upgrading from a previous version
Please note that by upgrading to the latest version, your software maintenance agreement will change to a subscription service (should the subscription model apply). An annual subscription fee will be due each year for the product to remain active. By upgrading your product you will NOT be able to revert to an older version of the product.
Subscription FAQ
What does this change mean to existing GFI customers?
Existing GFI customers are not affected in any way as long as they continue to use previous versions of their product. The switch to subscription license only happens once customers upgrade to the latest version and the subscription model applies to that product. The following GFI products are available by subscription:
- GFI LanGuard®
- GFI MailEssentials®
- GFI WebMonitor®
- GFI FaxMaker
- GFI Archiver
- Kerio Connect
- Kerio Control
If the subscription expires, can the product be accessed at all?
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GFI LanGuard:
Once the subscription expires there is a 10 days grace period. If the subscription is not renewed – the product will stop working. Customers will not be able to access GFI LanGuard console anymore unless they renew their subscription and introduce a new license key.
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GFI MailEssentials:
Once the subscription expires there is a 30 days grace period with ample notifications from 30 days prior expiration. If the subscription is not renewed – the product will stop working. GFI MailEssentials will stop blocking email and your email protection will stop. Mail flow is not affected.
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GFI WebMonitor:
30 days before the subscription expires, a notification will appear in the product to inform customers of the upcoming renewal. Once the subscription expires there is a 15 days grace period. If the subscription is not renewed – the product will stop working.
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GFI FaxMaker:
Once the subscription expires, there is a 10 days grace period. If the subscription is not renewed – outbound faxes and outbound SMS are blocked. Customers will not be able to send faxes/SMS anymore, unless they renew their subscription and introduce a new license key. Incoming faxes/SMS are unaffected.
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GFI Archiver:
Once the subscription expires, there is a 30 days grace period with ample notifications from 30 days prior expiration. If the subscription is not renewed , GFI Archiver will stop archiving new emails, files calendar items and searching will also be disabled unless the subscription is renewed and a new license key is inserted.
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Kerio Connect:
Once the subscription expires, there is a 30 days grace period. If the subscription is not renewed customers are not able to access the webmail and or send/receive emails unless the subscription is renewed.
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Kerio Control:
Once the subscription expires there is a 30 days grace period. If the subscription is not renewed customers are not able to change the configuration and most protection features are disabled such as WebFilter, AV, IPS and the VPN tunnels. Access to the configuration is also blocked unless a valid active license is provided.
If a subscription is renewed after expiration, does the product have to be re-installed / re-configured?
No. Customers will receive a new license key that they can set it in the product. Functionality will resume immediately.
Can existing accounts remain on the old version? Even after renewing SMA?
Customers can choose not to upgrade to the latest release of their product as long as they have a valid SMA. Once they renew, the new license key will not work with previous versions and they will need to upgrade to the latest release in order to continue to use the product.