Not sure if True Image 9 is right for the task

I run a computer service business. I'd like to be able to backup a customer's hard drives before working on them. With TI 9, would this require a user license for each customer? Once the repair is finished I would not be retaining the backup and would not leave TI installed on their system.

Or is the enterprise workstation version a better match for this?

In any case, I'd like to avoid having to buy a license for each customer, as this would not be cost effective and I have no way of knowing whether the customer will be a repeat or a one time shot.

 

My own interpretation of the license (please correct me if you think I am wrong) is that the software is licensed for a single machine and is transferrable. Therefore if you install on machine 1, produce an image and uninstall I believe you would be within your rights to reinstall on machine 2 and do the same. A couple of caveats though :

1. As soon as you reach a situation where you have the s/w installed/running on more than one machine (even temporarily) you are breaking the license agreement.
2. If you use the boot disk (say to restore a customer's image) that too requires a license, unless you do not have the software installed on another machine.

 

Do what other shops do: Make the customer responsible for their own data backups - let them sign a disclaimer. Why heck, even Best Buy will sometimes erase a customer's drive without letting them know - happened to someone right in my area.

 

Technically you are correct but Garydj is trying to do something that everybody moans about but nobody wants to pay for - provide a superior level of service. I fix some friend's computers and it terrifies me that they have all of their pictures, documents etc on their system with no backup whatsoever.

Unfortunately, a lot of the time the system is so screwed up that you couldn't do a backup if you wanted to without removing the HD and putting it in another system.

Garydj needs to speak to the Acronis sales people about how they can best provide a licensing scheme for his purposes.

 

That would violate the license.

The license specifically states

"The license is to the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without prior written permission from Acronis."

In any case, it is the customer's responsibility to have their own back up software, not yours. If they are stupid enough to allow someone to work on their computer without theit having first done a backup, too bad.

But to cover your arse, you must state, in writing, that the customer is responsible for the backup.

 

Hypothically speaking...

"Have Boot Disk; Will Travel" to paraphrase an old TV program

TI is installed to create boot disk. Acronis is uninstalled and never reinstalled.

How many PC's can I now backup ( and may never have to restore ) using this Boot Disk that has no PC associated with it?

Client wants computer fixed due to misconfiguration, bad/aborted installs/uninstalls, malware, viruses, trojans, mindless deletion of O/S files yada, yada, yada - and you except them to have backups, backups that would actually work, backups that wouldn't reinfect... duh?

The point is mute in my case as nearly all my users have TI8 (not 9). It is a matter between you and your clients and not you and Acronis. It is a matter of how you sell yourself and your services.

Solution is absolutely eligant and simple. Depending on your hourly rate: base your fee for looking at the PC to include the supply and installation of an imaging and/or backup software package such a TI. It can be less than 1 billable hour of your time and installs in less than 10 minutes. Bill for 1 hour diagnostics and include a fully licenced and registered TI for free including documention of the on-line purchase, reg # and set up there own personal TI account so that they can get updates.

I would do the same when I find they have no physical firewall or virus scanner ( XP firewall doesn't count as I want to see my client with an out bound firewill too ) so sell it to them, get them to install a freebee software firewall, or tell them to go to Best-Buy otherwise they will be paying you again. Lots of freebee malware/virus scanners and firewalls. Install them for your client and bill them. Or sell them commercial versions and install it and bill them. They are vulnerable, they see the consequences of their inaction and will be prepared to not go through this agrevation again.

To quote TV again - "You can pay me now; or pay me later"

If the client can't deal with that up front I don't want them as a client. I want their repeat business and I want them to tell their frends and neighbors that I'm their computer guy and they get super service.

Take care of the client first and the money takes care of itself.

Thus ends my sermon for today

 

Hello everyone,

Thank you for your interest in Acronis Disk Backup Software.

Please be aware that according to Acronis software licensing policy, you should purchase one copy of Acronis program per every computer where it will be used.

This means that the license is not transferable and so you should purchase one copy of Acronis program per every computer where it will be used. The same applies to Bootable Rescue CD.

However, we have a flexible system of discounts and the amount of the discount varies depending on the number of copies you want to purchase.

We also provide special pricing for the organizations like Garydj's or Tsu's (OEM, resellers, etc.).

In case you are interested in purchasing many copies of Acronis software or some special pricing\licensing then please contact our Sales Team at sales@acronis.com. In this way you will be able to discuss the details with the respective sales person.

Thank you.
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Alexey Popov