Standard Perpetual Licence -- expiration?

[stangri]

Hello,

I assumed that the Standard Perpetual Licence would be exactly that -- perpetual, lifetime. However, coming up to the first year of usage I've received an e-mail below:

Maintenance will expire on 27/07/2018 08:47:14 (-07:00). Renew your maintenance by upgrading your key from here http://www.3cx.com/ordering/pricing/3cx-maintenance/.
If you already renewed your maintenance and you still receive this message, go to 3CX Management console > Settings > License and reactivate your license again.
If you let your maintenance expire, you will not be eligible for 3CX updates. Conferencing will stop to work and your FQDN will be deleted.
​

Was it an erroneous e-mail or would I indeed stop receiving any updates and will FQDN stop working a year after first activation of this "Perpetual" licence?

Thanks!

 

[pact]

Hi Stangri,

In previous versions (V12.5 and earlier) there were no additional services which 3CX offered and the Perpetual Licence did keep everything running "forever".

However since 3CX began offering additional services (Webmeeting, FQDN hosting) they have bundled these with the Maintenance component of the Perpetual Licence. (SPLA/Annual licences are always up to date as you must continue to pay for the licence each year.).

So you are able to not renew your licence and the core phone system can continue to operate but you will lose access to the Video Conferencing WebMeeting component and if you are using a 3CX FQDN you will need to change to a manually provided one (and the https certificate components as well).

This is why 3CX are moving all their licencing over to Subscrtiption based, as they continue to add other features which are 'cloud' hosted and not a part of your local system.

Depending on what Channel Count and Licence level you have, 3CX now provide a 4 Channel Standard Annual licence which you could convert your current licence too and then you will continue to get all the Webmeeting and FQDN features without cost.

But if you are Pro or >4 channel you will need to pay.

3CX are continuing to allow Perpetual Maintenance at this stage, but if you let it lapse your only option is to convert it to an Annual licence and pay the higher fee per year.

 

[stangri]

Depending on what Channel Count and Licence level you have, 3CX now provide a 4 Channel Standard Annual licence which you could convert your current licence too and then you will continue to get all the Webmeeting and FQDN features without cost.

Hey, thanks for your prompt and elaborate reply! It's a very small install, the free SC4 Annual licence would be just fine if I could keep up to 8 trunks and the rest of the features I've been enjoying (like 3cx FQDN, automatic SSL certs, etc.).

How do I convert? I've just tried this form: https://www.3cx.com/phone-system/download-phone-system/ however after entering all the data I got the message: "This license key is already on the latest version".

 

[pact]

Hi stangri,

You've found the right form, but as your licence is still valid you will have to request the licence change through a 3CX Partner.

Did you purchase the key from someone? They should be able to get the key converted for you.

 

[stangri]

3CX now provide a 4 Channel Standard Annual licence which you could convert your current licence too and then you will continue to get all the Webmeeting and FQDN features without cost.

That's just for 1 year, right, not forever?

 

[stangri]

but as your licence is still valid you will have to request the licence change through a 3CX Partner.

No, I've received the key directly from 3cx. No partner was involved.

 

[pact]

Hi stangri,

At this stage the 'Free' Annual 4SC Licence is forever.

 

[stangri]

Hi stangri,

At this stage the 'Free' Annual 4SC Licence is forever.

The converted license I've received says it's only valid for a year. How do I renew it in a year?

 

[cobaltit]

@stangri No one can answer that question (including 3CX). Currently the believe is it will be 'free' so you may have to complete some form of registration or validation but basically this new iteration of the 'free' license hasn't been around for a year yet so who knows. And it may change again before your renewal comes due. Honestly I'd look at it like getting a free year with the expectation you'll have to pay something a year from now. Course you no longer have the perpetual license now.....

 

[complex1]

Hi,

Maybe I am wrong, but you still can renew you’re 4SC Std Perpetual license for a year.
https://www.3cx.com/ordering/pricing/3cx-maintenance/
Just renew a 4SC for one of my customers.
Ask your 3CX Partner for it.

 

[stangri]

Course you no longer have the perpetual license now.....

Wasn't any good for me as it started to require me to pay to keep FQDN and SSL.

Just renew a 4SC for one of my customers.
Ask your 3CX Partner for it.

You don't mean for free, do you?

 

[Marko Sipilä]

Hi Stangri,

Maintenance is applicable on Perpetual licences only and entitles you to one year of free updates, tested phone firmwares, security updates and the smartphone clients (which are licensed by year only and require valid maintenance). It also includes new versions (eg 14 to 15).

If you do not renew your maintenance in the grace period of 90 days either, and you would want to upgrade the system later on, the only option then would be to convert your perpetual license to an annual one.

You will receive an automatic email from us when the renewal of the license is due with instructions how to proceed. You can also see the expiration date in the management console. At the moment our 4SC Standard annual licenses remain free and operational, even after the expiry date.

I hope this clarified the issue.

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

Hello @FlaTech

Do you have a Perpetual 4SC or an Annual 4SC?

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

Now it shows as Annual 4SC

You should also see the expiration date of the key, which if annual it will drop to 4SC Standard version and auto renew so you should be able to install a new system using that key.

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

Please note that 4SC is free and does not need renewing. You need to "renew" it only if you need to upgrade it to more simultaneous calls or to a PRO or ENT licence.

 

[YiannisH_3CX]

The free version of the PBX is a standard licence that includes 16 SC. After one year if the licence is not renewed then it will fallback to 4SC standard.
4SC licences are only available for purchase in PRO and Enterprise versions.
https://www.3cx.com/ordering/pricing/