Office of Information Technology (OIT) > UTools Software & Applications > Key Definitions
Key Definitions
- Individual License
- Unless stated in the specific software license restrictions, an individual license can only be installed on one computer. Most of our licenses at the University of Minnesota are strictly for computers owned by the University of Minnesota. Some licenses allow for installation on up to two computers as well as purchase of and installation on individually owned computers.
- Department License
- In reference to software licenses, a department is defined as one entity within a college or administrative unit. For example, OIT Computer Labs is a department within the Office of Information Technology. Unless otherwise stated in the specific software license restrictions, a departmental software license allows the installation of the software on all computers owned by the department from the University of Minnesota. The advantages of a departmental license include:
- Ensures the department is compliant with software vendor regulations.
- Increases IT efficiency and encourages standardization. IT staff are able to add the software image to their departmental software image and install it on all computers owned by the department.
- Increases administration efficiency. Departments are able to place one software order for the entire unit, which increases administration time and record keeping.
- Cost savings.
- Collegiate/Administrative Unit License
- In reference to software licenses, a college or administrative unit includes all departments within that unit. Unless otherwise stated in the specific software license restrictions, a collegiate/administration unit software license allows the installation of the software on all computers owned by the collegiate/administrative unit from the University of Minnesota. The advantages of a collegiate/administrative license include:
- Ensures the collegiate/administrative unit is compliant with software vendor regulations.
- Increases IT efficiency and encourages standardization. IT staff are able to add the software image to their collegiate/administrative unit software image and install it on all computers owned by the department.
- Increases administration efficiency. College/administrative units are able to place one software order for the entire unit, which decreases administration time and record keeping.
- Cost savings.
- Perpetual Use License
- This is a software license that allows the licensee the right to ongoing and indefinite use of the particular purchased licensed version of software that cannot be abridged or negated.
- Personal Purchase License
- This is a software license that is to be purchased with personal (non-University of Minnesota) funds to be used for academic purposes on a personally (non-University of Minnesota) owned computer. Not all of our licenses allow for this type of purchase.
- Software License vs. Software
- Purchasing a software license allows you to use a software program for a set amount of time. A license may or may not include updates to new versions. Purchasing software (with no mention of "license"), refers to a software product that was most likely purchased through a retail source. The user can use the purchased version of that software indefinitely, and there probably is no access to upgrades. All software or software licenses purchased or licensed through the OIT Software License Program will be a software license.
- Faculty/Staff Work Computer
- Means that this license is for installation on a computer that has been purchased with University of Minnesota Funds and the computer must currently be owned by the University of Minnesota.
- End User License Agreement (EULA)
- Most applications require users to agree to the EULA terms during the installation process. The EULA limits the developers liability and explains how the software is licensed.
- Evaluation Version
- This is a version of a software product that can be installed and evaluated by the end user prior to purchase; also known as a "Shareware" version, a "Trialware" version, or a "Try-Before-You-Buy" version.
- Full Download
- This is a fully-functional licensed version of a software application that does not contain any evaluation limitations or restrictions.
- Registration
- This is the process of unlocking an evaluation version and turning it into a fully-functional and licensed version. Also refers to the process of purchasing an appropriate license.
- Per Computer
- This means one license for each computer the software is loaded on.
- Per User
- This allows users to use software on "home" and "work" computers.
