Below are some of the frequently asked questions put to us by component builders interested in including their products on our European CD. If you have a software component that you think could be distributed on one of our CDs, please call our European Sales office on:
Q - Why is ComponentSource relevant to me?
A - Commercially, the problems for the component market up until now have revolved round cost, distribution and support. ComponentSource believes it is the first in the market to properly address these issues, and its products will be a major force in stimulating the inevitable boom in demand for components. Initially, the business is focused on establishing itself as 'The' supplier of software components to the software industry, offering a superior level of product choice, information, education, accessibility and support. All this being made available on currently the most convenient and robust media, CD-ROM.
The ComponentSource CD offers developers the unique ability to first browse through the available products, try out demonstrations or read in-depth product descriptions and once completely satisfied, INSTANTLY BUY straight from the CD.
For component builders, ComponentSource offers the opportunity to market products to visual developers throughout Europe. Through our freely distributed CD ROM products, developers will be able to identify what products exist, and see what a product looks like before they buy, thus maximising customer satisfaction.
Q - How can people buy my products instantly from the ComponentSource CD?
A - The CD contains encrypted, full retail versions of your products. Once a user has given us valid credit card details, we issue a unique 'unlock' key for each product purchased which subsequently decrypts, downloads and unpacks the full retail versions immediately. The key is unique every time and cannot be used again to un-lock the software - even for the same product, the same credit card number and the same CD.
Q - How is my software protected on the CD?
A - The encryption method is unique to ComponentSource and is the result of in-depth study of the currently available encryption technologies such as IDEA and DES3. If you would like us to encrypt one of your products and send it back to you to test - we would be happy to oblige.
Q - Which other vendors have already participated?
A - Here are some companies that have used ComponentSource to distribute their products and who you may wish to contact: 20/20 Software, Aardvark Software Inc., Abrisoft Inc., Academus AS, Access Softek, Access to Business, ADDSoft, AFD Computing, American Cybernetics Inc., APEX Software, Apiary, Attachmate, Avanti Software, Axtel Inc., Bannister S., BC Soft, Bennet-Tec Information Systems Inc., Bits per Second, Black Moshannon Systems, Blue Marble Geographics, Blue Sky Software, Brainstorm Technologies, Business Online (UK) Ltd., Bytech Business Systems Inc., Chapter One, Classic Software, Crescent Division of Progress Software Corp., Cypress Software Inc., Data Dynamics, Data Techniques Inc. DBS Gmbh, Desaware, DFL - Ingenierie Informatique, Diamond Head Software, Distinct Corporation, dL Soft, Eicon Technology Ltd., Farpoint Technologies, ForeFront, FutureSoft, Gamesman Inc., Genus Microprogramming Inc., GeoSoft Ltd., GigaSoft Inc., Global Magic Software, Great Lakes Business Solutions, Greenleaf Software Inc., Heiler Software, Hypercube Inc., ImageFX, Innoview, IST Inc., Kelro, Keylink Computers Ltd., Knowledge Garden Inc., Larcom And Young, LBMS Inc., Learning Freedom, Lenel Systems International, London Software, Mabry Software, Marquis Computing Inc., Media Architects, MicroEdge Inc., MicroGold Software, MicroHelp Inc., Microsoft Corporation, OmniSoft, Orion Imaging, Outlook Software, Outrider Systems Inc., Pinnacle Publishing, PLACE Inc., Pronexus, ProtoView Development Corp., Quinn-Curtis Inc., R&R Software (Concentric Data Systems), Seagate Software IMG UK Ltd., Sequiter Software, Shatalmic Company, Sheridan Software Systems Inc., Significa Software, SilverWare Inc., SmithWare, Soffront Software Inc., Software Interphase, Software Source, SolutionSoft, Spinoza Ltd, Starbase Corp, Stingray Software Inc., Sylvain Faust Inc., Sylvan Ascent Inc., Symbiotic Information Systems Corporation, Synectics Solutions Ltd., Synergy Software Technologies, Systems Software Technology Inc., TechSmith Corporation, Teknowledge Corporation, Teletech Systems Inc., TeraTech, TMS Inc., Transcender Corporation, TVObjects Corporation, Universal Dynamics, Videosoft, Visionshape - Decomp Division, Visual Components Inc., Visual Software Engineering, Westec Networks Ltd., Western Wares, Whippleware and Wintertree Software Inc.
Q - How and when do I get paid and when do you notify us of sales made?
A - Full customer details such as Name, Address and Telephone Number are supplied to you, at the end of each week so that all your customers are registered automatically.
At the end of each month a full financial report of all software licensed in that month is supplied.
At the end of the following month a check (US Dollars or UK Pounds) is sent to you as payment less, our Commission. For example, you receive payment for a January sale at the end of February.
Q - Is there a charge to be included on the CD?
A - We charge a fee for each product included on a ComponentSource CD. Call our European sales office for details: +44 (0) 118 958 1111
Q - How much commission do I have to pay ComponentSource for each product they sell?
A - Our commission rate varies depending on product. For more details contact our European sales office on: +44 (0) 118 958 1111
Q - Can I just put my Demos on the CD?
A - Our intention is to create the definitive source of software components. Our users must know that they have the ability to buy any product that they see on the CD. However, there are circumstances where only demonstrations may be included. Call our European sales office for more details: +44 (0) 118 958 1111
Q - Can I have a sample copy of the ComponentSource CD?
A - Yes of course, just Email us your request and we will send you our latest CD issue free of charge.
Q - Do you charge for the ComponentSource CD's?
A - We are distributing CD's FREE of charge to our European member database. Prior to sending CDs we conduct comprehensive telephone interviews to understand both the organisation and the key contacts within them. ComponentSource is a serious tool, for serious developers and by doing this we ensure that our products are delivered to those people who are likely to need them and use them!
Q - Does ComponentSource have a formal Reseller Agreement for both parties to sign?
A - Yes, we will be happy to discuss our standard Terms of Business with you should you wish to proceed.
Q - What you will need to supply
For details on what you need to supply to include your software component on our next CD please telephone: