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When generating new CD-ROM products using the Pathways CD-ROM Publisher software, publishers will have
the option of placing any or all of their publications on a single CD-ROM. The electronic database products
produced may then be sold using a number of pricing options that are fully supported by the Pathways
software. These pricing options allow publishers to develop and distribute a single CD-ROM product,
while limiting access to certain functions, or groups of data, based on the price a customer pays. Access
is limited based on the serial number that has been assigned to the buyer.
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As each customer purchases a CD-ROM product, the publisher's staff enters the buyer information into
a database. The Pathways system then assigns a unique serial number based on the purchase options selected
by the individual buyer. Here are some examples of the types of pricing options available to publishers
of CD-ROM products.
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Publishers may develop CD-ROM products that
contain multiple publications. Individual buyers
can be restricted so that they are only allowed
access to specific publications on the CD-ROM.
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Publishers may limit the types of data that
each buyer can view, use for selection, or
export. As an example, buyers may purchase
access to company addressing information,
but
not access or use of any product or
financial information that is held in the database.
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Publishers may limit the type of functions that each
buyer can perform using the CD. Buyers
can be
given "view only" access, restricting them so that
they are only allowed to view companies
and
their associated data on the CD. Options are
also available that allow buyers to select
subsets
of the data, produce mailing labels, or
export data from the database.
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Publishers may distribute both active and
demonstration copies of the CD-ROM product.
Demonstration copies are full working copies
of the product that limit the amount of time the
prospective buyer can use the product. If after
using the demonstration copy, a prospective buyer
wishes to purchase an active version of the
product, the publisher need only assign a new
serial number to the customer. It is not necessary
to send a new CD-ROM to the customer.
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Publishers may limit buyers so that they must
run the software directly from the CD-ROM.
Another option allows buyers to install the
data and software on a network drive.
By allowing
buyers to purchase a network version,
the publisher can sell a version that will allow
concurrent
access to the product by multiple users.
When selling network versions of the CD-ROM
product,
the publisher can limit the number of
concurrent users that will be allowed.
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To aid Publisher's in selling new functionality or data access, the software will display a message
anytime a buyer attempts to use a function or access data that is not allowed by their license. When
creating the CD-ROM product, the publisher is allowed to enter sales contact information. This information
is displayed along with the message. If a buyer would like to purchase additional capabilities or data
access for an electronic product, they can call or email the sales contact using the information displayed.
When selling new capabilities to buyers, the publisher need only supply them with a new serial number
to allow the desired access. It will not be necessary for the user to reinstall any software, or for
the publisher to re-distribute a new CD-ROM product.
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Publishers may also generate revenue by selling sponsorships to their CD-ROM product. For those companies
that sponsor a CD-ROM product, the software can display advertising graphical files or advertorial information
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