Software Escrow Validation / Verification
Assurance that your Escrow deposit is complete & accurate
SES understands that the vast majority of organisations are heavily reliant on 3rd party Software Owners to develop and maintain their critical business applications and business process tools.
Although SES provides Basic Deposit Reporting on all Escrow deposits as standard to ensure the source code held under the Escrow Agreement is accessible and virus free, this entry-level testing does not enable SES to provide tangible assurances as to the complete or accurate nature of the source code or the integrity of any build documentation that the Software Owner may choose to deposit.
Further validation options
To provide independent build documentation and evidence that the source code and other material held under each Escrow agreement compromises a complete and usable deposit, SES has developed a series of source code Validation Testing options.
As the specific product knowledge and skills required to maintain and deploy your software most commonly resides with your Software Owner, or often more specifically a key developer within the software owner’s organisation, it will be almost impossible to redeploy your software application in the event of vendor failure.
SES has the technical expertise necessary to work with these key software owners to conduct a range of audio and visual knowledge capture exercises designed around the needs of its clients. On completion of each exercise, a detailed independent report often referred to by our clients as a "Build Manual" is compiled and placed into Escrow along with the validated code deposit.
Contact us today for further information or a free quotation.
Code Validation
Code Validation involves the Software Developer (Licensor) rebuilding the application in their own environment. The SES testing consultant witnesses the full rebuild of the application via a secure remote connection and documents the entire process. (This process can also be completed with the SES testing consultant on-site at the Licensors premises if required).
The independent report compiled by the SES testing consultant coupled with the audio and visual recording of the build enables you or a third party to accurately redeploy your software application in the event of a release.
Code & Deployment Validation
Like Code Validation, Code & Deployment Validation involves an SES testing consultant witnessing the Licensor complete a full rebuild of the application in their own environment and compiling an independent report to document the entire process. However, an additional benefit of this service is the simulated release event which demonstrates the build documentation is sufficient for a Software Developer to rebuild the application upon release.
For applications which are revenue generating, business-critical, bespoke or highly customised, SES would always recommend performing Code & Deployment Validation Testing as it is the only form of Validation Testing which provides complete assurance that the Escrow deposit can be swiftly and accurately redeployed whilst minimising downtime in the event of a release.
Clients we've helped
Software Escrow tailored to your business
At SES we have broken our core Software Escrow services into four distinct service levels to make it easier for our customers to choose the right protection for their business. All of our Escrow Agreements can be used to protect both on-premise and hosted software applications, are secured to ISO: 27001 standards and include the highest liability indemnity insurance available (£5 million).
Already have an Escrow Agreement in place with another supplier? Our Free Transfer Offer enables you to transfer your existing Escrow portfolio to SES at no additional cost. There are no setup fees and SES will manage the entire process on your behalf.
Level 1 - Basic
Level 2 - Code Validation
Level 3 - Code & Deployment Validation
Level 4 - Continuity 365
Our expertise. Your questions answered
Why do I need a Software Escrow Agreement?
For End Users of business-critical applications, a Software Escrow Agreement protects you against the developer of your business-critical applications no longer being able to support their applications.
For Software Developers, an Escrow Agreement helps build credibility and trust that you have your clients interests at heart.
How does a Software Escrow Agreement work?
In its simplest form, an Escrow Agreement is a tri-party agreement between an End User, a Software Developer and a third party Software Escrow Agent. The Developer licenses the application to the End User as usual but also deposits a copy of the source code for the application and any other material required to accurately redeploy the application into Escrow which can then be released to the End User if a release event contained within the Escrow Agreement is triggered.
How much does a Software Escrow Agreement cost?
The answer to this is entirely dependent on the level of protection you need. SES offers a range of Software Escrow Agreements depending on how many clients will be added to the agreement (for Software Developers), how many business-critical applications the agreement will be used to cover (for End Users) and whether the application/s in question is installed on-premise or delivered through a SaaS model.