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Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Upgrade Protection (AUP)

Wondering what is AUP, how does it work, do you really need it, and what happens if you don't have it? Here you'll find the answers to these questions and other software maintenance and upgrade protection issues. If after reading this FAQ you have a question that we haven't answered, drop us a line, and we'll get you the information you need.

Question: What is Annual Upgrade Protection?

Answer: Annual Upgrade Protection (AUP) is optional coverage that ensures that you receive every Software Maintenance update and any Software Upgrades we release during your AUP coverage period. With the AUP, these Stylus Studio® updates and upgrades are free. You do not have to pay an additional upgrade license fee to stay current with CRN Magazine's Product of the Year.

Question: What products are eligible for AUP coverage?

Answer: We offer AUP coverage programs for Stylus Studio® XML Enterprise Suite, Stylus Studio® XML Professional Suite, and DataDirect XML Converters. We do not offer AUP for Stylus Studio® XML Home Edition.

Question: What is the AUP coverage period?

Answer: AUP coverage is for one year from date of purchase and must be renewed annually in order to stay in effect. You can purchase additional years of AUP anytime during the coverage period. Maintaining current AUP coverage is more cost effective than purchasing an upgraded version of a product at full price. It is also a way to accurately budget for software upgrades and treat them as annual business expenses, rather than periodically funding large purchases.

Question: How do I renew my AUP coverage?

Answer: Stylus Studio® typically sends you email 30 days prior to your AUP expiration date to remind you that it's time to renew. When you're ready to renew, you can follow the hyperlink in that email, or you can contact a Stylus Studio® representative by telephone at 781.280.4488, or by email.

Question: What are Software Maintenance Updates?

Answer: The Stylus Studio® team makes periodic software maintenance updates to Stylus Studio® to correct errors, provide enhancements, or improve performance. A software maintenance update is defined as a new build for the current version of the product that results in a patch, bug fix, updated documentation, or improved performance.

Question: What are Software Upgrades?

Answer: A software upgrade is defined as a new release of Stylus Studio® that substantially enhances the functionality of the product and/or results in a change to the release number of the product (for example, Stylus Studio® 2006 Release 2 to Stylus Studio® 2006 Release 3). You are required to purchase an AUP in order to receive free upgrades to a newer release of Stylus Studio®.

Question: What happens if I choose not to purchase AUP?

Answer: If you choose not to purchase the AUP, but are a registered Stylus Studio® user, you are entitled to any software maintenance updates to the release of Stylus Studio® you have purchased. For example, if you purchased Stylus Studio® 2006 XML Enterprise Edition, Release 1, you will be able to download subsequent software builds for that release (for example, Stylus Studio® 2006 XML Enterprise Edition, Release 1, build 501i, 501j, 501k...) for free. Without AUP, you are not eligible to receive free software upgrades, however.

Question: How do I receive Software Maintenance Updates?

Answer: You can easily check on the availability of software maintenance updates to your current release of Stylus Studio® by clicking Help > Check for Latest Version on the Stylus Studio® menu. In addition, if you are connected to the Internet and updates are available, a small update icon appears in the lower right corner of the Stylus Studio® desktop.

Question: How do I receive Software Upgrades?

Answer: If you are a registered Stylus Studio® user with current AUP coverage and would like to upgrade your software, please contact us via email and we'll get you started.

Question: How do I process my AUP?

Answer: Qualifying customers can process their AUP to automatically upgrade to the most current version of Stylus Studio. Find out more information or process your AUP today.

Question: Are you ready to purchase your Stylus Studio® AUP?

Answer: Don't worry, it's easy. You can purchase your AUP along with your Stylus Studio® software online. If you already have your Stylus Studio® software, you can purchase your AUP by contacting a Stylus Studio® representative at 781.280.4488 or by email.

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