Software Escrow

Software Escrow Agreements permit an independent specialist to hold and test a copy of your applications source code to make sure it is accurate, complete and can be compiled independently in the event of vendor failure.

Protect Your Business Critical Applications Today

Speak to our specialists about protecting your business critical applications with Software Escrow. SES provides a full suite of Software Escrow agreements certified to UKAS ISO: 27001 and ISO: 9001 standards.

Protect your critical applications now. Contact us today

Over 2,500 clients trust SES with their Software Escrow Agreements

Software Escrow or Source Code Escrow, as it is sometimes known, protects you against the ‘what if’ scenarios and puts you in control of your 3rd party software investments, offering you assurances and continuity for the investments you make.

SES provides a range of Software Escrow Agreements, Source Code Contract Management and Software IP solutions that compliment all aspects of software security whether they are locally installed, hosted in the cloud or sourced through reseller or distribution channels. Essentially, Software Escrow should be part of any software contract negotiation.

Introducing the Licensee Continuity Plan from SES

This market-leading SaaS Continuity service is a live and functioning disaster recovery solution. It is specifically designed to guarantee complete and rapid accessibility to hosted applications in the event the hosted environment or supplier is no longer available to provide the service.

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Solutions we offer

On-Premise Software Escrow Agreements

Standard Software Escrow Agreements designed specifically to protect business-critical applications installed on-site at your business premises.

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SaaS / Cloud Escrow

To fully protect your critical hosted applications, SES offers an industry-leading SaaS Escrow service, holding the most current version of your application data alongside source code.

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Licensee Continuity Plan

This market-leading SaaS Continuity service is a live and functioning disaster recovery solution. It is specifically designed to guarantee complete and rapid accessibility to hosted applications.

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Template Software Escrow Agreements

Simplify your Escrow protection with Template Software Escrow Agreements, complete with standard terms across each agreement you require.

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Bespoke Software Escrow Agreements

Software Escrow Agreements with bespoke terms, tailored to your unique requirements.

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Software Validation / Verification

A series of Validation Testing options designed to provide independent build documentation and evidence that your Escrow deposit is complete and accurate.

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Automated Source Code Deposits

With our secure, automated depositing facilities you can perform deposits of your applications source code securely and flexibly.

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Public Sector Software Escrow Agreements

Proud to support over 150 public sector organisations across the UK with their Software Escrow requirements.

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5 simple steps to a Software Escrow Agreement

Set the terms of the Software Escrow Agreement

During the initial setup of the Software Escrow Agreement, key aspects of the agreement need to be agreed: What are the release events for the Escrow? What will they involve/ include? What can the end-user do with the Escrowed materials post-release? How often does the source code/ data held in Escrow change? How critical is the application to the continued operation of your business?

Depositing source code & supporting materials

Once the Software Escrow Agreement is set up, the materials to be placed in Escrow should be promptly deposited with SES. This includes all materials required to redeploy the application in the event of a release. SES simplify the depositing process by offering both online and offline depositing methods to simplify the process for our clients.

Secure storage of source code & supporting materials

Once SES has received the materials which may include source code, data and supporting documentation, it is stored securely in our List-X compliant storage facilities and UKFast’s secure data centres.

Continuous updates

As the application is developed, the source code and supporting materials including data held in Escrow require updating to ensure it can be deployed accurately in the event of a release. SES can take unlimited deposits of application data to ensure that you have accurate data upon release.

Materials released back to the end-user

A release event outlined in the Escrow Agreement has occurred and now the end-user requires the source code and supporting material to continue using the application.

SES will promptly release the Escrowed materials to the end-user following the terms agreed upon in the Escrow contract.

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 Software 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

Includes contract fees and two deposits of code annually with Basic Deposit Reporting on each deposit.

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Software Escrow Agreement iA contractual agreement between an End User, a Software Developer and SES to ensure the continuity of a licensed software application.

Basic Deposit Reporting iA standard validation test applied to all Software Escrow deposits to ensure the code held in Escrow is accessible and virus free.

Level 2 – Intermediate

An annual, consultant-led validation process to ensure the application can be rebuilt from the source material held in Escrow.

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Software Escrow Agreement iA contractual agreement between an End User, a Software Developer and SES to ensure the continuity of a licensed software application.

Basic Deposit Reporting iA standard validation test applied to all Software Escrow deposits to ensure the code held in Escrow is accessible and virus free.

Remote Code Validation iInvolves an SES testing consultant witnessing a full rebuild of the application in the developer’s environment and documenting the entire process. The independent report and audio-visual recording enables an ASP to accurately redeploy the application in the event of a release.

Level 3 – Advanced

Bespoke validation processes are undertaken based on the requirements of the software user

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Software Escrow Agreement iA contractual agreement between an End User, a Software Developer and SES to ensure the continuity of a licensed software application.

Basic Deposit Reporting iA standard validation test applied to all Software Escrow deposits to ensure the code held in Escrow is accessible and virus free.

Complete Code Validation iInvolves an SES testing consultant witnessing a full rebuild of the application in the developer’s environment and documenting the entire process. The independent report and audio-visual recording enables an ASP to accurately redeploy the application in the event of a release.

Simulated Release Event iThe simulated release event demonstrates the build documentation captured as part of the Code Validation Testing is sufficient for an ASP to accurately redeploy the application upon release.

Level 4 – Complete

Complete and rapid accesssibility to hosted applications in the event that the supplier is no longer available.

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Software Escrow Agreement iA contractual agreement between an End User, a Software Developer and SES to ensure the continuity of a licensed software application.

Code Validation Testing iInvolves an SES testing consultant witnessing a full rebuild of the application in the developer’s environment and documenting the entire process. The independent report and audio-visual recording enables an ASP to accurately redeploy the application in the event of a release.

Interim Release Provision iFor standard Escrow, the release process varies typically between 14 to 30 days (across the Escrow industry), and additionally the recovery time can be a matter of days or weeks. While waiting for this process to complete there is a real danger to the software user of increased operational downtime. SES's LCP provides a real-time Interim Release that bridges the gap between initiating the release process and its completion

Backup & restore for apps, data & VMs iBy ensuring critical assets are backed up regularly using advanced scheduling and targeting, you can guarantee that you and your customer’s information is protected effectively.

Live Licensee Continuity Planning iWe will help you plan your disaster recovery response and work to implement a bespoke strategy which will be continually assessed and improved after each recovery exercise.

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.