Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cetrus?

Cetrus is the leading software rental store. Cetrus gives users anytime, anywhere access to the largest library of software applications. With Cetrus, users don’t have to pay large upfront fees for software licenses that are cumbersome to manage, and a hassle to deploy, maintain, and update. Cetrus provides a simple interface with pay as you go or metered pricing that provides users an affordable, flexible, and portable way to rent the software they need. Additionally, the Cetrus Expense-to-Project (E2P) system allows for the efficient allocation of software costs to the customer's project accounting system.

What is pay as you go pricing?

Pay as you go pricing is very simple – you pay only for what you use! Cetrus provides users with the ability to run software on a metered basis. Users are charged for the time they actually use the software (time-based metering.) On-demand metered rates are typically dollars-per-hour. Users select on-demand licenses when they:

• Want to expense software charges directly to projects for reimbursement, thereby essentially eliminating software costs.
• Want to eliminate the administrative licensing compliance issues associated with today's soft and hard license keys.
• Want to stay current with the latest software releases.
• Want to use software on any machine, at any location.
• Have one or a few uses planned for expensive software.
• Want to make software available to everyone that has a need within their company.
• Want to avoid using capital funds for the purchase of software.

Will it be a hassle to switch to renting software on a pay as you go basis?

The pay as you go model is actually simpler and more efficient for users to manage than yesterday's perpetual licensing model, where licenses are soft and hard-key locked, making sharing of applications difficult and expensive. Cetrus takes away all the hassles of account management, software downloads, out of date software, license keys, hardware dongles. In addition, with Cetrus, software applications run on any desktop computer, just as perpetual licensed applications do today. Users no longer need to be tied to their own desktop or a shared computer because with the rental/metered model, software can be installed on any number of computers, and Cetrus takes care of the metering and billing.

What is Expense-to-Project functionality?

The optional proprietary Cetrus Expense-to-Project (E2P) system allows for the efficient allocation of software costs to the customer's project accounting system. When users launch the software application, they are immediately presented with their account-specific E2P input screen that captures usage time and billing data. Cetrus e-mails account usage statements on a periodic (typically monthly) basis, and provides the means for users to run reports that can be downloaded and exported in various formats so that all software expenses can be submitted for expense reimbursement. Because the reimbursement results in a zero net cost and eliminates the need for software-related capital expenditures, the user's profitability is improved.

Why should I switch to renting software?

Renting software on a pay as you go basis gives you choice, flexibility, and affordability. You only pay for value received.

How do I get started?

Getting started is very easy with Cetrus. Simply select one of more software applications from the Cetrus library, create an account, download your software, and immediately start running the application at your desktop. You'll want to set up your optional Expense-to-Project (E2P) profile and add users to your account. After you are registered as a Cetrus user, you can download and use your on-demand application from any workstation, anywhere, anytime.

What information is kept by Cetrus?

Cetrus keeps your basic account information. Users can optionally select Cetrus to keep their credit card information on hand to facilitate future transactions. Please read our privacy statement for more information.

How does my credit card get processed?

Your credit card transaction is processed over a highly secure encrypted connection.

What about compatibility with my operating system?

Cetrus has been designed to operate with the latest Microsoft operating systems, including Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

Can I run multiple applications at once?

As a registered Cetrus user, you can have multiple software applications in your account at any time. Each will be accessible, tracked and launched via your workstation.

Can I have more than one user for an application?

All users within your account are eligible to use any on-demand application available to the account. The default is that a new user is licensed to use any registered application. In addition, any newly added applications are available by default to all users within the account. The account administrator is provided with the tools to add and remove users rights to applications within the account.

What is the difference between an account and an individual user?

To support individuals and small and large companies alike, Cetrus has implemented a two-tier hierarchy for account and login names. Login names are grouped within a "parent" account name. Logging into an application or a Cetrus account requires that the user provide both the Account Name and the Login Name.

By grouping user login names under an account name, corporate staff can manage users efficiently and consistently throughout the entire company. Additionally, users can belong to more than one account, and a company can have multiple accounts to support their internal business and organizational needs. The account/login name combination allows users to have a much better chance of having their preferred login name, and if the user is a part of multiple accounts, to maintain the same login name for various different account names.

What happens if a user misplaces their password?

Cetrus provides a "Forgot Password" feature available at the login screen. Entering the requested data will result in an e-mail being sent to you with a temporary password. Also, any designated administrator for an "account" can reset individual passwords. If you are the account holder and would like assistance, please contact support@cetrus.com If you are a user that has been added to a multi-user account, please contact your account administrator for assistance.

Is there anything I need to do before selecting an on-demand application?

In order to have full access to the on-demand applications on www.cetrus.com, you must have an operating internet browser.

How do I save my work?

Applications run on your workstation just like most of your current software applications. Save your data from your application like you do today. Because of this, it is your responsibility to save and protect all of your data. Cetrus is not responsible for any lost or missing data. It is recommended that users save their data on a frequent basis.

How can I print out my work?

Applications run on your workstation just like most of your current software applications. Print directly to your printer just like you would from any application you use today

Are copies of my credit card receipts available?

A record of all of your credit card receipts is retained and visible in your Cetrus account. Click on the transaction link to view and print these receipts. Each receipt includes a "sticky note" area for users to add information that is saved with the receipt and is included with on the receipt when it is printed for accounting purposes.

Can I add more time when the application warns me that I am about to run out of time?

You can purchase additional metered usage time by simply going to your Cetrus Account and clicking Increase Balance. This link takes you to a page that allows you to increase the remaining balance in your prepaid account.

Of course, you can always select an ongoing-metered usage option, which requires that a valid credit card be on file. When your metered usage balance drops below the pre-selected floor, a credit card charge will be automatically executed. The amount charged will be the user-selected amount, or the predetermined minimum.

Will the license servers be up 24/7?

The Cetrus license servers and website are designed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week operation. Users will be notified of scheduled maintenance in advance of the planned downtime. In the unforeseen event that the servers go down, Cetrus will make all efforts to restore availability as soon as possible.

How should I logoff from an application?

The best way to logoff your on-demand application is to use the application's file > exit command. Each application could be unique and require you to use its own menu-based exit commands.

Who should I contact if I have any technical support issues or concerns?

For licensing-related issues, email support@cetrus.com. For any application-related questions, please contact the vendor directly. You will find vendor links and information under "Available Applications" in your MyCetrus account.

How many other employees can I setup for using the application?

The designated account administrator can add as many users within their account as they desire and are willing to pay for. Access to the metered usage application is limited to those users that have had a user profile created for them by their account administrator.

Can other users make changes to any other accounts?

Only users with assigned Account Administrator privileges can make changes to other user profiles. Cetrus Users have one of 5 use privileges as follows:

Application User: Allowed to use only those applications assigned to them. They can view their personal usage reports. Their user profile is created for them by the account administrator.

Account Administrator: Allowed to add, change and update users, use all applications assigned to them, assign applications to user, and view all usage for all users.

Report: Allowed to view usage of all users. Typically this role is provided to management and the accounting department.

Purchasing: All users can be assigned a purchasing privilege, allowing them to use the account credit card on file to purchase new applications or add more time.

Financial: Allowed to edit the credit card information that is on file for the account.

Do I need any special ports opened up on my firewall?

No. The Cetrus solution does not require any special ports open on your firewall.

Can I pause the application?

Yes, You can manually pause the application. Also within all applications is an inactivity timer that launches after an adjustable set time. The default is 30 seconds but can be adjusted to 1 hour.