FastSpring offers two types of store-front designs, each with its own control panel, options, and configuration steps:

• Contextual Dashboard

  This is the newer approach for setting up your Store-Front in FastSpring. All new FastSpring accounts will default to this store-front.

  The software_DNA Connector uses the following functionality of the Dashboard:

  • Remote License Generator configuration for initial License Fulfillment
  • WebHooks for finalizing the License Activation Code configuration and management of Subscription Licenses

• Classic Springboard

  This is the previous "Classic" approach for setting up your Store-Front in FastSpring, and is still available upon request.

  The software_DNA Connector uses the following functionality of the Springboard:

  • Remote License Generator configuration for initial License Fulfillment
  • Notifications for finalizing the License Activation Code configuration, management of Subscription Licenses, and License Feature Upgrades

Key Differences between Dashboard and Springboard from a software_DNA Licensing point of view

• Feature Upgrades supported only in Springboard

  Springboard supports adding Custom Fields in the Order Form to capture an existing License Activation Code from the Buyer when they are buying an upgrade to an existing License to add new features. Springboard also supports the validation of the existing License Activation Code against software_DNA to ensure the buyer is upgrading a valid License.

  Dashboard does not yet support this functionality.

• Webhooks easier to configure then Notifications

  In Springboard, several Notiifications need to be configured for each FastSpring Product that uses software_DNA Licensing, so the configuration and management of these Notifications is more complex.

  In Dashboard, setting up WebHooks is much simpler, and requires only specifying the Connector URL - no other configuration steps are required.

With regards to advantages or disadvantages of either approach from a store-front design point of view, please consult the FastSpring documentation.

Switching between Dashboard and Springboard

It is possible to switch between the two approaches upon request, or to log-in to a Springboard store-front in Dashboard mode.

Please consult with softWORKZ when attempting to do this, and to confirm if your store-front is using Notifications or WebHooks to connect to the software_DNA Connector. Some configuration settings may need to be changed.