Unit4 on-premises software is software that Unit4 provides “to download onto its own or other third party infrastructure”, as opposed to SaaS.[1] Unit4 describes these as legacy solutions. Its contracting guide says that most offerings are now sold as SaaS, and that on-premise solutions “frequently have to be maintained and supported separately”.[12] The Service Terms – Software and the matching on-premises support terms (both version 1.2, July 2023) are now listed in the archive, not on the current terms page.[11][10]
This article also covers the services layered on top of a licence or subscription. Support is either Support 4U for SaaS or the on-premises support terms. Customer success is sold as the Success4U subscriptions and Success Points. AI Features and early adopter previews each have their own terms.
Editions
The Software Terms describe two licence models for installed software:[1]
| Model | Catalog row | Grant | Ends when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Licence | Software Term Licence | Non-exclusive, non-transferable licence in object code for the Authorised Users in the Sales Order | Fifteen years from the Effective Date, or earlier if the customer stops paying Support Charges |
| Subscription Licence | Software Subscription Licence | Non-exclusive, non-transferable right to permit the agreed number of Authorised Users to Use the software | Expiry of the subscription |
The older 2020 definitions used different labels for the same idea. A “Software Licence” was “a long term licence to Use the Unit4 Product”, and a “Software Subscription” was “an annual subscription licence”.[13] Neither document grants a perpetual licence. A Term Licence is time-limited and depends on continued support, so dropping support ends the right to use the software. Catalog: On-premises Term Licence ends if Support Charges stop. Compare software licensing models.
Metrics
On-premises licences use the same Authorised Users construct as SaaS: users or units of the Volume Metric in the Sales Order.[1] Agreements on the 2018-2020 framework may use the Enterprise, Professional and Self-Service user types; see Unit4 volume metrics and the FTE Employee calculation. The deployment is bounded by the Installation rule described below. Success Services use Success Points, defined as “pre-paid credits that can redeemed in exchange for Success Services”.[6]
Counting / floors
One installation, three environments. The customer may use the software “on a single installation at the Installation Address” and may copy it for three environments: one production and two non-production.[1] The Installation Address is the address given to Unit4, or the Sales Order address if none is given. The customer may not “split the usage of the Unit4 Software across multiple server installations”.[1] A fourth environment, for example a separate training or disaster-recovery copy, is outside the grant unless the Sales Order adds it. Catalog: On-premises software: one installation, three environments, no split across servers.
Delivery and acceptance. Software is delivered by download with licence keys. It is deemed accepted when Unit4 provides them and is not subject to acceptance testing.[1]
Restrictions. Use is limited to internal business operations, with no provision to third parties. Reverse engineering, merging with other software, removing proprietary notices and robotic process automation without consent are prohibited.[1] The customer is responsible for its own backups, at least daily.[1] On termination the customer must return or destroy all copies.[1]
Virtualization & partitioning
The Software Terms contain no processor, core or virtualization rules. The constraint is the single installation at one address, and the ban on splitting usage across multiple server installations.[1] Whether a clustered or load-balanced deployment counts as one installation is not addressed. Customers should get written confirmation from Unit4 before deploying across several servers. See virtualization and partitioning.
Cloud / BYOL
The Software Terms allow installation on the customer’s own or third-party infrastructure, so hosting by an outsourcer is possible at the Installation Address.[1] No document converts an on-premises Term Licence into SaaS subscription credit.
Programs
Support
On-premises support. Support Services aim to keep the standard application performing as specified. Customisations, including those Unit4 built in a project, are not supported unless agreed.[2] Support covers only the current (N) and previous (N-1) Release. For older Releases, Unit4 may give only online self-help, and may end even that on six months’ notice. It may instead offer Extended Legacy Tiered Support: support but not maintenance for the current Release until the next Renewal Date.[2] Hot Fixes, Updates and Releases are free when fees are paid. Unit4 may charge a reasonable fee for a “Version”, meaning a substantial re-development, and buying it is optional.[2] Unit4 may withdraw support for database or operating systems no longer in wide commercial use on at least 12 months’ notice.[2] Catalog: On-premises support covers the current and previous Release only; New Versions of on-premises software may be charged.
Support 4U (SaaS). SaaS customers must appoint at least two trained Named Support Contacts, and for some Services two per major modular area such as Financials or HR. They must also appoint at least two technical contacts and a Customer Service Owner.[3] Initial response time objectives are 1 Business Hour for Priority 1, 2 for Priority 2, 8 for Priority 3 and 2 Business Days for Priority 4. Priority 1 availability incidents get a 24/7 one-hour objective.[3] Unit4 has no obligation to fulfil Service Requests.[3] Catalog: At least two trained Named Support Contacts are required. See software maintenance and support.
Success4U and Success Points
- Success4U Essentials is a subscription giving access to the Success Catalog, where services are bought for cash, and end-user education content for 100 named users. The names may be updated once per year.[4] Catalog: Success4U Essentials education covers 100 named users.
- Success4U Professional is a subscription for Unit4 ERP and Unit4 Financials customers. It adds success planning, annual adoption reviews, twice-yearly business reviews and eligibility to buy Success Points at preferential catalog pricing. “No Success Points are included as standard”.[5] Variants exist for FP&A, Source-to-Contract and partner-delivered service.[10]
- Success Points Packages are available only to Success4U Professional customers. Points have no monetary value, cannot be redeemed for cash or credit, and cannot be sold or transferred.[6] Catalog: Success Points have no monetary value and cannot be transferred.
Expiry. Success Points are an annual allocation. Points not redeemed by the anniversary of the Success4U Professional Subscription Start Date expire. During the Minimum Term, up to 30% of a future year’s points can be brought forward. In Unit4’s example, a customer with 100 points a year can redeem up to 130 in year one, leaving 70 for year two.[6] Redeemed points also expire if the Success Services are not scheduled to start within three months. The Rate Card in force at redemption sets the price in points.[6] Catalog: Success Points expire annually; up to 30% may be brought forward.
Cancellation. Cancelling or postponing scheduled Success Services costs 20% of the related charges or points with 11 to 15 Business Days’ notice, 40% with 6 to 10 days, and 60% with five days or less, plus unrecoverable third-party costs.[7] Services are deemed accepted unless the customer objects in writing within 5 Business Days.[7] Catalog: Short-notice cancellation of Success Services costs 20% to 60%.
For a licence manager, Success Points behave like a prepaid, use-it-or-lose-it entitlement. Track the balance (available on request from the Customer Success Manager) against the anniversary date.[6]
AI Features
Where Services include AI Features, the AI Terms apply and prevail over the Agreement. The customer owns Input and Output, but Unit4 keeps its rights in derivative works of Unit4 Material contained in Output. Unless agreed otherwise, Unit4 will not use Input or Output to train AI Features generally, only to improve the features provided to that customer.[8] The customer “is not permitted to use the AI Features or Output to create, train or improve other AI systems or models”. New or materially changed AI Features are notified in advance, and the customer has 30 days to object.[8] Catalog: AI Feature output may not be used to train other AI systems. See generative AI licensing.
Early Adopter Services
Products in an early adopter phase are provided under the Early Adopter Services Policy, which takes precedence over the Order Form. The Service Preview is free of charge, but “a fee will be due and payable as of the date of general availability”. No SLA applies, and the preview may be withdrawn or changed without notice.[9] Previews should be logged as future cost items, not free entitlements. Catalog: Early adopter services become chargeable at general availability.
Out of scope
- Success Catalog contents, Rate Cards and prices, which are not public.
- Partner-delivered Success4U variants and Success4U for Source-to-Contract and FP&A, beyond their listing.
- Legacy support packages (Standard, Enhanced, Premium, Managed Application Services) from the 2018-2021 framework, which remain in the archive.[11]
- Escrow arrangements for on-premises software.