AppProtect is a new product in Excel Software's extensive line of software and document protection and license management tools for Mac OS X and Windows computers. It can be used standalone or in conjunction with the Safe Activation or WebActivation web server for automated license activation.

A software vendor opens the AppProtect window, selects the desired options and clicks a button to generate a protected application. The vendor's application is wrapped with an activation process that presents a dialog to the customer on first launch. Once activated, the software will run on that computer without user interaction, but application files can't be copied and used on any other computer.

The vendor can choose an activation process that either presents an Enter Password or Enter Serial Number dialog. The Enter Password dialog shows a computer specific password number and requires a unique password from the vendor. The dialog may optionally include a link to the vendor's web site presented by the default web browser on that computer. Alternatively, the
Enter Serial Number dialog prompts the customer to enter a Serial Number provided by the vendor during the order process. The activation process is then fully automated through a silent connection with the Safe Activation service or self-hosted, WebActivation server.

AppProtect can be used to protect a standard Mac OS X application (.app) or Windows executable (.exe). In addition to providing basic protection, the vendor can apply a high-resolution icon to the application and enter parameters to configure the activation process. If an automated activation server is not used, the vendor can generate computer specific passwords with AppProtect to activate users of the protected software.

AppProtect 1.0 is US$295 for a single user license on either Mac OS X (Intel or PowerPC systems) and Windows (XP, Vista or 7 with 32 or 64 bit processor). The product includes a printed and PDF User Guide.