What do I need to Know About the Kagi Backup CD Service?

What is the Kagi Backup CD Service?

The Kagi Backup CD Service allows you to offer your customers backup copies of your downloadable software product on CD or DVD. Backup disks improve customer confidence in your company and products and reduce your support costs. As an added bonus, Kagi will pay you for each Backup CD you sell. Learn more about what Kagi's Backup CD Service offers your business.

What does this cost?

You pay nothing for this service. In fact, we pay you! Learn More »

What is required to offer a backup disc for my product?

1. Backup CDs can only be created via the Kagi Store Wizard.
2. You must be able to deliver your product via email or download.
3. You must provide your product to Kagi in a .zip format.
4. The .zip file must be made available for Kagi to acquire from your servers.
5. Your "unzipped" product must fit on a single CD (640 MB) or DVD (4.5 GB).

How does the Backup CD service work?

1. You select downloadable software products with which you'd like to offer Backup CDs via the Kagi Store Wizard.
2. When shoppers select one of your qualifying products, Backup CD will automatically appear as a line item in the shopping cart. Customers may opt-out of this service by removing the Backup CD from their cart.
3. After customers complete their transactions, they will receive registration codes via email as usual.
4. The backup CD is pressed on demand and shipped to the buyer almost anywhere in the world.
5. Within five days, the Backup CD will arrive in the buyer's hands. The CD contains the software purchased during the transaction as well as the appropriate activation codes when available.

How do I enable Backup CDs for my products?

In the Kagi Store Wizard (November 2007 release), click "Products" in the left-hand navigation menu. Either edit an existing product or push the button to create a new item. At the bottom of the Product Information section, you'll find an area that looks similar to the image below.

1. Archive your downloadable software in .zip format and upload it to a public server.
2. Enter the URL for the .zip file into the field labeled "Download URL."
3. Check the box next to "Kagi Backup CD."
4. Select a media format for your product. If your software title exceeds 640 MB, please select DVD as your media format. Otherwise, stick with CDs; they are less expensive.
5. Save your product. The Kagi Store Wizard will automatically generate the Backup CD products and associate them to your software title.

What if my product exceeds 4.5 GB in size or will not fit on a DVD?

Kagi may offer the ability to split your product between multiple discs in the future.

Can I participate in this program without uploading a .zip file to a public server?

When you attach the Backup CD Service to your software product, the Kagi Store Wizard will verify the URL you provide in the "Download URL" field. If the Kagi Store Wizard receives an error trying to retrieve this file, you will receive an error and will not be able to save your product.

Kagi's systems will store a copy of your .zip file locally for duplication.

Note: if you delete the .zip file from your servers after saving a product listing in the Wizard, buyers may experience significant delays or errors when ordering your software. Please do not delete the .zip file associated to your Backup CD products.

Can the .zip file's URL be password protected?

No. If you are concerned about unauthorized access to this file, place it in a directory with a long, obfuscated, randomly generated name.

What if I update my software? What do I need to do to make sure Backup CDs contain the latest version?

Kagi's systems will check the URL you provide in the "Download URL" field every time a customer completes a purchase. If you update this file, our servers will update our local copy for duplication. Providing Backup CD customers with the latest version of your software is as easy as updating the .zip file on your servers.

Note: if you delete the .zip file from your servers after saving a product listing in the Wizard, buyers may experience significant delays or errors when ordering your software. Please do not delete the .zip file associated to your Backup CD products.

The Wizard accepted my download url. Why isn't my Backup CD available on my store?

Kagi's systems must successfully acquire your product in .zip format before the store begins to offer Backup CDs to your customers. The process of copying the product from your server to our file repository may take several hours. File size and connection speed both influence the time it takes for Backup CDs to appear in your online store.

Can I use Regdata to manage Backup CD Services?

No. Only the Kagi Store Wizard provides an interface for offering Backup CD Services.

Must I use Kagi's ACG Service with the Backup CD Service?

While we do not require the use of our ACG services, Kagi strongly recommends using ACGs together with the Backup CD service. Activation codes for the software products purchased with the Backup CD are printed directly on the CD itself. If you use Kagi's ACG service, we'll be able to provide the appropriate activation codes with the CD. Otherwise, this list will contain seemingly arbitrary text (productname-####).

 

Providing a printed list of activation codes to Backup CD buyers will certainly improve their purchase satisfaction and reduce support calls.

.zip file? Will my customers have trouble with that?

We use the .zip format to reduce the bandwidth required to move files from your servers to Kagi's. The .zip file is un-compressed before the Backup CD is printed. Unless your .zip files contain more .zip files, end users should not encounter zipped documents on their Kagi Backup CDs.

As a Mac Developer, I usually use .dmg format. Can I just zip that and send it?

Yes.

The Mac offers additional filename support that is not properly handled by the Microsoft Windows platform. To prevent your application's resource files from being renamed, we recommend placing your installer package or application into a .dmg first and then archiving it into .zip format.

I am a Windows developer and I am used to .exe files. Can I just zip that and send it?

Yes, you could just zip your .exe file and publish that for Backup CDs. This may not be the most effective solution. For example, you may want to include Read Me files, coupons or promos, and free demo software on your Backup CDs. In this event . . .

1. Organize all of the desired contents into one directory ("My Amazing Software"). Include your .exe file and any other assets you would like to include on your Backup CD. You may also include demos for some of your other software products.
2. Open the "My Amazing Software" folder in Windows Explorer.
3. Choose Edit > Select All.
4. Right-click on any of the highlighted files, select Send To > Compressed (zipped) Folder

After a few moments, you should have a zip file to post to your server and use with the Backup CD service.

Note: these instructions apply to Windows XP.

I don't like the opt-out nature of this service. Can I change that?

Currently, Backup CDs automatically appear as a line item in the shopping cart when a customer selects a qualifying software product. The customer must remove the Backup CD from their cart to opt-out of this service. Our research indicates that customers are significantly more likely to purchase a Backup CD without complaint if the option is presented using an opt-out method.

It will not be possible to modify this functionality with regards to our Backup CD Service.

What if my customer purchases a Backup CD by accident? What if the CD is Damaged or Defective?

Above all, Kagi would like to provide shoppers and buyers with a smooth experience. We understand that our actions are inevitably associated to your business.

If customers receive a defective Backup CD, or they accidentally order this service, please direct them to our customer service team for assistance. We'll do what we can to make sure they walk away satisfied customers.

What about blurbs, read me files, or other content I want customers to see?

For Backup CDs, your .zip file can contain whatever files you'd like your customers to see. You are not limited to .dmg, .exe, or installer files.

We encourage you to include free product demos, promotions, coupons, specialized read me files, etc. within the zip file you create for the Backup CD Service. For example, if you include a $5 coupon with every Backup CD, you may generate repeat business, build customer loyalty, and encourage customers to buy Backup CDs. Similarly, including product demos on your Backup CD may expose buyers to your other amazing products.

I'd like to include my software demos on every one of Kagi's Backup CDs. Can I do that?

Kagi may one day feature some of our most popular and dedicated software suppliers on every Backup CD we produce. Please stay tuned as we continue to evolve this service.