B E T A   S I T E
Participation Requirements

At Raining Data, our beta program plays a key role in the development of high quality production software. We continuously recruit beta sites to test our software products, documentation and general usage experience. We welcome our developers, resellers and end-users interested in participating in this evaluation process. Beta testing sites are selected using the following criteria:

Knowledge of the Technology

Requirement: Developers, resellers, or end-users who are interested in becoming a beta site must demonstrate that they are very familiar with the specific technology being tested, and must be capable of testing pre-determined functionality. Therefore, the beta site applicant will be pre-qualified by a Raining Data representative before they are accepted into the beta program.

Reason: The beta program is designed specifically for in-depth testing of core functionality and new features. We believe that only experienced developers and users who know the software well can properly test and report on issues that may affect production sites.

Developer or Reseller Participation

Requirement: To participate in the beta program for any of our products, a signed Beta Site License Agreement (PDF document, 23 KB) must be completed and returned to Raining Data's Customer Service department in Irvine via fax to 949-261-5308 or via mail to our corporate headquarters at 17500 Cartwright Road, Irvine, California, 92614 USA. This will serve as the formal application to request participation as a beta testing site. Beta Agreement applicants will be selected based on pre-qualification information and meeting the criteria set forth. Raining Data reserves the right to determine the final status of all beta site applications. Sites will be notified individually regarding their approval status.

Reason: To ensure the quality of testing, Raining Data will check to see that each component of the product receives a thorough workout. We look for sites that are able to focus their efforts on performance testing and add value to our beta process.

End-User Participation

Requirement: If an end-user is interested in becoming a beta testing site and they receive their technical support through a reseller or other primary support provider, that support provider must show their consent for the end-user to apply for the beta program by signing the Beta Site License Agreement. With the reseller's consent, the end-user will be be considered for the beta program. The end-user is required to pass the pre-qualification process and be accepted into the beta program by Raining Data. Raining Data reserves the right to determine the final status of all beta site applications.

Reason: While we appreciate an end-user's application for the beta program, the reseller responsible for that site may not wish the end-user to participate due to technical support issues. We respect our resellers' contribution to this decision process. We will inform the end-user and the reseller of the application status and discuss the evaluation if required.

Testing

Requirement: Upon acceptance into the beta program, Raining Data will notify the participant the anticipated shipping date of the beta software. Beta sites should prepare their resources to begin the testing process around the expected receipt date. The software should be loaded and activated (if required) right away so that testing can begin within a few days after receipt.

Reason: If software is not installed or activated during the early stages of the beta cycle, the software may become flagged as inactive and thereby prevent activation. Contact Raining Data's Customer Service department at 949-261-1875 between the hours of 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM Pacific Time and Saturday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific Time if there are any issues with activating the software. Please have your System ID number available and let the customer service representative know that you are part of the beta program.

Reporting

Requirement: During the beta cycle, any and all issues that arise regarding functionality, performance and stability of the product must be reported directly to Raining Data's Customer Service department in Irvine. Beta sites are given priority technical support response.

Reason: If the beta site reports a problem to Raining Data's Customer Service department, we encourage the beta site to work promptly with the support representative during the support call process. Priority is given to beta program participant calls to allow for processing the beta site's reports and for rapid resolution. Fast turnover of issues to our engineering department increases the chance to fix the product before it goes into production.

Follow Up Survey

Requirement: Beta sites agree to provide feedback on the software and documentation in a follow-up survey after product activation. Shortly after the beta cycle has begun, a representative from Raining Data will contact the beta site's primary contact to arrange an appointment for a follow-up interview. These phone interviews average between 15 to 30 minutes. The primary contact will also be asked to complete a documentation survey which may be returned anytime within a few days after the interview. We wish to emphasize that review of the product documentation is a very important aspect of the beta testing process. The follow-up survey will address questions regarding documentation accuracy. We may also initiate other follow-up interviews for specific issues that arise, but we do not intend to take up too much of your time.

Reason: A few days after activation, a representative from Raining Data will call to ask survey questions about the tested product, documentation and general usage experience. If we notice that a beta site has not activated their software, we will contact the site to check on issues that may be preventing installation. We understand that some beta sites cannot install immediately. If this is the case, a new follow-up appointment will be arranged.

If the site has not activated after some reasonable amount of time, the System ID will be rendered inactive and the system will no longer be capable of activating the beta product. The beta site is also subject to removal from the beta program.

Thank You

Thank you for your interest in participating in our beta program. Each beta site plays an integral part in the overall evaluation of our software. We hope that the program is mutually beneficial.

If you have any questions about this information, please send an email to: betainfo@rainingdata.com.