When MicroStrategy, Inc released free version (though limited number of users), I jumped out of my seat. I thought finally I can start learning Server SDK with free mind. The the joy was only short lived, when I installed MicroStrategy Free Reporting suite, as that MicroStrategy calls, and came to know that lots of addon tools like Command Manager, Enterprise Manager, etc are not included and SDK is not free. But the worst or plain stupid of MicroStrategy Inc was not including Object Manager in the free version. It is kind of cruel, as Organization using MicroStrategy would not be able to maintain different environment like Development, Test and Production, as Object Manager used for migrating objects between environment is not included. But it is kinda stupid of MicroStrategy too, as you need to sell a bare minimum set of component to make that work and ability to move object freely between environments is kinda cruel to client. You should think of letting freeware user to get a neck of it and they should pay (or buy) when they think that it make sense to go beyond named users/features.

Anyways, the following hack is not for getting you the features like SDK. :(, but to how use MicroStrategy Object Manager even with a freeware.

Get a copy of MicroStrategy and two serials keys, one for 30 days trial and one for 25 named user. You can use same downloaded copy to install, the serial key controls which tools would be available during installation. 30 days trial version would stop working, but this so called 30 days is for MicroStrategy Intelligence Server (heart of MicroStrategy product) and 25 named user license would never expire, but is feature limited. Now what you can do it make multiple installation of freeware MicroStrategy as DEV, TEST and PROD environment and the Object Manager installed using 30 days trial can be used for migration of objects among various environments. Kewl ins’t it. Enjoy!!!!

Cracking MicroStrategy Product Activation

I’ve been able to find flow of data exchange in License Manager and looking for someone very good in Assembler to help me finish it. I’m extremely occupied and can’t give anytime, also used Assembler more than 8 years back. I hate coding. So, if you are in Mumbai, India, just run a whois and you would know what email address you need to contact. I just want to help the companies who have MicroStrategy installed on non-windows OS and I-Server machines not exposed to internet. You know it can take half day for novice to just to activate MicroStrategy.