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Is the mandatory MKS Goliath.Net subscription update safe for my business?
Critical Update: MKS Goliath.Net End of Life Strategy
Business leaders utilizing MKS Goliath.Net face a significant transition point regarding their ERP infrastructure. The developer, MKS Softwaremanagement GmbH, has announced that software development concludes with version 6.9.25.4004. This marks the definitive end of the product line as you know it. Current users must now navigate a forced migration path toward MKS Goliath.Neo, a subscription-based alternative.
This strategic shift likely stems from the involvement of the SelectLine Group. Market reports indicate that SelectLine, known for the subscription-centric SelectLine Neo ERP, acquired MKS. This consolidation explains the aggressive push toward recurring revenue models. You effectively have two choices: migrate to the new subscription architecture or maintain your legacy system under increasingly difficult conditions.
The “Kill Switch” Mechanism in Version 6.9.25.4004
The most concerning aspect of this transition lies in the technical architecture of the final update. Version 6.9.25.4004 introduces an “automatic license check” disguised as a security feature. This mechanism fundamentally alters how your purchased software operates.
Previously, Goliath.Net functioned via a local license file, ensuring autonomy from external servers. The new update forces the application to validate its license against MKS servers upon every startup. If the vendor shuts down these authentication servers, your perpetual software may cease to function. In IT risk management, we classify this dependency as a “kill switch.” It effectively converts an asset you own into a service you rent, revoking your independence without a contract renegotiation.
Financial Implications and Maintenance Hikes
The vendor has structured the transition to penalize inaction. Effective January 1, 2026, costs for “Extended Support” on the legacy Goliath.Net system will increase significantly. This pricing strategy aims to make the status quo financially untenable for small to medium-sized enterprises.
Reports from long-term users indicate that migrating to Goliath.Neo could raise operational costs by a factor of 2.5. For a business that previously invested heavily—sometimes upwards of €49,000—in a perpetual license, this represents a severe devaluation of that initial investment. The vendor promises “financial advantages” for early switchers, but the math suggests these advantages primarily benefit the vendor’s cash flow, not your bottom line.
Strategic Advisory for Affected Businesses
You must act deliberately to protect your business continuity. Do not install version 6.9.25.4004 immediately if you intend to keep your perpetual license valid and independent. Installing this update accepts the new online verification protocol, binding your operations to the vendor’s server uptime.
Review your original license agreement. Most perpetual licenses guarantee indefinite usage rights, which a mandatory online check may violate. If you require stability, isolate your current ERP environment from this update. Simultaneously, begin evaluating alternative ERP solutions that offer transparent exit strategies and data portability. The lack of vendor transparency regarding the lifespan of the authentication servers serves as a critical warning sign for your long-term planning.