Software for which a company has exclusive rights. Some companies will only allow the investor to transact business with them through the use of their proprietary software, while others simply offer its use for one's convenience.
privately-owned and controlled software, design or technique. In the computer industry, proprietary is the opposite of open. The company does not divulge specifications that would allow other companies to duplicate the product.
If an access control system is programmed, managed and monitored by the customer, an access control software program must be loaded onto their local computer. The software will be specific to the access control system installed (i.e., the software will be proprietary to that product). Close Glossary Window
This software is written or developed in-house for a company, and tailored to the specific needs of that company. Specifications for the HIPAA compliant ANSI X12N version 4010A1 implementation guides are available on the Washington Publishing Company Web Site. Back to the Glossary Index
This is standard commercial software.
Privately owned software based on trade secrets, privately developed technology, or specifications that the owner refuses to divulge, thus preventing others from duplicating a product or program unless an explicit license is purchased. The opposite of proprietary is open (publicly published and available for emulation by others).
Proprietary software is software with restrictions on using, copying and modifying as enforced by the proprietor. Restrictions on use, modification and copying is achieved by either legal or technical means and sometimes both. Technical means include releasing machine-readable binaries to users and withholding the human-readable source code.