The MOTF Blog

Network Licensing: Move Stations, Not Licenses
 August 18th, 2017

 

What exactly is Network Licensing?

Introduced by popular demand, BobCAD-CAM now offers Network Licensing. Gone are the days of purchasing a licensed copy of the software for each individual workstation. Instead, licenses only need to be purchased based on the number of stations you may need active simultaneously. Those licenses will then be stored on the server and available from any connected station, unified by one login and password for all stations.

How does it work?

When a user launches the software the system will contact the license server on the network. If a software license is available, the system will issue the user a license. Keep in mind, the number of concurrent users will be based on the number of product licenses purchased initially.
 
In the image below, you can see there are 8 workstations with the software installed. User 1 can open the software on any of the following computers since licenses are on a first-come-first-serve basis.

When working on a Network License it is important to keep in mind that you cannot run more copies of the BobCAD-CAM software than you have product licenses for. If this happens, users will receive a message from the software letting them know that no license is currently available.
 
The following image shows 4 users trying to access the BobCAD-CAM software at the same time when the license server only has 3 purchased licenses. As you can tell, user 4 is denied access to the software because all 3 licenses are currently being used.

How does this benefit me?

In one word: simplicity. A Network License is much more convenient than a standard PC license. With a standard PC license, users are issued a license ID and password which allows the software to run on a specific PC. If you need the software to run on a different PC you must first deauthorize it. Only then can that license be authorized to run on a different PC. Network Licensing eliminates this hassle and gives users a much more efficient process.
 
Before purchasing a Network License there a couple of questions you should ask yourself to make sure you get the most out of your license. First, are all the PCs you need to run the BobCAD-CAM software on linked together on a network? If not, you cannot use the Network License on those systems. Second, how many users will need the BobCAD-CAM software at the same time? If one or more persons need to be able to move around and access the software from different PCs on the same network at the same time then you’re a good candidate for Network Licensing.

Call one of our experienced team members toll-free at (877)-262-2231 for more information on obtaining your Network License!