Microsoft Licensing and Virtualization

Virtual machines are all the rage in the IT world today. There are a number of software packages available that supply a virtual machine (VM) environment that allows the installation of a second, third or even more instances of operating systems, known as “guests,” on a single computer, known as the “host.”
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SharePoint Licensing Basics

So you want to roll out SharePoint to help collaborate on documents and data. You have heard that Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) is free and included as part of Windows Server 2003. From this, it sounds like you can just have IT install it, provide you the URL and you will be all set, however, that may or may not be the case.
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Reclaiming SmarTeam Licenses

As you may know, SmarTeam licensing is controlled by an application named License Use Runtime, or LUM. In general, LUM is responsible for tracking the total number of licenses available and the licenses in use at any particular time. By doing so it prevents users from obtaining licenses if all of the available licenses are in use.

Occasionally, a chain of events will occur that leaves a license locked. LUM usually recognizes this and frees up the license on its own after a short time period. Sometimes, however, LUM does not free up the license. Continue Reading

EPDM License File in 2009

The license keys for Conisio 6.X and PDMWE 200X have always been a character string that was entered in through the PDMWE Administration tool. Each release required a new license string to be able to login and use the software. With the release of EPDM 2009, the license tool has changed to the use of a license file instead of a license Key. Continue Reading

DriveWorks Licensing Demystified

Codes, activations, servers, it can all be so intimidating and confusing. Luckily, though, the licensing model behind DriveWorks is actually fairly simple to install, activate and maintain. All you need to understand is the background behind the security and you will be fine.

DriveWorks offers two types of licenses: static and floating. Static licenses are locked to a single computer. Anyone who uses that computer can use DriveWorks. Continue Reading

Pimp My LUM

For those of you using Dassault products like CATIA and ENOVIA SmarTeam, you’re probably familiar with IBM’s LUM product. LUM stands for License Use Management, and Dassault uses the tool to enforce licensing for many of its products. Although LUM has its roots on the UNIX platform, it has some nice features. So let’s take some time to explore those hidden gems of LUM, and as they do on MTV, “Pimp Your LUM.” Continue Reading

Releasing EPDM Licenses

EPDM has two methods for releasing a license. The first method, which is true for most software, releases a license when the user logs off the EPDM system. Please take note of the term “logs off.” Simply closing the Windows Explorer window in which the “blueberry” is accessed, does not log the user off the system and, therefore, does not release the license. When you close the Explorer Window, there will still be a blueberry icon in the bottom right of the computer’s task bar. Exiting the system requires the user to right click on the above-mentioned blueberry, and then select “log off” and the appropriate vault name. Even if the user has accessed the system through a CAD integration and not used the Explorer window, this method is still required to log off the system. Continue Reading