2.01.00 authorizing (licensing)

Licensing video

Once On-Screen Takeoff is installed, to use the full features of the program, such as the ability to perform takeoff, make changes to conditions or master items and change quantities, the product must be licensed with a valid activation code. This is known as being authorized or authorization.

When not authorized, a message in the bottom right corner of the program shows "no license". 

To license On-Screen Takeoff, you will need:

• Authorization code - a unique twenty-five digit number provided by On Center Software that identifies the license
• Internet access - to activate the license your computer must be able to communicate with On Center Software's licensing servers (activation is performed over Port 80 and the license is validated over Port 8888)

An active Internet connection is required to license On-Screen Takeoff (OST).  After installing OST and at least every 30 days, an Internet connection is required to validate the license. Validation is performed in the background, no user intervention is required unless the program cannot communicate with On Center's licensing servers.

• After 30 days, if OST is unable to validate the license via Internet, the license is removed from your computer.  

• If OST is installed in any virtual environment (VMWare, Virtual PC, Parallels, etc.), stand-alone (single) Activation codes cannot be used - only Floating licenses from Enterprise License Manager can be used to license the software.  In addition, accessing a machine using remote desktop that may permit multiple concurrent user logins, stand-alone (single) Activation codes cannot be used - only Floating licenses from Enterprise License Manager can be used to license the software.

To authorize using Network or Virtual License Manager (also known as using a Floating License), see Using a Floating License.

Activating On-Screen Takeoff License

• Click File > Check Authorization

• If the "Local" tab is not accessible, you may be accessing OST from a virtualized operating system or on a Tablet running a version of Windows that prevents local licensing.  See the FAQ on the Surface™ Tablet for more information.

• Enter the Authorization Code provided by On Center Software in the box and click Activate - the program sends this Activation Code to On Center Software's authorization system to validate it (case does not matter)

• Once validated, the code will be added to the "Codes" list and the licensed Features are listed:

And a confirmation prompt indicates the activation was successful

• The Check Authorization dialog box shows 'tko', 'dpc', or 'dpm' and 'sro' in the All Licenses in Use section although the bottom right corner of the application will not update until the Check Authorization dialog box is closed
• • tko - Takeoff mode license, activates Professional mode
  • dpc - Digital Production Control Foreman license
  • dpm - Digital Production Control Project Manager license
  • sro - Services mode, provides access to Project Express and other advanced features
• The Product, Version, Client ID, and OCS ID fields are populated based on the activation code used

• The authorization status in the bottom right corner of the application does not update until the Authorization dialog box is closed.

Enter additional codes

• Enter the Authorization Codes for any additional features to activate and follow the steps above
• After Activation, additional Activation Codes are shown
• Click Close to close the Check Authorization dialog and apply the license(s) to the application
• After the Check Authorization dialog box is closed, 'tko', 'dpc-foreman', or 'dpm' displays in the bottom right of the application (the Status Bar) - this indicates that the program is properly authorized and ready to use  (you may not own all features, tko is the most common - it unlocks takeoff mode)

The primary reasons for authorization Failure are:

• Incorrect Authorization code (typed incorrectly, inactive/blocked, already activated)
• No Internet connection
• Firewall blocking Internet communication (both ost.exe and fnplicensingservice.exe must be exceptions - Ports 80 and 8888)
• Product installed in a virtual environment - must use Enterprise License Manager
• Attempting to activate a code for a different product
• Attempting to activate a code that has already been activated - check with whoever manages activation codes for your company to ensure you are using the correct code

See the FAQ Troubleshooting Licensing Issues for additional information.

• If you access an "interactive" Bid while unlicensed, you will break the interactive connection.  Please see your estimating software's documentation for instructions on reconnecting.

Returning (Deactivating) a License