2.03.00 Using a Floating License

Using Enterprise License Manager (a Networked license...), also called using a Floating License or a Borrowed License, means your company is using a server utility, accessible from any computer within their network, to provide authorization rather than storing licenses on On Center Software's servers.  These Network licenses can be shared by a pool of users. 

There are two methods of licensing when using Enterprise License Manager: floating and Borrowing

• Floating - analogous to going to the library and reading the periodicals - the newspaper is the reader's while they are reading it, when he or she is done, they put it back and another person can read (use) it.  The newspaper (license) remains on the premises at all times.  The program only uses a license when it is running.  When not being used (when the program is closed), the program returns the license to the pool where it can be used by another user.  Using a floating license is explained below.

• Borrowing - continuing with the library analogy, borrowing a license is like checking out a book.  For a period of time, the book (license) may leave the library and no one else has access to it.  On the expiration date, whether the user is done with the book (license) or not, it is returned to the pool.  Licenses can always be returned before the expiration date and check it out again, if needed.  Borrowing is discussed in the next article.

• The license manager administrator can limit which users are able to pull a license from Enterprise License Manager by using the Reserve function which is documented in the User Guide for Enterprise License Manager.  

• All license manager licenses are validated with On-Center Software upon use - workstations MUST have Internet access or they will be unable to use a floating license or borrow a license.  Validation is performed over Port 80.  (The license is pulled from the Licensing Server and immediately transmitted to On Center's servers for validation).  If it cannot be validated, it is immediately returned to the license manager.

Using a Floating License

• Open Quick Bid and click File > Check Authorization - the Check Authorization dialog opens
• Click on the License Manager tab if it is not already selected (when using the product in virtual environment, the "Local" tab is inaccessible)
• Type in the name of the server in the Server field, as supplied by your system or network administrator (On Center Software is not able to provide this information to you)
• Select the Float a License while Connected to your Network radio button (selected by default)

• Click Activate to request a license from the server - if a license is available, the authorization dialog updates indicating all  licenses/features available

1. • The Check Authorization dialog box shows 'est' and 'srq' 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
   • A confirmation prompt displays

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

When the application is closed, the license is automatically returned to the available pool so other users have access to the license.  The application attempts to pull a license automatically the next time it is launched, you do not have to open the Check Authorization dialog box unless your connection to the licensing server fails while you are floating a license.

Please contact your Enterprise License Manager Administrator if the application reports an error when trying to retrieve a license from the Enterprise License Manager.

Returning a Floating license Manually

To return a license to the pool of available licenses while keeping Quick Bid open, for example when a manager or supervisor simply wants to review projects,

• Open Quick Bid and click File > Check Authorization - the Check Authorization dialog appears
• Click on the License Manager tab if it is not already selected
• Click the Return button - the license is returned to the license manager
• The license is now available for another user to float or borrow
• The program will not automatically pull a license from the license pool next time it is started, the user must return to the Check Authorization dialog box and authorize again in order to use a license

• You must be connected to the original network where the license manager is running to return a license.   

  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.

Borrowing a License