Overview
This page covers software licensing and product details. You'll learn about our three main licensing methods (Hardkey, Softkey, Online Activation) and the procedures for license migration and termination. We'll detail the types of licenses we offer and classify our products by series, model, and family.
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About The Evaluation Version
Our platform doesn't require a license for you to explore the engineering space! With the evaluation version, you'll be able to run the solution for only 2 hours, but there is no limitation on engineering time.
When installing in a business production environment, a license is required. The license terms do not allow using the 2-hour execution for that purpose, except for training purposes.
Licensing Methods
The licensing methods include Hardkey, Softkey, and Online Activation.
Hardkey
A hardkey license is stored on a flash drive sent to the client. The advantage of using a hardkey is that the license is not linked to a single computer, unlike softkey licenses.
If the flash drive goes missing, a new license must be acquired, as there is no replacement for the lost hardkey.
Softkey
The softkey license is generated by the equipment SiteCode. In order to obtain this file, do the following steps:
Go to the Solution Manager / License and click Get site code.
Send the generated file to a Tatsoft employee, and they will generate a license key.
Click the Load license key button on the License Information to load the received key.
Online Activation
With the online activation, a softkey license is generated, which is not linked to a computer.
The advantage of using an online activation license over the regular Softkey license is that it can be deactivated and reactivated in order to switch equipment.
To activate a license, go to the Solution Manager / License Information and click the OnlineActivation Activate button. Enter your SerialNumber and ActivationCode in the popup window that appears.
Offline Activation
This activation method allows to license computers that are not connected with the internet.
To activate a license, go to the Solution Manager / License Information and click the Get Site Code button
This procedure will allow you create a file with information about your installation, Send that file to your supplier, or distributor, to receive back a LicenseKey file.
Once in possession of the LicenseKey file, go to the Solution Manager / License Information and click the Load License Key button, and selected the LicenseKey File.
The new license will be applied to the computer.
License Server
This license models deploys a Server providing licenses to any device on that local network.
→ For information, check the License Server Setup page.
OEM embedding
The platform also support License Sever and embedding licenses into OEM software solutions or physical devices. For more information if you have those requirements, contact us!
License Types
The licensing types include Engineering and Runtime, Runtime, and Developer.
Runtime
Users are not allowed to edit a Solution. However, the ‘.tproj’ or ‘.dbsln’ file can run without limitations. A Solution can be edited even if it is located on equipment licensed for RuntimeOnly. To do so, a product with an Engineering license can perform a remote connection to the RuntimeOnly (through the Solution Manager / Server). That way, a single Engineering license can edit multiple Solutions deployed on site.
Developer
A Developer license allows maintenance and validation stations to run the solutions for up to seven days.
Product Model and Family
The number of maximum communication points available for a solution can be adjusted according to the license type.
The existing licenses types are:
FrameworX
FactoryStudio
EdgeHMI
EdgeGateway
The current License type, designed Product Family, and Product Model can be found in the Your License. There are many communication protocols available regardless the license. However, some communication protocols must be acquired separately, such as OSIsoft PI and DNP 3.0.
Supported Features Matrix
This Table summarizes which Modules are available to each Family.
FrameworX Unlimited | |
|---|---|
| For Enterprise solutions |
| Everything included on FactoryStudio and more |
| Unlimited clients (.NET Smart Client, Web, HTML5, iOS) |
| Unlimited Points IO |
| Unlimited Drivers |
| Unlimited features, in practice there is no limit, other thane your hardware |
Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Product Family | FrameworX |
Product Model | Unlimited |
Canary Historian | 100 tags (Free) |
Default Code | VB.NET, C#, Python |
FactoryStudio | |
|---|---|
| Powerful and flexible tool for data collection and management, dashboard and report creation, and more. |
| Everything included on Edge HMI and more. |
| Scalable, by the IO number & clients |
| 70+ drivers included at no extra cost |
| Advanced scripting: C#, VB.NET, Python |
| Redundancy available |
| SDK Extensions/Toolkits included |
Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Product Family | FactoryStudio |
Product Model | 15000 |
Canary Historian | 100 tags (Free) |
Default Code | VB.NET, C#, Python |
EdgeHMI | |
|---|---|
| Connect with drivers and PLCs, build HMIs, and more. |
| Everything included on EdgeGateway and more: |
| Scalable, by the IO number & clients |
| 70+ drivers included at no extra cost |
| Build Graphical Displays for User Interface |
| Thousands of Symbols |
| 8 different channels for any model, as the number of points is limited to 1500, in practice this is also a hard limit to reach. |
Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Product Family | EdgeHMI |
Product Model | 1500 |
Canary Historian | 100 tags (free) |
Default Code | VB.NET, C#, Python |
EdgeGateway | |
|---|---|
| Embedded device communications and processing at the edge or as flexible secure gateway |
| 70+ drivers included at no extra cost |
| OPC UA Client/Server |
| MTT Client / Broker |
| Device Redundancy available |
| Unlimited Model – Unlimited (256 channels), 15k points Model – 16 channels, 75 points to 5k points Model - 4 Channels |
Product Specification | |
|---|---|
Product Family | EdgeGateway |
Product Model | 1500 |
Default Code | VB.NET, C# Python |
Procedures to Migrate or Kill a License
Migrating from One Computer to Another
Send the SiteCode file from the original computer.
The SiteCode will be processed, and you will receive a temporary license to install on the original computer.
Install the temporary license on the original computer.
After installing the temporary license on the original computer, generate and send the SiteCode file from the original computer again. This verifies that the temporary license has been installed properly.
Generate and send the SiteCode file from the new computer.
The SiteCode will be processed, and you will receive the license for the new computer.
Install the new permanent license on the new computer.
Migrate a Softkey to Hardkey License
Send the SiteCode file from the computer.
The SiteCode will be processed, and you will receive a temporary license to install on the computer.
Install the temporary license on the computer.
Attach the USB LicenseKey to the computer.
Generate and send the new SiteCode file after the temporary license has been installed.
The SiteCode will be processed, and you will receive a LicenseKey file to load onto the computer with the USB LicenseKey.
Killing a License
Send the SiteCode file from the computer.
The SiteCode will be processed, and you will receive a temporary (3-10 days) license to install on the original computer.
Install the temporary license on the original computer.
After installing the temporary license on the original computer, generate and send the SiteCode file from the original computer again. This verifies that the license has been applied properly.
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