Licensing
Understanding GoldSim Licensing
All GoldSim licenses are one-year Subscriptions (legacy perpetual licenses are discussed here). During the Subscription period, you have access to all software upgrades and technical support.
There are three different GoldSim Subscription options. Which is most appropriate for you depends on how you (or your organization) would like to use GoldSim. The table below summarizes the basic differences between the various options. The three options are discussed in further detail below the table.
| Product | Desktop | Desktop Pro | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| License License Location | Desktop/Laptop |
Desktop/Laptop |
Internal Server (users must have access to license server)* |
Software Location |
Desktop/Laptop | Desktop/Laptop | Desktop/Laptop |
Installation/Activation Process |
Simple (<5 minutes) |
Simple (<5 minutes) |
Requires IT support and maintenance of license server |
Can License Be Shared/Transferred? |
No | Yes | Yes |
Sharing/Transfer Process |
Manual | Manual | Automatic |
Can license be used simultaneously by different users? |
No | No | Yes, up to the number of Network seats purchased |
License Use Statistics |
No | No | Yes, through License Manager tools |
* A Network seat can be temporarily “borrowed” so that it resides on a Desktop/Laptop. It can be set to automatically return after a certain time (or can be returned manually).
Desktop License
A Desktop License resides on the Desktop/Laptop that is using GoldSim and is licensed for use on that computer only. As such, it can be used by one person at a time. The license cannot be transferred between computers (except for special circumstances such as updating computers or someone leaving the organization).
This is the option to choose if the license will be used on a single computer.
Desktop Pro License
A Desktop Pro License is identical to a Desktop License (i.e., it resides on the Desktop/Laptop that is using GoldSim) with one difference: the license can be electronically transferred between computers (in different locations). Because license transfers can be carried out very quickly and easily, Desktop Pro License can be easily shared among a group of users. Note, however, that it can still only be used by one person at a time.
Transferring a license takes just a few minutes. However, the process is manual: users have to take an action (press a button in GoldSim) to free the license in order to start the transfer process. If this is not done, the license remains on that computer and cannot be used by someone else.
This is the option to choose if you need to transfer the license between computers and automatic return of an unused license is not required.
Network License
A Network License allows multiple computers to access GoldSim over a network (typically a LAN). For example, a 3-seat Network license would allow up to 3 computers from anywhere on the network to concurrently (simultaneously) access GoldSim. The cost of a Network license is a function of the number of seats.
Although the software resides on each user's computer, the license itself resides on an License Server within your organization. When a user tries to GoldSim on their Desktop/Laptop, it checks to see if a seat is available on the License Server. It one is, it is acquired and GoldSim opens on that computer. When a seat is no longer in use (i.e., when the program is closed), the seat automatically returns to the license pool.
In order to use a Network license, the users must have a persistent connection to the License Server (i.e., a server within your organization where the license is hosted). Network Licenses also provide the ability for a user to temporarily "borrow" a license (such that it effectively becomes a Desktop License on the user's computer). Once a license is borrowed, a persistent connection to the License Server is no longer required. The borrowed license can be returned to the Server manually, and is returned automatically when the borrowing period expires (no more than 30 days, and can be further limited by your organization's License Administrator).
GoldSim uses Flexera's FlexNet Publisher licensing system to implement the Network (and Desktop) licenses. This is a widely-used system that will likely be familiar to IT staff in many organizations. This system provides a number of management tools for tracking and controlling usage. Detailed requirements and installation and configuration details can be found here.
This is the option to choose if 1) you have a significant number of users, but only a subset of those users need to use GoldSim at any one time; 2) you want to ensure that unused licences are automatically returned to the license pool; and/or 3) your organization would like to track and control license usage.