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LMS licensing, and the death of the HASP

TheBradish
We just renewed our SMAs in our shop and upgraded to v2014.1. (For the record, I am liking the new software so far. Big jump from 4.2).

Three of our CMMs had an old 24-pin HASP, which Hexagon replaced for us with the newer USB-type. We also added an offline seat, and instead of a HASP we received a certificate with an authentication code. I have a limited understanding of this new LMS licensing, but I'm told that at installation my computer connects to Hexagon to authenticate my offline seat and enables the software. If I want to take my offline seat to another computer I will have to contact Hexagon to "return" the license, and then connect again from the new computer to authenticate that seat.

I understand that if I had a HASP for this seat, I could move to another computer with the software and plug in to begin work, without having to connect anywhere. This would be extra helpful if that offline seat had to be moved frequently, or after hours, or when our company's network was down. I contacted my Customer Relations Representative to express this, and to ask if we could get a HASP instead of the LMS.

At first my rep recommended a "Floating" license so the seat could be moved easily. When I persisted in asking for a HASP this was the response:
Just to let you know that this is the new technology moving forward...
Within the next 12-18 months all licenses will be replaced with the new technology.

I did some checking and unfortunately we will cannot exchange the LMS with the portlock.
The LMS is now the standard license.
The only thing I can suggest at this point is contacting your salesman with any issues.
Sorry I could not be of more help.


So my last option was to contact my sales rep. His reply:
Sorry, but we no longer offer HASP style licenses on new seats of PC-DMIS.

This post is not intended to complain or rant about anything. I think it's something other users should know as they move forward.
  • Out with the "old" issues and in with "new"ones. Personally, I never liked the idea of moving that little USB dongle from 1 computer to another at the cost of $10,000. Thats also the primary reason I am not able to work from home on occasion. Boss didnt like the idea of the hasp leaving the building. Both of our offline seats still have the USB style key. Someone from heaxgon told me it would be similar to how our Solidworks network license works. Software can be loaded anywhere you want, but you may only have your # of authorized seats open at time at anytime. We have yet to change over, but I would guess the salesmen always make things sound easier than they really are.
  • Someone from heaxgon told me it would be similar to how our Solidworks network license works. Software can be loaded anywhere you want, but you may only have your # of authorized seats open at time at anytime.

    That's a true "floating license" - we have the same here for SolidWorks, CATIA, Esprit, and dozens of other applications. With all of those applications, there are license files stored on our license hosting server - in our server room - and are not in any way dependent on a connection to the outside world.

    While I have not actually used the new LMS scheme, it sounds like the basic functionality is not actually a floating license, especially if you have to contact Hexagon to lease and release licenses. By comparison, even SolidWorks' standard (non-floating) licensing system allows you to access a dialog to lease and release licenses for moving between workstations with just a couple of mouse clicks - no phone calls, emails or support tickets involved.
  • Questions:

    Is the process of moving a license from one PC to another (leasing) one that can be accomplished wholly by the customer or does it require Hexagon intervention?

    If it requires Hexagon intervention is it automated on Hexagon's end or is it a process that requires human intervention on Hexagon's end?

    Again regarding whether the process requires Hexagon intervention, if it does will the process be carried out by Hexagon for customers that do not have a current SMA?
  • OK, on the forum whose name shall not be mentioned it does look like my first question has been answered in whole. It can not be done, the process requires Hexagon intervention. My second question has been answered in part in that we have been told that the process is one that can be accomplished 24/7 but not whether the process is automated on Hexagon's end or if it requires human intervention on Hexagon's end. As of now I have not seen anything that addresses my last question.
  • I'm sure this is all much ado about nothing...
    Why should I be suspicious when some company seizes the power to blackmail thousands of small machine shops into bankruptcy?

    But they wouldn't really do that, 'cause they're nice... like the government.

    I'm just curious...
    Can anybody here point to any power grab or control seizure in world history
    that worked out well for the end user?

    It concerns me when providers begin restricting me and refusing to answer questions.
    LMS is a very powerful cash extraction tool. It appears Hexagon has decided that customer
    service (product usability) must take a back seat to their long and deep seated resentment
    of those small shops who can't afford or question the value of the SMA.

    LMS gives Hexagon the power to shut down your CMMs anytime they wish... period. (edit: it is later revealed that this is not actually true)
  • it used to be that the FlexLM licensing was 'defacto' for software vendors. Then, the scheme started bouncing around and sold off to others who perverted it no end.
    After looking into the Help file for 2015? Seems Hexagon has put a new twist on it....
    Entitlement, Trusted Storage...
    "To create an offline return Request file with the given start file, the CLM Administration tools are needed" WHAT?
    I apologise for anything I posted re: HASP/CLM" Hexagon has this licensing so screwed up, I'm glad the little green dongles are all I need.
    You 'new' guys using this advanced licensing 'scheme' seem to be in for a real treat. good luck.
    My take is leave complex enough alone. Now (instead of fixing the bedbugs in the software?) It's even MORE difficult just to AUTHORIZE THE PRODUCT.
    Nice move, Hexagon. Go pound your chest on Hexagonmetrology.com about this great new 'feature'.
  • Maybe everyone is jumping to conclusions.

    Maybe the North Koreans haacked the EULA.

    Maybe the moon is made of cheese.
  • As I have heard it, machine specific licenses are locked to the computer, while offline licenses will be 'floating' and need a local license server. So, it should be possible to run offline at home, if you can VPN to your company network, and there is at least one 'seat' free (not all licenses in use).

    Note: This is not an official answer!
  • What will this do to the Romer I use?

    When in the 'lab', it's plugged into a desktop, a very powerful desktop.

    When I have to work with it outside the lab, there is a laptop. Laptops are not as powerful as desktops. I woudl sure hate to have to call up to get the 'dongle' switched from one PC to the other.
  • I haven't the faintest idea. Portable equipment is 'special' as that license works both online and offline. Which flavour it would get as an LMS license only the Wilcox people can answer.

    But I haven't heard anything about calling back existing USB locks (yet!), only new licenses are affected so far.
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