Sharing a seat of SW?

[pkelecy]

I'm currently evaluation CAD products and plan to purchase one soon. SW is high on the list (currently doing a trial in fact) but one thing I would like to be able to do is share it. I have a contractor working for me who will need it for some up coming design work. My use will be pretty minor (too many other things on my plate) so purchasing two seats doesn't make sense. I understand from my var there's a floating license option, but SW wants $2K for that (expensive for what it is, in my opinion). So are there any other options (other than share a computer, which wouldn't be very convenient)?

Thanks for any suggestions. I'm sure this is a common issue.

Pat

 

[pkelecy]

GRE,

Thanks for the explanation. I understand now.

Regardless, $2000 is still a lot to pay to float a single license. I'll pass.

I actually have several applications that use the flexLM license manager, and I've read that it's possible for one manager to host the licenses for several applications. However, I'm guessing in this case SW will only work with it's own license manager.

Pat

 

[smcadman]

Seems like installing it on a laptop and passing the laptop between yourselves would be the most affordable way to go, but you would have to make sure the laptop can handle the size of projects you are working on.



Flores

 

[sldwkmin]

Just for Clarification the activation/deactivation was never meant to be used to share licenses. That functionality is there if you should by a new PC and need to transfer your seat to the new PC. There is a "limit" on the number of activations against a license. Once you hit that peak it will be locked down and you will be forced to call your VAR every time you want to transfer. If you're sharing a license the only legal way to do it is with a floating license and as has been stated you can use a VPN to contact the license server from off site or use the borrow license functionality.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
Certified DriveWorks AE
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100
Dell M90, Core 2 Duo, 4g RAM, Nvidia Quadra FX2500M
Equus (custom), P4, 3.4g proc, 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX3400

 

[pkelecy]

Cole - thanks for the clarification. I had already gathered that activation/deactivation was not the way to go, and certainly confirmed that.

Unfortunately, adding $2K to the cost of the purchase to get a floating license is going to make SW unaffordable (at least in comparison to other CAD options we're considering). Too bad. At least it makes the decision a little easier.

Pat

 

[sldwkmin]

Pkelecy,

Don't throw in the towel too quickly! Make sure you're getting the best system, not just a system. Also SolidWorks has 0% financing going right now. That may help make it more affordable.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
Certified DriveWorks AE
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100
Dell M90, Core 2 Duo, 4g RAM, Nvidia Quadra FX2500M
Equus (custom), P4, 3.4g proc, 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro FX3400