Software Licensing

I know I need to speak to a sales-guy regarding software licencing. Something I've been avoiding. Once sales knows you are interested it is hard to shake them. I'm a long way from a purchase commitment still exploring options.

colporteur I loaded up EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert (v3.4) last night and it looks like it is licensed to my laptop.  The older (trial) version (v3.2) was licensed through a web portal - as is my trial version of EcoStrruxure Machine Expert.  I was not able to select Operator Terminal v3.4 through the web portal.  It was a simple (large) download.

I don't know if this helps but this is what I've experienced.

I assume you only have the equipment setup provided through the RoadTest. Is the EcoStructure software the tool to configure and manage all the equipment in the setup or is that broken across multiple applications?

I pitched an application for this RoadTest but didn't make the cut. Appreciate you responding to my inquiries.

colporteur Yes, I only have the equipment provided for the Design Challenge.  The software is not only application specific, but equipment specific as well.  For the PLC used in this Design Challenge, EcoStruxure Machine Expert is the software to program the PLC.  If you have the older M221 PLC's, you use the EcoStruxure Machine Expert - Basic (which is free).  EcoStruxure Operator Terminal Expert is the HMI software.  This one seems to work with a lot of the Schneider HMI's.  I can't say all - but that's due to my lack of knowledge.  I don't know of any limitations like with the PLCs.

While working through this, I did think "If we deployed more of these, how would we handle the licenses?"  We're a small enough company that we would have a Schneider PLC laptop for the support person and one for a field technician.  We just wouldn't have the volume of activity to justify more.  If it really took off, our next evolution is a dedicated laptop at each impacted branch and additional software for another support person that understands the software.  While I haven't tried it out yet, the HMI also has a Web Server interface - so (I assume) others can monitor without having to have the software.  I should turn that feature ON before the EOTE software expires.

In a past life I was a system administrator for multiple computer systems. The servers were scattered across a number of sites. Corporate had a management system that required client installs on the servers in order to access and monitor the system. The licensing model was confusing. 

Servers could be licensed individually or aggregated into group license. Management systems themselves also had licenses since they were divided across a number of monitoring points. It all came down to cost. Group license (blocks) would be cheaper if you had enough to fill the block. If not individual was cheaper. 

It was a nightmare keeping tract of not only servers but management systems.

I recall when MS first came out with the CAL's. Client access license. What a pain in the ***! I moved my career away from MS systems and focused on *inx instead. 

In a past life I was a system administrator for multiple computer systems. The servers were scattered across a number of sites. Corporate had a management system that required client installs on the servers in order to access and monitor the system. The licensing model was confusing. 

Servers could be licensed individually or aggregated into group license. Management systems themselves also had licenses since they were divided across a number of monitoring points. It all came down to cost. Group license (blocks) would be cheaper if you had enough to fill the block. If not individual was cheaper. 

It was a nightmare keeping tract of not only servers but management systems.

I recall when MS first came out with the CAL's. Client access license. What a pain in the ***! I moved my career away from MS systems and focused on *inx instead.