MSM Licensing Overview

[DaveCVI]

MSM Licensing:

This post describes the license model for MachStdMill.

• MachStdMill is licensed via a traditional "one time" software license approach.
Once activated a MachStdMill license will not "time out"; A purchased license permits continual usage of the purchased version.

• MachStdMill does not require a network connection for operation.
(However, network dependent features will not be available to a user that chooses to run MSM on a PC which is not net connected).

• A single MachStdMill license covers both an actual CNC control PC and a "sim" PC. You will not need to purchase two licenses in order to use both a control and Sim PC.

• The CVI software store enables MachStdMill licenses to be purchased Online 24/7.

• A purchased license may be activated either
Online (direct from the MachStdMill PC) 24/7 , or
Offline (Via another PC) 24/7

• A MachStdMill license purchase includes an update period during which all updates released during the update period may be installed and used. This period is designed to give the user an extended time after license purchase during which all MachStdMill updates are available.

After the free update period, subsequent product updates are available via purchase of an license update period. Each purchased update period will enable access to all updates released before the end of the update period.

Update extensions are more cost effective for the user that purchasing a new license and include all features released as part of an update. It is not CVI's policy to artificially delay new features in order to bunch them together into a "new paid release version".

Update period extensions are specific to a MachStdMill license and are available to existing licensees via the CVI Customer service portal. To see the options available to you, you will log into your account in the customer service portal (account information is supplied as part of a license purchase).

• Online / Offline activation and operation: There has been some serious misinformation propagated about this topic in another online forum.

Installation, Activation and operation are different things. The MSM user manual has been enhanced to clarify the differences.

MSM Activation:
Activation is the process by which a trial installation changes into a licensed installation.
Activation requires interaction with a 24/7 online license service.
The interaction with that service can be accomplished in two different ways:

• Online activation
In this method, the PC with the installation being activated communicates over the net to the license service.
This is the quickest, most convenient method for activation (typically a 5-10 second fully automated process). It does require that the installation PC be online (for the online activation process duration).
Survey data so far shows this to be the most desired activation method.

• Offline activation
[Notice: This feature is deprecated. While it still works, it is no longer being maintained and will probably be removed in a future release.]
This method does not require the installation PC to be directly connected to the net (ever).
The need for a net connection to the MSM PC can be avoided. Doing so requires some more effort by the user as the process can no longer be 100% automated.
The general approach is
1) the installation PC generates some files which the user stores on a portable storage device (small thumb drive).
2) The device is taken to a “proxy PC” (any PC which is on the net) and the proxy PC is used to interact with the license service.
3) The thumb drive is then taken back to the installation PC to complete the activation process.

See the user manual for documentation of the Proxy activation facilities.

• Installation Deactivation
This is supported via both the online method and proxy methods.

MSM Operation:

Online / Offline operation:
Once offline activation is included, MSM does NOT require a network connection to operate. You may operate MSM offline for as long as you prefer to run that way.

MSM will take advantage of a network connection if it is present. a network connection can be leveraged to enhance convenience and productivity.
Some examples: getting notified by email of available updates & direct access to the user forum from MSM.

Other online oriented features are expected over time. However, they are not required for MSM operation.

For those that feel religious fervor about either having or not having a net connection to a CNC control, the choice is left to you. W/o a net connection you will simply not be able to utilize net oriented features.

FYI, There is additional information in the form of a FAQ re licensing & updates on the licensing page of the http://www.CalypsoVentures.com site.

Dave