Single User (Subscription) Accessing Multiple Computers

[kburg]

In our Engineering department, each user has access to a unique desktop (primary), a laptop for travel, a common shop computer (that we hoped to use infrequently to answer questions on while on the floor) and a home computer.  We believed that with our new subscription package, that a single user could access their software from multiple locations by logging in/out at each location prior to accessing the software from a different location as long as that user was not accessing the software at two locations simultaneously.  It seems like this might not be true as I can find no way to log out of the software and, when tested, I was able to open a session on both my computer and my laptop without a flag or warning.  

I do not want to run afoul of the license agreement by not understanding the rules.  Am I, as a single user allowed to use multiple computers on a daily basis as long as I close one instance before walking to another location to open a new one?  If so, is it an honor system that I am not currently using both if it only checks in every thirty days?  If not, what are the correct restrictions on the use in regards to a single user using multiple computers, non-simultaneously, as our reseller may have misled us with incorrect information.

For background, we have (6) single user licenses (converted recently from maintenence) and (6) users of Inventor/Autocad.

[EricsUsername]

ahem..I read the T&C/EULA and my question wasn't about finding something in something or whatever you alluded towards... it was about how/if the license manager handles any of the terms-awareness-or-handles certain terms for the user. 
>>You shouldn't reply to your own assumptions that you conjure from reading someone else's words.
>> I suggest that you try reading posts at verbatim and leave your assumptive thinking out of the equation. Perpetually.
--
I do hope no one else adds a crude reply that adds nothing to this discussion.

[Anonymous]

---

@EricsUsername wrote:

ahem..I read the T&C/EULA and my question wasn't about finding something in something or whatever you alluded towards... it was about how/if the license manager handles any of the terms for the user.
>>You shouldn't reply to your own assumptions that you conjure from reading someone else's words.
>> I suggest that you try reading posts at verbatim and leave your assumptive thinking out of the equation. Perpetually.

---

My reply wasn't directed to you personally, I addressed your response because it was the most recent post. 

I'm not sure how your sulking adds anything to the discussion. This will be my last response to you.

[EricsUsername]

Whatever you need to tell yourself.

[leowarren34]

@EricsUsername Just because @Anonymous comment doesn't help doesn't make it's use null. 

Another funtion of the Autodesk Knowledge network is to act as an archive for solutions and future users.

If you want concrete answers from Autodesk contact support or I'll see if @natasha.l can help us get you a resolution.

[EricsUsername]

Hi Leo
I think it would be great to have a quick chat with a knowledgeable support person who has the proverbial key to the satiable knowledge.

[natasha.l]

Hello @EricsUsername,

I wanted to circle back & break down the documentation we have regarding our Autodesk Licensing Agreement. We have to be aware that there are 3 different actions & I have listed them below. 

Single-user Subscription Licenses

1. Installing on multiple computers - Your subscription software can be installed on more than one computer. A Named User may access Autodesk Account and/or Install and/or Access Benefits on multiple Computers.
2. Logging into your Autodesk products & services -  A Named User may not be Logged On to Autodesk Account or Accessing Benefits on more than three (3) Computers simultaneously;
3. Using & Operating your Autodesk software  -  A Named User can only sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time

*Direct links to our documentation are provided.

Please let me know if you have any further questions. To stay complaint, please refer to the Software License Agreement for your specific product for more information.

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[leowarren34]

Thanks @natasha.l for clearing this all up.

[EricsUsername]

Hi Natasha, thank you for posting. 
This entire post is genuine, friendly, and curious for the sake of ensuring compliance in day to day living.

I'm re-posting my question(s) for you with different wording as to help clarify our communication. 
I appreciate your help.   We appreciate your help. 
> The answer to this question is not found in the EULA. <

QUESTION 1: (please read this post at verbatim. Thk U)
► Would the license manager and/or software program(example Maya/Mudbox/3dsMax/etc), inform you about another running instance of the program on another machine *or* would the program be stopped from starting if you're signed into the software and/or 'using/running/stopped in background/etc' the software on another machine ? 

*THIS COULD BE CALLED USER-AWARE-COMPLIANCE  *AND IT IS A VERY GOOD THING for the userbase.*

While reading up on this topic, several of us have encountered varying degrees of answers that deduce to : the license manager and/or softwares have this capability but that it's possibly only implemented on certain products/suites/etc.  ?? 

Summed up;(now that I provided information to help shape your focus)
Does the license manager or the softwares inform users of other active instances on other machines ?
(An odd example : if a program is stalled in background and didn't fully start on machine A, a user moves to backup work machine... which could cause a false flag..etc etc)
• If the license system/software does not aid the user in compliance, then would there be a known reason why ?  *Thk U*



QUESTION 2:
Can a user use multiple instances of the same program (or different versions of the same program) on 1 machine ? 
// Example: Plugin development work could benefit from running instances of the same program but different versions, on the same machine. 
-- I plan on developing plugins for 3dsMax... and I would like to know if I can use different versions simulataneously on the same machine for debugging the plugins.


THANK YOU NATASHA! 
I appreciate your help.   We appreciate your help. 

[EricsUsername]

LOL Leo, it didn't resolve the Question. Are you ok mate ?

[natasha.l · Accepted solution]

Hello @EricsUsername, 

You mentioned, that you are developing plugins for Autodesk software, many of your questions can be answered when part of the Autodesk Developer Network. Please be aware that Autodesk does not disclose confidential license compliance information to the public, you may want more detailed information that will not be provided on this forum. 

QUESTION 1: (please read this post at verbatim. Thk U)
► Would the license manager and/or software program(example Maya/Mudbox/3dsMax/etc), inform you about another running instance of the program on another machine *or* would the program be stopped from starting if you're signed into the software and/or 'using/running/stopped in background/etc' the software on another machine ? 

*THIS COULD BE CALLED USER-AWARE-COMPLIANCE  *AND IT IS A VERY GOOD THING for the userbase.*

While reading up on this topic, several of us have encountered varying degrees of answers that deduce to : the license manager and/or softwares have this capability but that it's possibly only implemented on certain products/suites/etc.  ?? 

Answer: Yes, the program would be stopped from starting & receive an error.

QUESTION 2:
Can a user use multiple instances of the same program (or different versions of the same program) on 1 machine ? 
// Example: Plugin development work could benefit from running instances of the same program but different versions, on the same machine. 
-- I plan on developing plugins for 3dsMax... and I would like to know if I can use different versions simulataneously on the same machine for debugging the plugins.

Answer: Yes, the program can have several instances running (versions etc.) when operated by the same user on the same device.

Thank you for your patience & I hope this answered your questions. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[EricsUsername]

Thanks for the reply @natasha.l !

I'm sending you a private message. It's more appropriate than replying the information in here.
It's in regards to second question/answer.

[EricsUsername]

@natasha.l .. please read my private message to you.
It is in regards to you providing information here that conflicts with the T&C/EULA.

I didn't want to write that line, but since you haven't read the message, I felt it urgently important to inform you of this.

Happy Holidays to you

[natasha.l]

Hello @EricsUsername, 

This is the Installation & Licensing forum which provides customer support regarding these subjects, the License Compliance team does not assist or have a presence on this forum. For questions regarding License Compliance, please visit the site so they can further answer your questions. 

Software License Agreements

"Autodesk software is not sold. Rather, we license it to the end user under the terms of a software license agreement, (customers should always review the EULA for their specific application). The terms of Autodesk's software license agreements may vary depending upon the specific software product and version that you licensed from Autodesk as well as the specific geographical region in which you obtained your software license. https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/software-license-agreements-legacy ."

[EricsUsername]

< Edited post. > 

[leowarren34]

@EricsUsername I believe Natasha to not be a bot due the detailed linkedin profile and natural responses.

Although Natasha is very good at what she does, kudos to her support

[itsupport]

Hello @natasha.l 

I know this is a old Post, but it can help me out i think.

With the change Autodesk is performing now to only "named users" i.e. 1x multi-user is transitioned into 2x singel-named user

Does those rules and links you provided for the "singel-user" in 2019 stay the same with the new licensing models?

(do the new named-user perform the same as the old singel-user did....)

thank you

[leowarren34]

Hi @itsupport,

The single-user license type discussed above is the same license type as what the multi-user license type is moving to.

Named-user and single-user are the same type of license.

[itsupport]

Thanks

Well I have 2 different statements, according to natasha it goes like this:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Can-I-install-my-softwar...

Solution:
Subscription software can be installed on more than one computer. However, only the named user can sign in and use that software on a single computer at any given time.
Please refer to the Software License Agreement for specific product for more information.

What I have found contradicts the above statement:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Best-pra...

Single-user access
If you have a single-user subscription or a single-user maintenance plan, use your serial number or Autodesk ID (email address and password) to activate and access software on your home computer. Note: Only one instance of the software can be active at any given time, either on your work computer or on your home computer, but you can have software installed on up to three devices.

Open question:
I am concerned with the limitation of the software installation to only 3 devices! According to Natasha the software can be installed unlimited, correct?

Also, new with the two-factor authentication, do you now have to have your QR code at hand every time you log in?

[leowarren34]

Hi @itsupport 

Delving into the T&Cs I found:

2.4.4  A Named User may access Autodesk Account and/or Install and/or Access Benefits on multiple Computers, provided that a Named User may not be Logged On to Autodesk Account or Accessing Benefits on more than three (3) Computers simultaneously. https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/autodesk-terms-and-conditions/eng_autodesk...

As for 2FA: Two-step verification allows you to add an extra layer of security by requiring a security code when you sign in to anything using your Autodesk ID. This includes Autodesk Account, Autodesk products, and more. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/account-management/account-profile/account-security/...

[itsupport]

I'm still not sure if this is enough of an answer!

OFFTOPIC I think 😜 Just want to write down some thoughts

The following scenario:

- NOW 20 multi-user licenses distributed to 50 clients with a staff of 50 people
The use of the licenses is different, but every Project Leader can work with the Autodesk programs and must be able to do so spontaneously. For minor corrections or substitution in case of e.g. illness of a team member.

- LATER 40 Named-User licenses on 50 clients distributed to now only 40 users, so it must be sorted out who does not get a license. The PL e.g. who was in the program maybe once every 3 weeks for 1 hour cannot enter the program anymore.
In addition, 20 of the 40 named licenses are used very rarely, maybe weekly for half a day.
But a full license to pay for this is already questionable, isn't it?

I know it is a big trend for software manufacturers to switch to named licenses, but no matter how I turn it around. It costs me more and I am less free to use.

NOW I pay the PEAK of the application (simultaneous use of the program) and thus the highest usage per time unit.

LATER I pay for the minimum usage per time unit, actually even more! The minimum usage is also massively more expensive than in the old multi user model.

Furthermore I am forced to monitor and optimize the usage of my colleagues myself... The administration of the whole is against the savings that it is cheaper with 4 licenses... If I don't see any savings it's simply more time and money I lose.

Back to my concern:
If I should be forced to sort out the clients, it would be an unbearable effort!

So I would like to know exactly how much more complicated is the new software distribution and use per client?