SOLIDWORKS Online Licensing was introduced with SOLIDWORKS 2018 SP2.0 as an alternative to machine-based activation licenses.
However, the vast majority of our clients continue to use machine activation. Given the low adoption of online licensing, it is not feasible to maintain the complex infrastructure needed to support it. Consequently, we have decided to discontinue SOLIDWORKS Online Licensing.
The target phase-out date is February 12th, 2022.
I am not really familiar with the Online Licensing… does it mean user who do not have a network license now have to “DEACTIVATE” and “ACTIVATE” when they switch machine? (eg: change pc when WFH, etc)
Are we going back in time? <()>
Seem like nowadays DS like to close/discontinue a working feature/function/platform without providing an acceptable alternative
Online licensing allowed a user to be able to work from their main system and then take a laptop or a second computer home & work on that computer. It would automatically log the other computer off so you could continue to work on the home/laptop computer. It was similar to a network license but was hosted by Solidworks. Was buggy at first but once the bugs were worked out was a good way to work remote. They did this and took away the original 2nd home license that they allowed but figured that people were using it on 2 computers at the same time at work. Then they also raised the price of the network license if you wanted to switch from a standalone to network since the online was so buggy at first. Now those that work both at their primary office & home office are going to have to remember to deactivate every time they leave so they can reactivate when they get to the other place. This is going to be a real pain for those that have no way to either remote into their other machine or access a network license via a VPN. I’m guessing they’re expecting those that want this to have to go to their “cloud” experience software which ain’t gonna happen here.
That’s likely to be just a waste of your time. Unless there is a total meltdown in the community nothing is done, and without the Solidworks forum now running that meltdown getting traction is unlikely.
I told my VAR, but since I’m not on subscription the only leverage I had was to tell them they are now not even being considered when I pay for CAD again.
I got a call back from my VAR the same day, They told me they would do what ever they can to make it easy to transfer licenses after February.
And also mentioned they saw my posts
Well looks like the guy who started this thread on the platform is going to email me how to be able to set up the equivalent to “Online” licensing using the platform tools. I’ll post whatever solution here too…Because it’ll eventually get buried over there and you’ll always be able to find it here.
I’ve also asked if there’s a guide or resource detailing the options available and how to set it up.
I ran into this a while back… Had to get a new PC for SW & Cadstar for work. Small company, I am the only person that knows how to use SW. I was using the 2nd license thing to once in a while work at home, and home hobby projects. They took that away, and I would have to do that unlicense / relicense thing every time I needed to do something at home. What a PITA.
I’m going to have to find a different stand alone program to use, since when I retire, I won’t have access to SW. I’d rather not loose access to my models, etc… Or be held hostage to some online cloud based never ending fee package. Also, can’t afford to build a new current version computer every handful of years. Hell, SW from around 2010 did everything I need to do, and still would, if it would run without a license.
I’ve emailed my VAR which is Trimech out of Virginia three times & have heard absolutely nothing in response to what they’re going to try to do and we still pay maintenance. But after this club up along side of the head move that’s about to stop as well. If they can’t give us a satisfactory solution at the same price that we had why have maintenance any more. Seems like the newer the version the slower the software any more.
