Changing Microvellum License Types

Changing Microvellum License Types

This article documents the process of switching between the types of licenses available to clients using Microvellum's SLS (Software Licensing System) and explores the differences in functionality between the different types of Microvellum licenses. For a full detail of each respective license type and their capabilities, visit our Overview on the topic. 

License Types

  1. FLA ("Floating License Activation”) the default type of license issued to clients. FLA licenses operate the software on a session basis, requiring a constant internet connection, with an infinite number of installations and activations. 
  1. SLA ("Single License Activation") a license available upon request or during the initial purchase process for clients who have less reliable internet connection, with an automatic 7-day period in which one can work offline before requiring internet connection for the license to authenticate, with a limited number of device-locked installations and activations. 
  2. WRT are Downloadable Licenses with Trigger Codes, is a license distributed sparingly on a case-by-case basis to specific clients who lack any connection to the internet and therefore cannot utilize either an FLA or SLA. These licenses are single device usage only and may be activated via telephone.

Requesting a License Change

If one wishes to change their license from an FLA-type to one less dependent on a connection, the alternative would be an SLA-type (or, in extremely rare circumstances, a WRT-type). To change one's license type:
  1. Log into your account on the Microvellum Client Portal.
  2. Navigate to "My Cases" and open a new support case. 
  3. Give the case a title that indicates the intent to change license types, select “Software Management” as the case type and “General License Information” as the reason for the request.
  4. In the description field of the case, explain the details of the request including the number of licenses you would like to convert to SLA-type licenses.
  5. Microvellum staff will reach out once the case is submitted.

FLA License Features

  1. Unlimited Activations: Clients utilizing FLA-type licenses are able to install and utilize Microvellum across multiple devices, the only limitation being the number of users who can concurrently run sessions (these are referred to as "seats" in most documentation).
  2. As an example, if someone purchased 5 licenses for Microvellum OEM 2024, they could install and activate their OEM 2024 software on up to 50 devices (this is the default cap, more activations can be requested), but only 5 people can have an open session in the software at the same time.
  3. When a software session is opened, it claims a seat from the available pool, with the seat not being returned until the session is closed.
  1. Session Management: FLA-type licenses have a functionality that enables them to work offline for a maximum of 168 hours or 7 days. This is achieved by checking out a session, a process which downloads a temporary local read-only license file to one's device.
  2. To check out a license, click the “Session Management" hyperlink in the top right corner of either the software's splash screen (the UI that appears upon startup), or navigate to the About Microvellum UI under the "Help" tab. In the session management interface, enter the intended session duration, and click "Check-Out". If a session disconnects from the internet while checked out, the session should remain open and ready for active use for the maximum time period of 7 days. Once a connection has been re-established, or one wishes to end the session and start a new one, merely open the Session Management interface again, and select "Check-In". 
  1. Limits: FLA-type licenses, as previously mentioned, require consistent and stable internet connection. If one is disconnected from the internet, the software will lock after a short period and a mandatory warning message to reconnect.
  2. Checking out a session requires an internet connection for the initial check-out.
  3. The 168-hour period counts down even when the software is not in use (the 168 hours are the time between check-out and the intended check-in, when the license needs to be re-authenticated, not 168 hours' worth of software usage.)
  4. While a session is checked out, that session claims a seat from the available pool of seats, which will remain claimed until the session is checked back in. Moreover, when a session is checked out, the session is restricted to the device that it was checked out upon. As such, switching devices to gain access to an already existent session is not possible. 

SLA License Features

  1. Less Strict Connection Requirement: Clients who purchase SLA-type licenses will still require internet connection for initial activation process but will be able to open and launch the software without requiring it to run the session. This is because SLA-type licenses download a local file to the device they are installed on upon activation, 
  1. 7-Day Automatic Timer: Clients with SLA licenses will still have a periodic verification by the server, though this period will be longer than FLA, being once every 7 days. The refreshing of the license is also automatic, meaning that it will not be affected by sudden loss of internet connection, and once connection is restored, it will not require any additional steps for the 7-day timer to reset. 
  1. Limits: Unlike the FLA, the SLA license can only be activated on a single device, needing to be deactivated and reactivated to be transferred between devices. One is only capable of activating and deactivating a license a set number of times. 
    1. For example, if one purchases a license, has 5 employees, and wants all of them using an SLA-type license, one will have 1 license with 5 activations. That means the license can only be activated (and deactivated) up to 5 times before needing to submit a support request to request more activations/deactivations. 
  2. SLA licenses still require internet connection for the initial activation, meaning if one is disconnected, one cannot move the license between devices.