NI Volume License Agreement Startup Kit

This document provides steps to guide you to success with your NI Volume License Agreement (NI VLA).

Contents

Step 1. Set Up Your New NI VLA
Step 2. Know What to Expect Throughout the Year
Step 3. Prepare for Your NI VLA Renewal
Contact National Instruments for Assistance

Step 1. Set Up Your New NI VLA

Determine Your License Models

NI offers a variety of different license models so that you can choose the most efficient way for your company to use and manage NI software with an NI VLA. You can use a combination of license models to best suit your needs and you can change the license models throughout the year. Refer to Table 1 for information about license models. To learn more, visit Understanding NI Policies.

Table 1. NI VLA License Models

License Models	Description
Named-User	A license model attached to a single user who can install the software on up to three work computers while using the software on one computer at a time. This is the most common license model.
Computer-Based	A license model attached to a single computer with unlimited users. This license model is used typically for manufacturing floors or other areas where people share computers.
Concurrent	A license model where software is installed on an unlimited number of computers. Usage is limited up to X instances of the software in use at a given time, where X equals the number of concurrent seats purchased. Concurrent licenses can be managed or unmanaged. Managed concurrent licenses restrict who can access the software according to permissions assigned in NI VLM. Unmanaged concurrent licenses are unrestricted and therefore do not have user or computer permissions in NI VLM.

Install and Configure Your License Management Tool

NI Volume License Manager (NI VLM)
Download NI VLM. For more information on getting started, refer to the NI Volume License Manager Setup section of the NI VLM Help or the NI VLM videos. The image below shows the steps to configure NI VLM.

Flexera FLEXnet
If you prefer to use Flexera FLEXnet software instead of NI VLM, refer to Getting Started with FLEXnet Manager for more information. Because FLEXnet does not provide a way for your users to receive technical support, you should send their names to agreements@ni.com.

Step 2. Know What to Expect Throughout the Year

Blocking

To give the NI VLA administrator and NI VLM full control of the licenses, by default National Instruments blocks the NI VLA serial numbers from single-seat activating. If your company needs to single-seat activate, e -mail agreements@ni.com within 30 days of the start of the contract explaining why single-seat activation should not be blocked. Otherwise, NI will automatically block single-seat activation of the NI VLA serial numbers. Serial numbers outside of the NI VLA will continue to activate.

New NI Software Releases

New versions of client software release throughout the year. With each release, you receive an e-mail announcing the client software new features. You also receive a new volume license file that includes the new version of the client software. Each time you receive a new license file, complete the following steps:

1. Install your NI volume license file.
The new license file provides the flexibility to use the latest version of the client software or continue to use the previous version.

2. Create a new Volume License Installer for the new client software and inform your users about the upgrade.

3. Create and distribute new disconnected license files to all users who have a disconnected license so that they can use the updated client software.

New NI Volume License Manager Releases

When a new version of NI VLM releases, customers using NI VLM should receive an e-mail announcing the version’s features. If the e-mail provides additional steps to fully use the new features, customers should implement those steps.

Expand User Knowledge with User Groups and NI Training

Ensure competency within your organization by maintaining a core group of individuals who are informed about a product or technology and can support and assist each other in application development. The Volume License Program groups your users, facilitating community-building activities such as user groups and product training. As activities are scheduled, help advertise them by e-mailing the NI VLA users.

Add Licenses to Your NI VLA

NI VLM has two options for adding licenses throughout the year: Pay-as-You-Go and Overdraft. With Pay-as-You-Go, you can pay for your new licenses mid-year. With Overdraft, you can pay for your new licenses at the end of the year. Refer to Understanding NI Policies to learn more about these options. FLEXlm users must pay for licenses before using them.

Step 3. Prepare for Your NI VLA Renewal

Receive Your Renewal Reminder

NI reminds you of your renewal by phone or e-mail before your renewal date.

Submit Your Activity Compliance Log

NI VLM generates an Activity Compliance Log. Open NI VLM and select File»Save Activity Compliance Log. FLEXnet users should complete the compliance form. E-mail the saved file to agreements@ni.com with the subject "Agreement Renewal."

Contact NI VLA Users

You may need to bill your NI VLA users early to send in your renewal on time.

Talk to Your Sales Person about Any Major Changes to the NI VLA

Renewal is a good time to review your agreement and consider adding software or changing license types. If you want to make changes to your agreement, contact your sales person. If you want to remove licenses from the NI VLA, you are required to pay a fee. You will receive a quote with the discussed changes to the NI VLA.

Pay for Your NI VLA Renewal Before Your Renewal Date

Software service is required for most software within the NI VLA and is charged annually. The NI VLA renewal quote will be valid until the specified renewal date. After the renewal date, the renewal price increases.

Active	Inactive: 1-60 Days	Inactive: > 60 Days
20% of new software price	30% of new software price	50% of new software price

Contact National Instruments for Assistance

If you have questions about software maintenance, ordering, or licensing or would like to confirm the products covered in your volume license, please contact National Instruments. For changes to your license file, e-mail agreements@ni.com or contact NI in the United States at (800) 433-3488, or worldwide through your local branch. Contact your sales person to purchase additional licenses or if you have questions about your NI VLA contract. For technical support using NI VLM, visit ni.com/support.