NI Alliance Partner Software (APS) Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Alliance Partner Software?
   
   Alliance Partner Software (APS)*  is a software package purchased on an annual lease basis by NI Alliance Partners. It serves as the membership fee and includes a license to more than 60 NI software tools offered exclusively to our Alliance Partners at a 97 percent discount. The lease comes in bundles ranging from 1 to 100 seats. NI Alliance Partners are required to renew the NI Developer Suite SRL license annually to remain active in the Alliance Partner Network.

   *This product was originally the NI Developer Suite Software Reference Library (SRL).

2. What is included in APS?
   APS includes the following:
   

   • All software and options on the Software Platform Bundle, including the Circuit Prototyping Option
   • Other NI software added to the offer that is exclusively for Alliance Partners
   • Standard support per user

For the complete list of what is shipped with the product, see APS Components.

1. What software options are NOT included in APS?
   
   Most NI software is included in APS. In addition, Alliance Partners can purchase NI products not included in APS separately with a 40% of local list price. For the complete list of what is shipped with the product, consult the APS Components.
   
2. Why did NI move the SRL to a lease model with this type of activation?
   
   Since its inception, APS has been a special yearly lease option available only to Alliance Partners. Recently, because APS was based on an obsolete activation scheme, we had to update it. The new activation helps us to explore ways to increase benefits to our partners, such as longer renewal intervals for your software and NI certifications.
   
3. Why did NI change the media type of the APS? Can I still get DVDs?
   
   The APS using the USB platform includes even more media and delivers downloads at a faster rate using USB stick instead of traditional DVDs. If you need DVDs, please submit a request to your local NI sales representative/sponsor referencing your serial number.
   
4. Where is the APS product page on ni.com?
   
   Please go to NI Alliance Partner Software
   
5. Is there a Mac/Linux version available?
   
   Yes. For Mac/Linux users, please request that the part number 784279-03 be added to the order. This is the part number that will flag the APS order as one that needs to run on a Mac/Linux operating system. Use this for all APS orders regardless of the number of seats that are being purchased. Each year Partners need to renew the main license part numbers and place NCPS order for the Linux and Mac part number at renewal. Mac 64-bit can be ordered by NCPS part number 782438-03 which is the replacement media for LabVIEW 2014 Professional for OSX. It includes both 32-bit and 64-bit.

• Each year Partners need to renew the main license part numbers and an NCPS order will be entered for the Linux and Mac part number.
• Mac 64-bit can be ordered by NCPS part number 782438-03 which is the replacement media for LabVIEW 2014 Professional for OSX. It includes both 32-bit and 64-bit.
  
  

1. How long is the activation period per seat in my APS?
   
   APS is valid for 1 year from the renewal date.
   

2. What is the usage policy per seat?
   
   Each seat of the NI DS- SRL is under a named-user license and can be multisite. This implies the following:

   • Each seat is tied to a single user.
   • Software may be installed on three business computers at any given time.
   • Software may additionally be installed on one home computer.
   • Software can execute on only one computer at a time.
3. May I use the APS license at our branch offices?
   
   The software may be used at the customer’s sites around the globe when in accordance with the named-user license. This means that the company should purchase a sufficient number of seats to allow each developer to comply with the named-user license model as described.
   
4. Who is eligible to purchase APS?
   
   Alliance Partner companies who are actively involved in the delivery of products, systems, and services related to NI as indicated by the Alliance Partner application and membership profile can use APS. This software package does not extend to areas of an Alliance Partner’s organization that may use NI products, but are not actively involved in the delivery of products, systems, and services related to NI.
   
5. Can an Alliance Partner purchase APS for resale?
   
   No. APS is for internal development purposes only and cannot be transferred from the partner to a customer.
   

6. Where can I find the EULA (End User License Agreement)?
   
   EULAs are located in the \Shared\MDF\Legal\license directory.

   Every machine with NI software installed will have a file in the Program Files directory called _Legal Information.txt that contains instructions how how/where to find all EULAs and other legal information on the system.

1. Is the same license used for all my APS seats?
   
   Yes. The same license or Serial Number is used for all seats.
   
2. Does my serial number change when I renew the product?
   
   No, the Serial Number is used for all seats on renewal if the renewal part number is used - APS renewal part number: 940155-10.
   
3. What is my serial number?
   
   Where Do I Find the Serial Number of my National Instruments Product?

1. Does APS cover old versions of NI products?
   
   Yes. To activate older software using an APS serial number, you must use NI License Manager 3.7 or later. Visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code nilm to download the latest version of the NI License Manager.

1. Please go to NI Alliance Partner Software

1. Do Alliance Partners have to renew their annual APS lease?
   
   Yes. APS is a lease which must be renewed on an annual basis. This ensures that our partners have the most up-to-date NI software and are recognized as an active Alliance Partner. The APS software will deactivate if not renewed on time.
   
2. What happens if my software deactivates?
   
   The message will show that your license is expired and ask you to reactivate the software. You will not be able to continue using the software.
   
   Lease Activation for Alliance Partners with Software Reference Library
   
3. How do I Renew or Upgrade my license?
   
   Click here and enter your serial number to see how many days until expiration and to Renew or Upgrade your license.
   
4. How do I renew service for APS if the previous APS has already expired or deactivated?
   
   You will be allowed to renew using your same serial number and without penalty. The renewal part number for all APS is 940155-10.
   
5. Can I verify that the correct seat number will be renewed?
   
   Yes. Your quote and your order will include the serial number and service dates. You can see that you have the correct part description by logging into your MyNI account at ni.com/myni.
   
6. Do I use the same Serial Number to re-activate?
   
   Yes. You will use your current Serial Number and the renewal part number 940155-10 to re-activate. The same Serial Number will be used in all the computers when the software is installed.
   
7. What is the Renewal Part Number?
   
   The renewal part number 940155-10 covers the license seats and service. The renewal part number, 940155-10, will pull in the correct price per APS serial number.

1. I have added a developer. I now have 6 people developing in LabVIEW, but I have a 5-seat SRL. I understand that I need to use the 10-Seat APS PN 777909-3510. How will I be charged?
   
   You will pay full price for the new 10 Seat APS, PN 777909-3510, and then receive credit for the original 5 seat license.
   
2. We install LabVIEW on almost all systems during the development phase. How will we manage this going forward?
   
   You will be able to continue using LabVIEW on several machines as you do now. This is typically done for debug and deployment.
   
3. How can I create multiple virtual machines without licensing each one?
   
   Create an Image Containing NI Software Without Activating on Each Computer

1. How can I install and activate my APS?
   
   Install NI software from the APS disks or NI website as normal. If an Internet connection is available, activate software with a APS serial number as outlined in this FAQ under the “How Do I Activate My Product” section:

   Activation FAQ

2. I do not have an Internet connection. How can I generate an activation code?
   
   If an Internet connection is not available, you may generate an activation code by visiting NI Product Activation.

3. How Can I Find My Computer ID?
   
   How can I find my Computer ID” section of the FAQ below. Enter your computer ID and serial number.

   Activation FAQ

4. May I call or email National Instruments for assistance in obtaining activation codes?
   
   Click here to contact an engineer, speak with customer service, or call a technical representative for more information.

1. How can I transfer a system to another user?
   
   The APS license is only usable by NI Alliance Partners. If a system has been developed using this license and will then be transferred to a customer or other non-affiliated end-user, visit the NI License Manager and right-click the affected items to deactivate before the transfer.
   

1. Can my APS license be used with Virtual Machines or PC images?
   
   APS licenses may be used on VMs or images. However, if those VMs or images are copied, then the NI software on those copies will no longer be activated. This is because the computer ID will not be the same for any copies made. In this situation, when LabVIEW or other software is launched, the following screen will result:
   
   
   
   As indicated, the software will indicate "No License Available", which indicates an invalidated activation. Checking the NI License Manager utility will display information similar to below:
   
   
   
   

   Re-activate the software by right clicking the item with a red exclamation and choosing “activate”. Enter your serial number when prompted.

   APS changed to a lease model in July 2013. So, if a PC, Virtual Machine, or image was activated with a APS license before this time and then copied, a special case arises. The activation prior to July 2013 used a permanent time limit, while the new method expires after one year. The existing license files used by NI software will have a permanent time limit and will not be compatible with this new serial number.

   In order to resolve this issue, the affected license files must be replaced with evaluation license files. The activation process should then be repeated.

   To find an evaluation license file for affected software, module, or toolkit, visit the link below or search ni.com for evaluation license files. On the individual license file page, follow the installation instructions. Make a copy of the existing license file before replacing it with an evaluation license.

   Evaluation License Files

   If the necessary evaluation license is not available, large volumes of license files must be replaced, or to ask further questions, contact NI support and reference this article.

• NI Developer Suite - Software Reference Library Components
• Getting Started with NI Products