Autodesk – Concurrent Use Prevention

Autodesk has been around for many years, and the license model has changed several times during that time. The current license model is a named user license, which requires a license be assigned to a user in the Autodesk account, and then that user must log in to use the software. With the adoption of the named user license, it seems that the Autodesk License Compliance department is working overtime to “catch” users violating the terms of the license agreement, and that has put us all on edge.

One of the more common ways to violate license compliance is to have AutoCAD running on two computers concurrently, with both using the same user login credentials. While users are allowed to have the software on multiple computers, like an office computer and a home computer, running the software on both computers simultaneously is NOT allowed.

Many customers have asked, “Why does Autodesk allow that to happen?” and we have never had an acceptable answer for them. Well, Autodesk has made a change that seems to have the customer’s best interest in mind: they have incorporated a feature that will not allow two computers to run with the same user credentials simultaneously.

If the check detects multiple computers running with the same user credentials, a Device Limit Reached message is presented. The dialog box presents which computers are running the same license. The user has the option to pause the software on one of the computers, which will then allow the software to run on the desired computer.

Some best practice steps for ensuring that the same license is not being opened on multiple computers:

• If you have the software on both a work and home computer and both computers are dedicated to the same user, when the user is done for the day, close the software.
• If you have the software on a shared device, such as one in a computer lab or a company conference room, have the user sign out of the product when they are finished.
• If you are using a shared computer and notice that the software starts without prompting to “Sign In,” sign out the current user and then sign in with the current user’s account credentials.
• If you’re an admin who assigns product access to users, be sure each user has a unique account and urge users to sign out when they are finished.

Although it annoys us when “rules” are enforced, it is often easier to comply if we don’t have to think about it. While wearing seatbelts is an enforced rule that ensures safety, the Device Limit Reached “rule” ensures license compliance, which will save money on fees and penalties.

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