License Management

You can evaluate PowerDesigner by obtaining a fully featured trial version, which expires 15 days after installation. If you need more than 15 days to evaluate PowerDesigner, you can obtain an extension from Sybase, which will be provided as a standalone local license granted for a limited period of time. To continue to use PowerDesigner after the trial period, you must purchase a regular license from Sybase or a reseller.

PowerDesigner is licensed as a package of modules, or types of model. Various packages are available, each regrouping some or all of the modules. Your permission to use these modules is controlled by the Sybase licensing system, SySam (see Installation Guide > Planning Your PowerDesigner® Installation or visit http://www.sybase.com/sysam).

The following types of license are available:

Standalone seat (local) – installed on a specific machine and cannot be used on other machines. PowerDesigner reviews the local license file and authorizes only the use of modules for which a valid license is present. This type of license is convenient for smaller teams as it does not require a license server, but does not allow you to centralize license management.
Standalone seat (served) – assigned to a specific machine but served from a license server. You must be connected to the license server to obtain the license when you start PowerDesigner, and connect to the server at least once every 30 days in order to retain it. This type of license is convenient for larger teams, when you want the security of centralized license activation and management.

Note: A 15 day grace period is granted for users with standalone licenses when the license server cannot be contacted or the license file cannot be read. There is no grace period for floating licenses.
Floating license (served) – licenses can be requested from the license server by any machine, and are returned after use, or after 3 hours of inactivity. This type of license is convenient for teams of all sizes where usage patterns allow the sharing of licenses.

You must be connected to the license server in order to obtain a license, and must remain in contact (brief losses of contact only are permitted) in order to continue using it. When a user begins to work after a period of inactivity, PowerDesigner will automatically try to obtain a license, and if it is unable to do so, will display a message suggesting that you save your work.

Note: For periods when you must be out of contact with the server, you can request a mobile license (see Obtaining a Mobile License) for up to 30 days.

License Management Wizard
The License Management Wizard provides the same licensing options as the PowerDesigner setup program. Note that you do not need to be administrator on your machine to access the License Management Wizard.
Obtaining a Mobile License
When you are using a floating license and anticipate being out of contact with the license server, you can borrow a mobile license to allow you to continue using PowerDesigner for up to 30 days.
Troubleshooting Licensing Problems
In rare cases, PowerDesigner may repeatedly fail to obtain authorization from a local license file or the license server. If this happens, you can troubleshoot as follows:

Parent topic: Getting Started with PowerDesigner