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FlexNet Embedded License Manager

Introduction​

Open iT supports FlexNet Embedded usage reporting starting Open iT version 10.2.580.

note

Tested and verified with FlexNet Embedded Server version 2020.01.0.

Open iT supports FlexNet Embedded usage reporting by polling the license servers at regular intervals to get the current status of its license use and availability.

An Open iT Core Client is installed on your license server for this collection. The data collector/preprocessor gathers the current license usage information from the license manager every hour using a 5-minute sample interval, triggering the data collection process. It also processes the gathered license usage. Once the data is preprocessed, it is transmitted to the Core Server, according to the client's timezone, for further storage, completing the license usage data collection and processing.

License Manager Utility Polling Workflow

License Manager Utility Polling Workflow


This will produce the following aggregated data types used for historical reporting:

The following sections will guide you in setting up the necessary configuration to collect and send the required data to the server.

warning

Apply the configurations shown in the Open iT client.

Requirements​

Getting the License Status Utility Binary Location​

This configuration requires the path to the license status utility binary, flexnetlsw, to obtain the license status information. Get this by following these steps:

Through the Interface​

  1. Open the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab.
  3. Locate flexnetlsw.
  4. Right-click and choose Open file location.
    The path of the binary will be displayed.

Through the Command Line​

  1. Open a command prompt with Administrator level privileges.

  2. Run the following command to locate the binary:

    Command Syntax
    where /r <installation_drive> flexnetlsw

    where <installation_drive> is the drive where the license manager is installed.

    Example
    where /r C:\ flexnetlsw

    The path of the binary will be displayed.

After verifying the path of the polling program, make sure that it is running.
Open a command prompt in the directory of the license server executable or the polling program and run the following command:

Command Syntax
flexnetlsw

Make sure no errors are encountered.

Configuring Data Collection​

These are the required steps to activate collection of usage data.

  1. Go to the Components directory, which is by default in C:\Program Files\OpeniT\Core\Configuration\Components, and back up the licpoll.xml configuration file.

  2. Open a command prompt with Administrator level privileges.

  3. Go to the bin directory, which is by default in C:\Program Files\OpeniT\Core\bin, run the command:

    Command Syntax
    cd <bin_dir>
    Example
    cd C:\Program Files\OpeniT\Core\bin

  4. Once in the directory, copy the object node genericlicense-sample and rename it to your desired name. In this example, we will use genericlicense-flexnetembedded. Run the command:

    Command Syntax
    openit_confinit -c "licpoll.license-types.genericlicense-sample=>licpoll.license-types.genericlicense-flexnetembedded"
    warning

    Element names cannot contain parentheses ( or ) because they are not valid for XML element names.

  5. Activate the collection of FlexNet Embedded data, run the command:

    Command Syntax
    openit_confinit -c "licpoll.license-types.genericlicense-flexnetembedded.active=true"

  6. Set the path to the binary used by the FlexNet Embedded License Server, run the command:

    Command Syntax
    openit_confinit -c "licpoll.license-types.genericlicense-flexnetembedded.status-command=<binary_path>"

    where <binary_path> is the obtained path in Getting the License Status Utility Binary Path.

    Example
    openit_confinit -c "licpoll.license-types.genericlicense-flexnetembedded.status-command=C:\flexnet\FlexNetEmbedded\basic\flexnetlsw"
    Optional Parameters
    ParameterDescription
    --directory <custom_path>Use this to set custom path for existing FlexNet Embedded utilities.
    --utility <specific_path>Use this to set specific path for FlexNet Embedded utilities.
    --debugUse this to turn on debug logging.
    -h, --helpUse this to display help text.
    Optional Parameters

  7. Run the following command to update the configuration files:

    Command Syntax
    openit_confbuilder --client

    Make sure no errors are encountered.

Advanced Configuration

Refer to the FlexNet Embedded Data Collection Configuration table to learn more about FlexNet Embedded configuration in licpoll.xml.

Object NameAccepted ValueDescription
activeBoolean (true or false)Setting this to true activates Abaqus/Elan usage data collection.
typeString (i.e., Abaqus)The license manager type.
intervalTimespan (e.g., P30S, P5M, P1H)The span of time between each polling round (it is recommended to set a value no less than P1M).
offsetTimespan (e.g., P30S, P5M, P1H)The span of time the aligned poll time decided by interval is shifted.
product-nameString (e.g., server;daemon)This object is defined if a vendor license name other than the default FlexNetEmbedded=%server%;flexnetembedded will be used.
license-serverString (e.g., desktop123win)The FlexNet Embedded license server name.
status-commandFileName (e.g., ${OpeniT. directories.bin}/flexlsw)The binary used to obtain status from the license manager.
status-command.argumentsString (i.e., flexnetembedded)The arguments used for the status command.
FlexNet Embedded Data Collection Configuration

Verifying Data Collection​

After configuration, you can verify that the data is collected by following these steps:

  1. Open a command prompt with Administrator level privileges.

  2. Go to the bin directory, which is by default in C:\Program Files\OpeniT\Core\bin, run the command:

    Command Syntax
    cd <bin_dir>
    Example
    cd C:\Program Files\OpeniT\Core\bin

  3. Run the command:

    Command Syntax
    openit_licpoll -# 1

  4. Verify that the temp directory, which is by default in C:\ProgramData\OpeniT\Data\temp, contains a LicPoll directory containing .data and status-*.log files.

Sample Reports​

Historical Reports​

Utilization Trend​

This sample report provides a visual representation of license activity for the selected application. It helps users and administrators quickly understand how licenses are being used, when peak demand occurs, and whether any access issues (such as denials) are happening.
It offers several key benefits:

  • Centralized Visibility – provides a clear view of license usage, availability, and denials in a single interface.
  • Optimized License Allocation – helps ensure you are not over-purchasing licenses you don't need or under-provisioning.
  • Cost Savings – identifies opportunities to downgrade or redistribute licenses, reducing unnecessary expenses.
  • Usage Trends & Capacity Planning – shows peak usage patterns, allowing better forecasting for future needs.
  • Avoiding Service Disruptions – helps prevent situations where users cannot access software due to reaching the license limit.
  • Compliance & Audit Readiness – provides a usage record to ensure compliance with vendor agreements and avoid penalties.
  • Performance & Productivity Insights – helps assess whether certain teams or departments are under-utilizing or over-utilizing software.
  • Historical and Real-Time Analysis – combines near real-time monitoring with historical trend analysis, enabling both immediate decision-making and long-term planning.

Utilization Trend

Utilization Trend

License Efficiency​

This sample report gives you helpful insights on how much time a software license has been used. It shows whether licenses are being actively used or left idle, giving you a quick way to understand how efficiently your licenses are being managed.
It offers several key benefits:

  • License Utilization Tracking – monitors how long licenses are in use during a given period and see if any licenses are not being used so they can be reassigned.
  • Optimized License Allocation – helps ensure you are not over-purchasing licenses you don't need or under-provisioning.
  • Cost Savings – identifies opportunities to downgrade or redistribute licenses, reducing unnecessary expenses.
  • Compliance & Audit Readiness – provides a usage record to ensure compliance with vendor agreements and avoid penalties.

License Efficiency

License Efficiency

Heatmap​

This sample report provides a visual representation of license usage by day of the week and hour of the day for the selected application.
It offers several key benefits:

  • Peak Usage Identification – highlights the specific days and hours with the highest demand for licenses.
  • Workload Distribution – helps balance activity by identifying underutilized periods where tasks can be scheduled.
  • Resource Planning – supports better allocation of licenses by anticipating peak and off-peak usage times.
  • User Behavior Insights – reveals patterns in how and when users access software, such as evening or weekday activity.
  • Avoiding Bottlenecks – reduces delays by planning critical tasks during low-usage hours.
  • Historical & Predictive Trends – combines weekly usage patterns with historical insights to inform long-term planning and decision-making.

Heatmap

Heatmap

Real-time Report​

This sample report shows a drilled-down feature view of the online licenses in use and the licenses available.

License Monitor Portal

License Monitor Portal

Next Steps?​

Renaming Vendor License
Renaming Features
Analysis Server: License Monitor Portal
Analysis Server: Reporting