Hexagon Production Software licensing covers Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence’s CAM, CNC simulation and factory automation software. Hexagon’s legal page defines Production Software as “CNC simulation software, factory automation solutions and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD CAM) software”, naming ALPHACAM, CABINET VISION, DESIGNER, EDGECAM, ESPRIT, FASYS, JAVELIN, MACHINING STRATEGIST, MACHINE TOOL BUILDER, NCSIMUL, RADAN, SIMNC, SMIRT, SURFCAM, VISI, WORKNC, WORKPLAN and WORKXPLORE. Q-DAS and eMMA belong to the same family but have their own agreement.[2]
Versions 2024 and later are governed by the End User License Agreement last updated on 2024-01-08. The contract is formed with “the Hexagon Group legal entity identified in the installer set up program of the Software as the ‘Licensor’”.[1] The licence is “non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable, limited”, for the Licensee’s own internal use by its Authorized Users. Authorized Users are employees, plus contractors working on the Licensee’s premises on its computers who have agreed in writing to equivalent restrictions.[1] Using any part of the software outside the grant is both an infringement and a material breach. No licence exists at all if the software was not bought from Hexagon or an authorised reseller.[1]
Editions
The EULA does not define product editions. Each product is licensed by module or option, and the EULA treats each licensed product as a whole. The Licensee “shall not separate component parts of any licensed Software product (or associated Licensed Materials) for independent use”. Each product is installed and used as Hexagon provides it, as one product.[1] Accessing any feature, module or option without a valid licence is prohibited.[1]
Licence terms: paid-up and subscription
The EULA separates the licence type from its term:[1]
- A Paid-up License “is a license with a license term of thirty (30) years”. It is the EULA’s equivalent of a perpetual licence, usually combined with an annual Maintenance contract.
- A Subscription License is “a short-term license (such as a one-year or other short-term Subscription term)”. It may carry additional Subscription terms published on Hexagon’s legal page, and these can vary by jurisdiction.
Metrics
Standalone License
A Standalone License, “also known as a Node-locked License”, limits installation and use “to a single copy of the Licensed Materials on one designated Licensee Computer”. Authorized Users must be physically present, not using the computer remotely or from another computer, and “Each Standalone License may only be used by one Authorized User at a time.”[1]
Network License (LAN and WAN)
A Network License, also called a Floating or Concurrent-Use License, is controlled by “a single License Server located at a single designated Licensee facility”. Authorized Users may use the software on Licensee-owned or Licensee-controlled devices served by that server. Simultaneous use “shall in no event exceed the number of Network Licenses lawfully acquired”.[1] Each Network License also carries a location designation:
| Designation | Where it may be used | Offsite use |
|---|---|---|
| LAN (Local Network License) | Only at one Designated Site in the Territory | Employees of that site, from their residence, by VPN |
| WAN (Wide Area Network License) | At all Licensee facilities in the Territory | Associated employees, from home or other offsite locations in the Territory, by VPN |
The defaults matter when orders are vague. A licence with no Standalone or Network designation is Standalone. A Network License with no LAN or WAN designation “shall be a ‘LAN’ License”.[1] Licence managers should check the order designation before letting users at a second site share a pool.
Counting / floors
The EULA counts licences by type and location, without a minimum quantity. Several rules affect the count:
- Territory. “Licensee may not install, access or use the Licensed Materials outside of the Territory.” The Territory is the country or jurisdiction in the order or licensing confirmation, or else the country where the licences were acquired.[1]
- Copies. Copies are allowed only as needed for licensed use, plus a reasonable number of backups.[1]
- Records. The Licensee must keep “full and accurate accounts and records of the location of each copy” and of the location and identity of the computers using the software.[1]
- License Files. The software may be protected by a License Manager and need License Files. Hexagon may issue only temporary License Files until payment is made. It need not provide replacement License Files if the software is unsupported on the new computer, if the Licensee is in breach, or if the software is not covered by Maintenance.[1] In practice, moving a paid-up licence to new hardware may depend on keeping Maintenance current.
EDGECAM documentation shows how the licence technology implements these types. Newer EDGECAM installations use Sentinel RMS licensing for standalone and network licences. Evaluation and timed licences can be revoked from one PC and moved to another, and evaluation and timed network licences can also be commuted.[3]
Virtualization & partitioning
The EULA restricts remote use. The Licensee may not use the software “via any communications network or by means of remote access unless specifically provisioned for and supported by the license management system, technical protection measures and other security mechanisms”.[1] The Standalone License also requires physical presence. Remote desktop access to a node-locked seat is therefore outside the licence.
For EDGECAM, the installation guide sets the virtualization limits of the licence technology. “Sentinel RMS network licenses can be installed on virtual servers provided that they are locked to a Computer ID USB key.” Standalone (single seat) Sentinel RMS licences cannot be locked to such a key for use on a virtual server.[3] Network licensing over VPN “is not officially supported”, and LAN or WAN connections are recommended.[3] The EULA does allow employees to reach the licence server by VPN, so this note is a technical warning, not a contractual one.
Cloud / BYOL
Some products include cloud-hosted features, and offering-specific terms exist for Hexagon Copilot for EDGECAM and for ESPRIT EDGE.[2] Under the EULA, “HOSTED FEATURES ARE NOT MADE AVAILABLE ON A PERPETUAL OR PAID-UP LICENSE BASIS”. They are available only during a Subscription or Maintenance term, and when that term ends the Licensee loses access, possibly including stored data.[1] Hosted features on the Nexus platform fall under the Cloud Services Agreement.[1]
The Cloud Services Agreement of 2026-05-14 licenses Purchased Services for a Services Term, for internal purposes, subject to usage limits.[4] Its named user rule is strict. “Users may not share User IDs or passwords”, and an account “may not be used by more than one individual during any given period of time”. The administrator may reassign named user Subscriptions as reasonably necessary for changes in personnel and duties.[4]
Programs
Maintenance
Maintenance, meaning maintenance and technical support services, is bought separately for paid-up licences, typically as an “annual Maintenance contract”, and is part of Subscriptions. It follows the Hexagon Group’s Maintenance terms current at the time of order.[1] The right to updates depends on it: “the right to receive available Updates is subject to Licensee purchasing Maintenance”.[1]
Non-production licences
| Licence | Use | Default term |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation (Trial) | Internal non-production evaluation, as is | 30 days |
| Test (alpha or beta) | Internal non-production testing, as is | 30 days |
| Student | One copy on the student’s own computer, personal learning, not in commercial locations or classrooms | 12 months |
| Personal Learning | One copy on the individual’s computer for personal learning | 12 months |
| Educational Standalone or Network | Classroom or teaching use, and non-commercial academic research whose results are published | As licensed |
| Homework | One extra copy on a home system in homework mode, where supported | Ends with the supporting licence |
| Demonstration (Reseller) | Resellers only: demonstrations, support and training | At Hexagon’s discretion |
Source for all rows: Production Software EULA s.3.[1] “For avoidance of doubt, private or government-restricted research projects require purchase of a commercial license.” Licences bought by educational institutions are educational unless Hexagon states otherwise.[1]
Transfers
The Licensee “may not assign or transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, this Agreement (or any licenses, rights or obligations hereunder), without Licensor’s prior written consent”. Hexagon may assign freely.[1] Selling, renting or lending the software to third parties is also prohibited.[1] Corporate reorganisations that move licences between legal entities therefore need Hexagon’s consent.
Audits and compliance
Anti-piracy. The software, its technical protection measures and other security mechanisms may collect and transmit data to verify compliance. That data may include “user, device, and network identification information, location and organization domain information, as well as information on Software usage”. If Hexagon detects unauthorised use, the Licensee compensates Hexagon under its Compliance Policy, published on a Hexagon web page, and indemnifies Hexagon’s legal costs.[1]
Audit. “Upon fifteen (15) days written notice”, Hexagon or its agents may audit compliance through on-site audits, electronic audits or self-certifications, with access to facilities and computers. If use does not conform, the Licensee compensates Hexagon under the Compliance Policy and pays “the reasonable costs of the audit”. The Licensee bears its own cooperation costs in any case. If Hexagon wins a legal proceeding, it is entitled to attorneys’ fees.[1]
Termination. Hexagon may terminate on 14 days’ notice for an uncured material breach. It may terminate immediately for breaches of the grant, licence types, restrictions or export clauses, and for payment default, including amounts owed to a reseller. On termination or expiry the Licensee uninstalls and destroys the software, and Hexagon may require certification.[1]
Law. English law applies by default. Delaware law applies to licensees domiciled in the Americas and German law to licensees in Germany, with matching exclusive courts.[1]
Out of scope
- The Production Software EULA for versions 2022 to 2023 and earlier archived versions.
- Hexagon Maintenance terms and Standard Terms and Conditions of Sale, which vary by region.
- The Compliance Policy referred to in the EULA, which was not retrieved.