Licensing

FlowChief Platform

FlowChief is a versatile software platform containing a modular and high scalable architecture. FlowChief is the ideal solution for a variety of applications thanks to its flexibility:

• SCADA

• Process control system

• Monitoring system

• Historian and operational data capture

• Facility management

• IoT gateway

• Alerting management

• HMI

Each FlowChief solution is based on a consistent core. Activate modules and functionalities via license for an instant application. Changes to the license (updates, up- or downgrades) can be made anytime. The license approval is performed via dongle or alternatively via software key.

The continuous development of FlowChief improves performance and security, increases the scope of functionalities and harmonises the platform with the IT/OT environment.

The license model consists of three sectors: core licensing, add-ons and client access.

Core licenses

There are two core licenses available: Process variables (PV) and metering points (MP). These can be purchased separately or combined. Each license contains a variety of modules and can be extended flexibly with further add-ons. A core license defines the amount of processable variables / metering points and also the basic configuration of system functionalities (modules).

There is no limit on the amount of process variables / metering points and therefor they are divided into various levels. As of level FC_35.000_M6/e-Gem_ 3.500_M6 the license can be extended with packages such as FC_X15.000_MX15/e-Gem_ 500_MX15 and FC_X25.000_MX25/e-Gem_ 1.000. When upgrading a license from, e.g. FC_75_M0 to FC_5.000_M4, the difference must be considered.

FlowChiefmodule The core-licenses include a variety of FlowChiefmodules	Category	Core-License PV	Core- License MP
Plantexplorer	Engineering	Incl.	Incl.
Configuration via Excel™ Workbook	Engineering	Incl.	Incl.
Image Library and Icons	Engineering	Incl.	—
Document Management (DMS)	Engineering	Incl.	Incl.
Internationalization	Engineering	Incl.	Incl.
Visualization	Visualization	Incl.	—
Dashboard	Visualization	Incl.	Incl.
Online Trending	Visualization	Incl.	Incl.
Archiving & Aggregation	Archiving	Incl.	Incl.
Manual Value Input	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.	Incl.
Charts	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.	Incl.
H260 Reports	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.	—
System Log (Audit)	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.	Incl.
Message Archive	Message and alerting platform	Incl.	Incl.
Role based User Administration	Role based User management concept	Incl.	Incl.
Multitenancy	Role based User management concept	Incl.	Incl.
OPC UA DA Client	Connectivity	Incl.	Incl.
OPC Classic DA und AE Client	Connectivity	Incl.	Incl.
Calculated Value	Connectivity	Incl.	Incl.
Web API	Connectivity	Incl.	Incl.
e-Gem Energy Management System	Energy data management	—	Incl.
Amount of included free external client accesses	Client-licensing	1 external client (FC_C1)	1 external client (FC_C1)

Add-ons

Add-ons can be used to extend the functions of core licenses which will enable to customise the license. Add-on modules could be connectors, alerting or reporting functions. The assignment of add-ons to the related M-levels (M0-M6) depends on the size of the core license (FC_* or e-Gem*). For an example, the add-on license for WebReports (FC_Webreports) is categorised as FC_Webreports_M0 when operating a core license FC_75_M0.

When upgrading a license, e.g. from FC_75_M0 to FC_5.000_M4 then the add-on difference must be considered for the levels M0 and M4. When upgrading the add-on licences FC_X15.000_MX15/e-Gem_500_MX15 and FC_X25.000_MX25/e-Gem_1.000 the costs for the add-ons *X15 or *X25 must also be considered.

Client Licenses

The system is based on a consistent client-server architecture. A client connection can be established via web browser, Imager, OPC UA Client, WebDAV session or via Web API. The license approval is performed on the server and contains the maximum amount of simultaneous client accesses without an obligation to a specific device or user. Various packages in different sizes are available for licensing and can be cumulated as required. Changes can be made whenever required. The simultaneous access for client connections (sessions) is technically unlimited.

Remark for Windows 11 host operating system: Windows 11 operating systems (Pro, Enterprise, IoT) are limited to 10 parallel web server sockets. Server operating systems have no limitation. Despite of this fact, FlowChief will support Windows 11 operating systems and offers to select from real time (value update <1s) or polling (value update 1 sec.) in the communication.

FlowChief web.HMI

Web.HMI is an independent license form with an appealing price. The functionality scope targets the operation with machines (HMI, Visualization).

• Multiple connectors included

• Basic archiving included – limited to a maximum of 14 days

• Limited extension through add-ons and clients

Core Licenses

The core license defines the amount of processable variables and the basic system functions (modules). E.g. when upgrading the license from FC_HMI_150 to FC_HMI_1.750 the difference must be considered.

Modules in basic package	Category	Price
Plantexplorer	Engineering	Incl.
Configuration via Excel™ Workbook	Engineering	Incl.
Image Library and Icons	Engineering	Incl.
Document Management (DMS)	Engineering	Incl.
Internationalization	Engineering	Incl.
Visualization	Visualization	Incl.
Dashboard	Visualization	Incl.
Online Trending	Visualization	Incl.
Archiving & Aggregation(limited – up to 14 days)	Archiving	Incl.
Charts (limited)	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.
System Log (limited – up to 14 days)	Analysis and Reporting	Incl.
Message Archive (limited – up to 14 days)	Message and alerting platform	Incl.
Role based User Administration	Role based rights management	Incl.
Multitenancy	Role based rights management	Incl.
OPC UA DA Client	Connectivity	Incl.
OPC Classic DA und AE Client	Connectivity	Incl.
Calculated Value	Connectivity	Incl.
Web API	Connectivity	Incl.
Siemens S7 TCP/IP Driver (FC_S7_TCPIP)	Connectivity	Incl.
Modbus Connector (FC_Modbus)	Connectivity	Incl.
FlowChief Connect 1 Station (FC_Connect_1)	Connectivity	Incl.
Amount of free included external client accesses	Client licensing (not extendable)	1 external client (FC_C1)

Add-ons

Core licenses can be extended with further functionalities through add-ons, which will enable customization to specific requirements. Add-on modules include specific connectors. Depending on the size of the core license (FC_HMI_*), add-ons will be located to one of the levels (M0-M6). E.g. the add-on license for FC_Recipe will be classified as FC_Recipe_M1 when the core license FC_HMI_500_M1 is operated.

License Verification

Licensing is performed on the server. The application verifies the functional scope of the run time via a USB dongle (Licensing - Dongle bound) or via a hardware specific software key (Licensing - Hardware bound).

Changes to the license can be made anytime (e.g. updates, upgrade or downgrade). Dongles are provided with an upgrade application, software licenses will receive a new key.

Software licenses can be managed via the System Monitor on the server. This is where the scope of functionalities for the current active license is displayed.