Licence models in simulation: From purchase licence to SaaS
When selecting the right software licence in the field of simulation, emulation and digital twins, you will encounter different licence models. The right licence choice influences the cost structure, scalability, IT infrastructure and flexibility of your solution. Below is an overview of the most common licence types, with a focus on typical variants for production and logistics environments.
Purchase licence – proven and long-term planning
A one-time purchase of the software licence. You pay the licence price and use the software indefinitely (often subject to maintenance and update conditions).
Typical features:
- Local installation in the company network
- Updates and support via maintenance contract
- No ongoing rental costs
- Suitable for long-term use
When does it make sense?
If you operate a long-term, stable application with calculable costs and your IT infrastructure is already in place.
Subscription or rental licence – flexible and calculable
A temporary licence, usually renewed annually. It offers flexibility for changing requirements or project-related use.
Typical features:
- Term model (e.g. 12 months)
- Predictable costs instead of high one-off investment
- Regular updates included
- Easy to cancel or switch to other versions
When does it make sense?
When use is project-related, short-term or budget-oriented.
Usage-based licence – pay for what you use
Costs are only incurred when the software is actively used or a certain amount of computing power is utilised.
Typical features:
- Billing based on usage or token system
- High cost transparency
- Ideal for irregular use
- Scalable as needed
When does it make sense?
When usage fluctuates greatly or you only need simulations periodically.
Provision of the licence – local, user-based or network-based
Local licence:
- Bound to a computer or hardware
- Activation via hardware ID or USB dongle
Named user licence:
- Assigned to a specific person (e.g. via email address)
- Can be used on different devices
Network licence:
- Licences managed centrally via a server in the company
- Multiple users share a licence quota
- Particularly efficient with changing users
Provision of the application – on-premise or SaaS
On-premise:
- Installation and operation on own hardware
- No internet access required
- Maximum data sovereignty and control
SaaS (Software-as-a-Service):
- Cloud-based provision via the internet
- No local installation necessary
- Automatic updates and easy scaling
- Ideal for distributed teams and digital twins
Other licence models – project-based and academic
Runtime or project licences:
- Only for running finished models or temporary projects
- Cheaper alternative to the full version
- Particularly suitable for customer projects or pilot phases
Academic/educational/student licences:
- Special licence types for research, teaching or students
- Reduced price or free of charge
- Often restrictions on model size, use or commercial application
- Promote the use of simulation software in education and science
Recommendation for getting started
Different licence types are available depending on the duration of use, team size and infrastructure. While purchase licences guarantee stability and long-term planning security, rental and SaaS models score points for flexibility, scalability and low IT costs.
- Check your application scenario: How many users, how long will you use it, how much flexibility do you need?
- Decide whether a running cost structure (e.g. SaaS) or a one-time investment makes more sense.
- If necessary, use hybrid or project models if your application is variable.
- Consider internal IT and infrastructure costs – SaaS can offer advantages here.
- Pay attention to scalability, especially for digital twins or cross-location simulations.
Want to learn more? Contact us for a personal consultation on choosing a licence for your simulation and digital twin solution.
