Name: Mastering Dongle Management with OpenLM Platform
Start: 2026-03-05T10:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-05T17:00:00+00:00
Location: OpenLM

Intergraph SPLM (SmartPlant) license management with OpenLM

Hexagon’s Intergraph SmartPlant suite (Smart 3D, PDS, SPI) is the operating system of the oil, gas, and power industries.

It uses the notoriously complex SmartPlant License Manager (SPLM). Mismanagement here doesn’t just cost money; it can halt the design of a billion-dollar refinery.

OpenLM is one of the few tools capable of deciphering SPLM’s unique “key” and “seat” architecture, providing clarity in a complex environment.

What is Intergraph SPLM: An introduction

Intergraph SmartPlant License Manager (SPLM) is the legacy proprietary utility used to manage concurrent (floating) licenses for Hexagon PPM’s plant design software, including SmartPlant 3D, PDS, and SmartPlant P&ID. It functions by generating a unique Machine ID for a central server, which is then used to generate and install license keys that client workstations access via the network. Unlike modern cloud-based systems, SPLM relies heavily on strict on-premise server configurations and is currently being phased out in favor of the newer, cloud-centric Intergraph Smart Licensing (ISL).

Licensing schemas of Intergraph

SPLM is unique. It generates license keys based on machine Host IDs and manages them in a very rigid structure.

The “key” challenge: Licenses are often tied to specific workstations. Moving a license from one engineer to another is manual and tedious.
Tag-based licensing: Some Intergraph tools charge based on the number of “Tags” (equipment items) in the database. Tracking this consumption is critical to avoid audit penalties.
Checkout durations: Engineers checking out licenses for site work often keep them longer than necessary. SPLM’s native reporting makes it hard to identify these “over-borrowed” seats.

OpenLM’s solution for Intergraph SmartPlant optimization

OpenLM parses SPLM logs to visualize usage in a way that standard Intergraph reporting cannot, transforming cryptic data into actionable insights.

OpenLM capability	Value for Intergraph SPLM
Detailed usage reporting	Track exactly who is using Smart 3D or P&ID. Break down usage by specific application to see which disciplines (Piping, Electrical, Structural) are consuming the budget.
Denial root cause analysis	SPLM denials are cryptic. OpenLM categorizes them—distinguishing between “No License Available,” “Expired Key,” or “Wrong Version,” speeding up IT troubleshooting.
License expiry alerts	SPLM keys expire and must be regenerated. OpenLM provides proactive alerts before keys die, preventing the “Monday Morning Lockout” where entire teams cannot work.
Harvesting idle sessions	SmartPlant applications are heavy. Users often leave them open for days. OpenLM detects inactivity and can forcibly release the license (where supported) to free up the seat.

OpenLM advantages for Intergraph license usage monitoring

Complex administration: SPLM is difficult to administer. OpenLM simplifies this by aggregating data from multiple SPLM servers into one dashboard.

Audit defense: Hexagon audits are thorough. OpenLM provides the granular historical data needed to prove compliance and negotiate fair renewal terms.

Delivering impact at every scale