Name: Shadow Licensing Uncovered: Smart Control for Unmanaged Software
Start: 2026-02-04T10:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-04T17:00:00+00:00
Location: OpenLM

tNavigator license management and optimization with OpenLM

tNavigator (from Rock Flow Dynamics) is a state-of-the-art reservoir modeling and simulation platform, critical for the energy industry (Oil and Gas, CCS, Geothermal). It offers a wide range of advanced tools, integrating geoscience, reservoir, and production engineering in a single, high-performance environment. The efficiency of tNavigator‘s complex simulation workflows is directly tied to the availability of its licenses.

OpenLM provides a comprehensive solution for monitoring tNavigator licensing. OpenLM tNavigator monitoring delivers high-resolution usage data and reports on consumption patterns, enabling you to reduce waste, optimize your license pool, and ensure geoscientists have continuous access to this essential simulation tool.

Understanding tNavigator licensing: Floating and modular

tNavigator is a multi-format, multi-platform application that runs on everything from laptops to High-Performance Computing (HPC) clusters, necessitating a flexible and robust licensing model.

What is the tNavigator license manager?

The tNavigator License Manager is the system that enables local and network licensing for the software. The network license server is often based on the Apache server and can provide usage statistics for third-party monitoring systems. Licensing requires access to a USB dongle and its corresponding license file, even in network deployments.

tNavigator licensing schemas

tNavigator offers diverse models to suit corporate entities and consultants:

Functional modules: The software is offered as a single executable, but contains numerous licensed functional modules (e.g., Geology Designer, Model Designer, Simulator, Network Designer) that are licensed separately.
Network licenses (Floating): Licenses for LAN and WAN networks are provided by a license server installed on Windows or Linux computer systems (physical or virtual). This is the primary model for enterprise teams.
Local licenses (Node-locked): Provided for standalone workstations and laptops, requiring a USB dongle and a corresponding license file.
Deployment options: Customers can choose between rental, ownership (perpetual), enterprise, or SaaS cloud solutions (with full GUI capabilities via remote desktop).
Read-only mode: Without any modules activated, the tNavigator GUI allows users to open and visualize existing simulation results in read-only mode.

OpenLM's solution for tNavigator license monitoring and optimization

OpenLM provides a full suite of monitoring features for the tNavigator License Manager. The integration is achieved by installing the OpenLM Broker on the license server, where it queries usage data and monitors the server’s activity logs.

OpenLM capability	Value for tNavigator licenses	Supported by OpenLM
Real-time usage monitoring	Tracks usage activity with high-resolution reporting, available by second. This is vital for analyzing usage during short simulation runs.	Yes
License totals and usage	Reports the total number of licenses owned and monitors consumption.	Yes
Expiration date reporting	Track when your tNavigator licenses are due to expire.	Yes
Idle session detection and harvesting	OpenLM can detect idle applications and automatically close them (harvesting), ensuring licenses are available when urgent simulation tasks are required.	Yes
Denials reporting	OpenLM does not currently support tracking Denials for tNavigator.	No
Borrowed/Redundancy reporting	OpenLM does not currently support tracking Borrowed licenses or multiple server redundancy.	No

The OpenLM advantage for tNavigator license management

OpenLM ensures that the high-cost, critical tNavigator modules are used efficiently, maximizing value across your geosciences and engineering departments.

Maximize availability: The combination of real-time monitoring and license harvesting minimizes downtime by reclaiming unused floating licenses, directly supporting the continuous simulation and modeling workflows.
Granular usage analysis: High-resolution monitoring (by second) enables highly accurate analysis of usage patterns, distinguishing short, high-priority runs from longer, idle sessions.
Data-driven procurement: OpenLM provides accurate utilization data, strengthening your position during negotiations with the vendor and ensuring the budget aligns with the actual consumption of modules.
Unified SAM: Monitor tNavigator alongside the many other engineering and specialty license managers supported by OpenLM in a single, intuitive platform.