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

UniSim license management (ULM / HLM) with OpenLM

UniSim (now part of Honeywell Process Solutions) is a core process simulation software suite used in high-stakes industries like Oil and Gas, Refining, and Chemical. UniSim Design Suite is critical for modeling, optimizing, and troubleshooting processes across the entire plant lifecycle, from conceptual design to dynamic simulation and digital twins.

The UniSim License Manager (historically HLM or ULM) is the flexible system that manages access to this powerful tool. OpenLM UniSim monitoring provides essential usage data, denial reports, and remote management capabilities, enabling IT to ensure license availability and maximize the productivity of process engineers.

Understanding UniSim licensing: Commuting and token-based

UniSim’s licensing model is designed for the rigorous demands of the process industries, offering flexible concurrent usage and supporting advanced cost control measures.

What is the UniSim license manager?

The UniSim License Manager is the licensing system developed by Honeywell. It supports both network and individual (node-locked) licensing and provides insightful administration tools for monitoring usage and managing access control.

UniSim licensing schemas

UniSim Design Suite utilizes flexible licensing to suit various operational and deployment needs:

Network licensing (Floating): Licenses are hosted on a central server for sharing among multiple users.
Token-based licensing: UniSim supports a token-based or hybrid (token-network) licensing model. This model allows different modules or features of the software to consume a variable number of tokens from a central pool.
License commuting (Borrowing): The UniSim License Manager supports temporary license locking to laptop computers (commuting). This allows engineers to check out a license for offline use, supporting field work or remote operations.
Access control: The ULM features a strong Access Control capability that allows network licenses or license buckets to be restricted to certain users (UPN) and/or machines (full domain name). This is configured using an AccessControl.xml file.
Node-locked (Individual) licensing: For standalone use, the HLM Configuration Wizard can be used to set up a node-locked license file on the local machine.

OpenLM's solution for UniSim license monitoring and optimization

OpenLM provides a dedicated integration to monitor the UniSim License Manager. This solution uses the OpenLM Broker to query the server’s utility (NetworkLicenceManager tool) and log file, ensuring accurate data collection.

OpenLM capability	Value for UniSim licenses	Supported by OpenLM
Real-time usage monitoring	Tracks license usage activity in real-time. Report resolution is by minute.	Yes
License usage	Provides detailed reports on which features or user groups are consuming licenses.	Yes
Denials reporting	Provides advanced reporting on license denial events. This is crucial for high-demand simulation software.	Yes
Idle session detection and harvesting	OpenLM can detect idle applications and automatically close them (harvesting) to ensure licenses are available when needed.	Yes
Remote administrative actions	Broker enables buffered communication and the ability to start or stop the license manager service remotely.	Yes
License totals and borrowing	OpenLM’s current documented integration with UniSim relies on retrieving license usage and denials but does not directly support License Totals or Borrowed license tracking.	No

The OpenLM advantage for UniSim license manager

OpenLM ensures that the high-value UniSim Design Suite and its specialized modules (like UniSim Flare or UniSim Optimize) deliver maximum profitability by maximizing license availability.

Maximize uptime for engineers: The combination of Denials Reporting and License Harvesting minimizes engineer downtime. Harvesting idle sessions ensures licenses are released back to the pool quickly for other users, maximizing concurrent usage.
Control token and hybrid licensing: The ability to track feature usage provides clarity into the consumption of UniSim’s token-based and modular licenses, guiding IT to acquire only the necessary components.
Data-driven negotiations: Accurate usage data is crucial for negotiations with Honeywell, strengthening your position when discussing license agreements and pricing.
Unified SAM: Monitor UniSim alongside the numerous other engineering and process simulation license managers supported by OpenLM in a single platform.