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

FVA-Workbench license management with OpenLM

FVA-Workbench is the gold standard for gear and transmission system design, used heavily by automotive and heavy machinery manufacturers.

It is a high-cost, niche tool often mixed into larger license pools. Because usage is sporadic but intensive (calculation bursts), standard monitoring often misreports utilization.

OpenLM ensures that this critical mechanical engineering asset is available when your specialists need it, without hoarding expensive seats.

What is FVA-Workbench: All about the license manager

FVA-Workbench License Manager is the proprietary utility that controls access to the FVA gearbox design and simulation software. It supports both single-user (node-locked) licenses, often bound to a hardware dongle or machine ID, and network (floating) licenses managed by a centralized server (FVAWBLicenseService). In the network configuration, it dynamically allocates concurrent seats from a shared pool via TCP/IP (typically port 5006), ensuring compliance while allowing flexible access across an engineering team.

Licensing schemas of FVA-Workbench

FVA-Workbench uses a modular licensing system. You don’t just use “the software”; you pull licenses for specific calculation standards (DIN, ISO) or component types (Bevel gears, Planetary stages).

Module blocking: A user might check out a full “System Calculation” license just to design a single shaft, blocking the expensive module for others.
Calculation vs. idle: Engineers spend hours setting up a model (low value) and minutes running the calculation (high value). Floating licenses are often tied up during the setup phase unnecessarily.

OpenLM’s solution for FVA-Workbench optimization

OpenLM provides granular visibility into the specific modules being used, not just the base application.

OpenLM capability	Value for FVA-Workbench licenses
Module-level analysis	Track usage of specific calculation modules (e.g., “Bevel Gear” vs. “Cylindrical Gear”). Identify if you are overpaying for unused theoretical standards.
Idle time harvesting	Detect when the Workbench is open but no calculations are running. Safely harvest the license so another engineer can run their transmission analysis.
Denial heatmaps	Visualize exactly when engineers are getting denied access. Is it Monday morning during weekly planning? Adjust your license count to match these peak demand windows.
Project chargeback	Allocate the cost of these expensive gear calculation tools to the specific vehicle or gearbox project that utilized them.

OpenLM advantages for FVA-Workbench monitoring

Niche support: While generic monitors overlook specialized engineering tools, OpenLM treats FVA-Workbench with the same priority as major CAD platforms.

Investment justification: Provide clear data to management showing that every dollar spent on FVA licenses directly contributes to calculation throughput.

Delivering impact at every scale