KEYSIGHT BenchVue Licensing Options

The KEYSIGHT BenchVue platform software contains and hosts various BenchVue apps that allow you to control your test instruments and simplify your test processes. Each BenchVue app includes:

• Instrument control with no programming needed
• Data visualization for data logs and other measurements
• Test automation using BenchVue Test Flow to build automated tests as easily as using your instrument front panel saving you days to months of data collecting time or test development
• Easy data exports to formats such as .CSV, Microsoft Word, Excel, or MATLAB
   

Note: When installing BenchVue software, be sure to perform the installation as "Run as administrator".

As described below, KEYSIGHT's flexible licensing options allow you to select the license type and license term that best fit your specific test needs, project schedules, and budget requirements.

License Types
The following license types are available depending on whether you want to:

1. Install the software license on a single computer or instrument type
2. Be able to transfer the license between computers
3. Use a USB hardware key (dongle) to physically transfer a single license between computers
4. Make licenses available to multiple users over a network server.

For more information on purchasing a license, go to www.keysight.com/find/BenchVue.

Click on the links below for more information on redeeming and activating your specific type of license.

Application License Purchased Separately

1. Node-Locked Fixed - The software license is locked to one specific host computer and is stored on the computer's hard disk.
2. Transportable - A type of node-locked software license that can be unlocked from one host computer and then re-locked (transported) to another host computer, via a network-enabled license management application.
3. USB Portable - A hardware-based license that is locked to a USB hardware key, sometimes referred to as a dongle (sold separately). You can physically move the software license from one host computer to another using the USB hardware key.
4. Floating (Network) - The software license is locked to a license server, which is a host computer that manages a pool of available software licenses. This type of network-based licensing involves a server-to-client interaction in which a client computer is required to check out a license from a server computer in order to access the software application (one license at a time and at one site). Simultaneous access will require the purchase of multiple licenses.

Note: If you have previously purchased one or more BenchVue licenses and want to confirm the license types, see Which License Type Do I Have?.

License Terms of Use
The following license terms are available depending on whether you want to have unlimited (perpetual) access to the license or limited (subscription-based) access to the license as a more economical option.

1. Perpetual – Software use has no time limit and the license does not expire. A perpetual license also includes a 1 year support subscription for free software updates and support for the first year, after which the support can be renewed annually for a fee.
2. Subscription-Based – Software use is limited to a period of time after which the license expires. A subscription-based license also includes a support subscription for free software updates and support through the term of the license.

Note: The time-bound aspects of the perpetual license (license does not expire) and the subscription-based license (license expires after limited time) start at the time you add the software license to your Keysight Software Manager profile.

BenchVue Licenses Included with Instruments FAQ

Is BenchVue now free?
Only BenchVue Basic and BenchVue Included license comes with new instrument purchases for free. Not all instruments will include a BenchVue license. For more details, visit www.keysight.com/find/BVBasic.

What is BenchVue Basic?
KEYSIGHT in the midst of transitioning BenchVue Included License to KEYSIGHT BenchVue Basic Software in phases.
The redemption of PathWave BenchVue software which comes included with the purchase of applicable instruments is being simplified to make it easier.

• BenchVue Basic apps are available for free and do not require any license installation.
• All BenchVue Basic apps are one version before the latest version of BenchVue software.
• KeysightCare support is not included in BenchVue Basic apps.
• The PathWave BenchVue Basic installers will be made available in phases, starting with PathWave BenchVue (Digital Multimeter, Power Supply, Function Generator, Oscilloscope Data Acquisition app). Download here, www.keysight.com/find/BVBasic

For more details, check here.

What version of BenchVue Platform do I need to redeem BenchVue Included License?
BenchVue Platform version 2022 or lower is necessary to redeem the BenchVue included licenses.

What do these BenchVue included licenses enable?
These licenses enable the full BenchVue instrument app. These licenses will enable app behavior consistent with existing BenchVue licenses. This means that all instruments of enabled apps connected to PC will work if there is a valid BenchVue app license. Example with a single DMM license, all supported DMMs connected to that PC will work with BenchVue.

What type of licenses are included in the BenchVue Basic and BenchVue Included?
For BenchVue Basic, no licenses are required. User may install BenchVue Basic app in multiple PC and use without any license.

For BenchVue Included license, these licenses are Node locked that are tied to an instrument. As the instrument moves, the licenses can move around with the instrument or a new request can be made for the same instrument. KEYSIGHT will request that you “re-activate” your licenses by connecting back to your eligible instruments once a year and activate your license again in-order to get new software updates.

Can I only use BenchVue Included license with my eligible instruments?
Once licensed, you may use your BenchVue app with any instrument that BenchVue supports. For example, if you have purchased a new 34465A DMM, once you have activated your BenchVue DMM app license, you may use that BenchVue DMM app with any DMM that BenchVue supports. Multiple sessions with multiple DMMs are also enabled.

Will KEYSIGHT still sell BenchVue licenses?
Yes, stand-alone licenses are still available and will be offering the latest version of BenchVue App, new KEYSIGHT Software license options with KeysightCare Support. Customers that want latest version of BenchVue can purchase a BenchVue license.

I have multiple PCs that need to work with my purchased instrument. How painful is it to license these different PCs?
Since BenchVue Basic installers does not require any license installation, you may install www.keysight.com/find/BVBasic and use immediately in multiple PC.

For BenchVue Included License, we allow you to request the same license on multiple PCs from within BenchVue. For web requests, the same activation code can be used on multiple PCs. The only condition is that instrument needs to be connected and recognized by BenchVue when we activate the license.

Do I need to pay for updates for BenchVue Basic apps?
No, BenchVue Basic apps are always one version before the latest paid BenchVue licensed apps. As the latest paid BenchVue licensed app are updated, BenchVue Basic will be updated accordingly.

For example:

Can I evaluate BenchVue?
To evaluate a BenchVue application for a free 7-day trial, go to the BenchVue Applications view, click once on the desired application, and then click on the "Start Trial" button - the trial period represents the number of calendar days remaining. After the trial period expires, you can apply for a free 30-day license, after which you will be required to purchase a software license for that application.