Software Editions and Licensing

Software Editions

Several PowerFactory editions are offered, to suit different business requirements and IT architectures.

Single-User Edition

This edition is recommended for end users who want to install, administer and use the software themselves on their local machines.

Database: Local (SQLite)

Multi-User Edition

This edition is recommended for organisations who need to manage multiple user licences. A licence server software (which comes with the PowerFactory software) provides and manages the licences, which are accessed by the individual users via the local network. The number of concurrent users is limited according to
the number of licences that have been purchased.

An optional “floating licence” module is offered, which allows an individual to use PowerFactory without the need for a connection to the licence server.¹

Database: Local (SQLite)

Team Edition

This edition is recommended for multi-user groups requiring access to centralised project data and data sharing among group members. It features a multi-user data-base (ORACLE, SQL Server, PostgreSQL²), with automatic database housekeeping (e.g. schedulable overnight) and integrated project backup tools.

The users benefit from the PowerFactory team-working tools such as Master Project management, Project Versioning, Project Deriving along with Project Compare and Merge tools, which facilitate concurrent model building and data entry. The Team Edition comes with a licence server software (as for the Multi-User Edition), and the PowerFactory Administrator user can configure individual user accounts or user groups in order to manage their access to specific licence modules.

As with the Multi-User edition, a “floating licence” module is offered. In Team Edition, this also enables the user to work independently from both the licence server and database, using so-called “offline mode”.¹

Database: multi-user DBMS (Oracle, SQL Server or PostgreSQL²)

¹ The floating licence on a local machine is time-limited (maximum 30 days). This feature is not available for cloud-based softkeys.
² From PowerFactory 2022 onwards

Licence Types

PowerFactory licences are offered in the categories commercial (PF4C) and educational / research licences (PF4E / PF4R). Special licences are available for students (PF4S / PF4T).

Commercial Licence (PF4C)

This licence is the standard licence for commercial use.

Functions: package can be configured individually to the user’s needs
Number of nodes: 100 / 250 / 500 / unlimited
Licence technology: Softkey, USB Dongle3 or Cloud-based Softkey³
Support, maintenance and software upgrades included
- for the first 12 months of a standard perpetual licence, extendable annually under a maintenance contract
- in a subscription licence, for the duration of the licence

Research Licence (PF4R)

This licence is offered to academic and research institutions for use in publicly funded research projects, i.e. projects financed by governments or other non-profit organisations. Commercial use is not allowed.

Functions: pre-defined package including basic functions and the following advanced functions:
Contingency Analysis, Quasi-Dynamic Simulation, Network Reduction, Protection Functions (Time-Overcurrent & Distance), Arc-Flash Analysis, Cable Analysis, Power Quality and Harmonic Analysis, Connection Request Assessment, Transmission Network Tools, Distribution Network Tools, Probabilistic Analysis, Reliability Analysis Functions, OPF (Reactive Power Optimisation & Economic Dispatch), Unit Commitment and Dispatch Optimisation Economic Analysis Tools, State Estimation (SE), Stability Analysis Functions (RMS), Electromagnetic Transients (EMT), Motor Starting Functions, Small Signal Stability (Eigenvalue Analysis), System Parameter Identification and Sripting and Automation
Number of nodes: unlimited
Licence technology: Softkey or USB Dongle³
Support, maintenance and software upgrades included during the first 12 months, extendable annually by a maintenance subscription

Education Licence (PF4E)

This licence is offered to universities and other academic institutions for education purposes. The licence is particularly suitable for use in practical courses of up to 25 students. Commercial use is not allowed.

Functions: pre-defined package including basic functions and the following advanced functions:
Contingency Analysis, Quasi-Dynamic Simulation, Network Reduction, Protection Functions (Time-Overcurrent & Distance), Arc-Flash Analysis, Cable Analysis, Power Quality and Harmonic Analysis, Connection Request Assessment, Transmission Network Tools, Distribution Network Tools, Probabilistic Analysis, Reliability Analysis Functions, OPF (Reactive Power Optimisation & Economic Dispatch), Unit Commitment and Dispatch Optimisation Economic Analysis Tools, State Estimation (SE), Stability Analysis Functions (RMS), Electromagnetic Transients (EMT), Motor Starting Functions, Small Signal Stability (Eigenvalue Analysis), System Parameter Identification and Sripting and Automation
Number of nodes: 50
Licence technology: Softkey or USB Dongle³
Limited support⁵ and software upgrades

Student Licence (PF4S)

This licence is offered to individual students who have a valid student ID card as well as a current letter of enrollment. Commercial use is not allowed.

Functions: pre-defined package including basic functions and the following advanced functions:
Contingency Analysis, Quasi-Dynamic Simulation, Network Reduction, Protection Functions (Time-Overcurrent & Distance), Arc-Flash Analysis, Cable Analysis, Power Quality and Harmonic Analysis, Connection Request Assessment, Transmission Network Tools, Distribution Network Tools, Probabilistic Analysis, Reliability Analysis Functions, OPF (Reactive Power Optimisation & Economic Dispatch), Unit Commitment and Dispatch Optimisation Economic Analysis Tools, State Estimation (SE), Stability Analysis Functions (RMS), Electromagnetic Transients (EMT), Motor Starting Functions, Small Signal Stability (Eigenvalue Analysis), System Parameter Identification and Sripting and Automation
Number of nodes: 50
Licence technology: Softkey
Limited support⁴ and software upgrades

Thesis Licence (PF4T)

This licence is offered to individual students working on a non-sponsored Bachelor / Master / PhD thesis, who do not have access to a research (PF4R) or educational (PF4E) licence. Commercial use is not allowed.

Functions: defined according to the scope of work of the thesis
Number of nodes: as required for the thesis
Licence technology: Softkey
Limited support⁴ and software upgrades

Thesis license application forms can be downloaded here:

PF4T Request-Form (1.4 MB)

³ At additional cost.
⁴ For more information refer to the PowerFactory Maintenance and Support Services Flyer

Licence Technologies

Licences can be provided via the following technologies:

Softkey

A non-physical medium (file on disk) that resides on and is bound to a specific computer. It can be moved from one machine to another, but this is limited to two moves per calendar year.

It cannot be used in virtual environments.

USB Dongle⁵

A physical USB device that needs to be plugged into the machine. It can be used non-concurrently by different users on different machines.

The dongle can be used in virtual environments either by connecting it to the USB port of the physical machine hosting the VM or by using a “USB over network” solution.

Cloud-based Softkey⁵

An extension of the regular softkey technology for licence servers, where the licence information is stored on an external host in Germany, operated by a contracted service provider. The local licence server acts as a proxy only and forwards all licence requests to the external host. A permanent internet connection from the customer’s licence server to the external host is required.⁶

The external host service is operated in accordance with ISO EN9001:2015 and ISO/IEC27001, and a contracted availability of 99.95 % per calendar month, excluding potential maintenance activities. Necessary maintenance actions will be kept to a minimum and customers will be informed seven days in advance.
The cloud-based softkey can be used in virtual environments as it is completely independent from any physical device.

Cloud-based softkeys are only offered in combination with a valid maintenance contract. On expiration of the maintenance contract, the cloud-based softkey will be converted to a regular softkey or USB dongle.

Licence Model

Perpetual Licence

Perpetual licences provide the right to use the software indefinitely, and the first year of the Software Maintenance and Support service is included in the initial purchase price. After the initial 12-month period, an annual fee is required to renew your Software Maintenance and Support service.

Subscription Licence

Subscription licences provide the right to use the software for a subsequent term of 6 or 12 months, and the Software Maintenance and Support service is included in the subscription fee. Your subscription will be automatically renewed for the next subscription term, unless actively cancelled with 30 days’ prior written notice.

Subscription Licences are only offered for Single-User Editions under commercial use (PF4C).

Subscription Licences are delivered as (cloud-based) Softkeys.

Overview

More information to explore:

Request a Quotation

Request a Demo

⁵ At additional cost
⁶ To ensure the provision of quality service to all our customers and to ensure that the behaviour of some does not disadvantage the majority, you agree to abide to a fair use policy in the sense that the software is operated in a regular manner
⁷ PF4S licences can be used for a maximum of 12 months from the date of issue
⁸ PF4T licences can only be used in the period applied for, for a maximum of 12 months from the date of issue