KISSsoft Calculation Program

Installation Instructions for Single User and Floating

Licenses

v2301

KISSsoft AG Tel. +41 55 254 20 50

A Gleason Company Fax +41 55 254 20 51
Rosengartenstr. 4, 8608 Bubikon [email protected]
Sharing Knowledge
Switzerland www.kisssoft.com
Contents
1 Software Installation ................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Installing a single user license ................................................................................................................ 3
1.1.1 Single user license with activation through dongle ............................................................................. 3
1.1.2 Computer-bound single user license with activation through hardware code ..................................... 3
1.1.3 Computer-bound single user license with activation through online code .......................................... 3
1.2 Installing a floating license ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.2.1 License directory ................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.2 Access directory .................................................................................................................................. 3
1.2.3 Hardware code .................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2.4 Installation on a server ........................................................................................................................ 4
1.2.5 Installation on a user's local computer (client) .................................................................................... 4
1.3 Installation procedure for the software and license file ........................................................................... 4
1.4 Installing the latest Service Pack ............................................................................................................ 5
1.5 Installing Visual C++ Redistributable Packages ...................................................................................... 5

2 Activation of a single user license with online code ................................................................. 6

2.1 Activation of a single user license with online code, without license file (trial version) ........................... 6
2.2 Activation of a single user license with online code and license file (student version) ............................ 6

3 License File ............................................................................................................................. 9

3.1 License file for a single user license with dongle .................................................................................... 9
3.2 License file for computer-bound single user license with activation through hardware code .................. 9
3.3 License file for floating license .............................................................................................................. 10

4 Check ................................................................................................................................... 12
4.1 Checking a single user license with dongle .......................................................................................... 12
4.2 Checking a computer-bound single user license .................................................................................. 12
4.3 Checking a floating license ................................................................................................................... 12

5 Problem Resolution and Support .......................................................................................... 12

5.1 Procedure with message ‘license file invalid’ ........................................................................................ 12
5.2 Creating a log file .................................................................................................................................. 13
5.3 General procedure for activation problems ........................................................................................... 13
5.4 Support.................................................................................................................................................. 14

01.06.2023 2 / 14
1 Software Installation
1.1 Installing a single user license

1.1.1 Single user license with activation through dongle

The software is only installed locally. No access directory is needed as the program protection runs via the dongle.

1.1.2 Computer-bound single user license with activation through hardware code
The software is only installed locally. No access directory is needed. The program protection runs via the hardware
code of the local hard disk.

1.1.3 Computer-bound single user license with activation through online code
The software is only installed locally. No access directory is needed. The program protection or activation runs via
the online code. Typical applications are trial versions (no license file needed) and student licenses (license file
needed).

1.2 Installing a floating license

1.2.1 License directory

The license directory is located in the installation path of the KISSsoft installation, in the 'License' subdirectory. The
license directory contains only the license file. If there are multiple license numbers, usually all license files are
saved to the same directory.

The path can be changed in the configuration file 'KISS.ini’ to select a different location for saving the license
directory. The configuration file 'KISS.ini', however, must be located in the installation path and must therefore be
copied in case of a local installation. You will find more details on this in the KISSsoft Manual.

Note that the access directory and license directory are two different things. Do not save the license file in the
access directory.

1.2.2 Access directory

The floating license program protection system requires there to be a central access directory in which current
accesses are counted. Accesses are recorded in the access directory by text files known as "cookies". For this
reason, all users must have write, read and delete permissions to the access directory. KISSsoft does not use or
require tools such as FlexLM or similar.

The access directory must have an immutable hardware code. It is recommended to use a physical server for the
access directory. A permanent hardware code must be set on virtual servers. Otherwise, activation and operation
of the network license is not possible. This is the responsibility of the software operator, not of KISSsoft AG.

More detailed information on the requirements for the access directory is provided in the hardware and software
requirements file under https://www.kisssoft.com/en/products/technical-description/brochures/hard-and-software-
requirements-for-kisssoft-calculation-programs-2023

01.06.2023 3 / 14
1.2.3 Hardware code
The hardware code is based on the serial number of the hard disk where the access directory is defined. It is
entered in encrypted form in the KISSsoft license file. The hardware code must therefore be read out via the
KISSsoft program (see section 3). A hardware code with '000..' is not accepted.

1.2.4 Installation on a server

The software is usually installed on a central computer (server) for a floating license. Users start the program via
a shortcut on their computer (client). This is the recommended installation method, as only one installation is
required. In addition, the databases are made available to all users in a consistent manner.

The license file is stored in the 'License' subfolder of the installation. For this type of installation, no change of the
configuration file 'KISS.ini' is required.

1.2.5 Installation on a user's local computer (client)

For a floating license, the software can also be installed locally on the user's computer (client). This installation
type is recommended for users who are geographically far apart (multi-site licenses, working from home) or if server
accesses are slow.

Please note that when using KISSsoft software, there must be a permanent connection from the local computer to
the server where the access directory is located. This can easily be established via a VPN connection.

The license file is usually stored in the installation path of the software on the client computer. The license file can,
however, also be stored in a separate license directory on a server. This requires specification of the path in the
configuration file ‘KISS.ini’ (see section ‘license directory’).

A silent mode installation file is available for installation on local computers. If you are interested in this, please
contact KISSsoft at [email protected].

1.2.5.1 Installation on local computers with the license file stored locally
If for a floating license the software is installed on a local computer, the license file will be stored in the
installation path in the ‘License’ subfolder. The configuration file 'KISS.ini' is not changed here.

1.2.5.2 Installation on local computers with license file stored on the server
If for a floating license the software is installed on a local computer, the license file can be stored separately in a
license directory located centrally on a server. To configure this, the ‘KISS.ini’ configuration file in each local
installation must be modified so that the license file path is listed in KISS.ini (see section ‘license directory’).

1.3 Installation procedure for the software and license file

1. Download the installation file from the MyKISSsoft Customer area.
2. Double-click on KISSsoft-2023.exe to run the InstallShield wizard.
3. Select the desired language for the installation and then click ‚Install‘.
4. Install KISSsoft in a new, empty directory or comply with the default name prompted by the installation
program.

01.06.2023 4 / 14
 5. At the end of the installation process, you will be asked whether you already have a license file. If you
are installing an existing license or performing an initial installation of a single user license with a dongle,
you will find the relevant license file in the MyKISSsoft Customer area.

A license file for a computer-bound single user license with activation through hardware code or for a
floating license requires the hardware code and the access directory name. For this reason, these
license files for an initial installation are not yet available in the MyKISSsoft Customer area. In this case,
select "No" and then click [Next].

6. Download the license file from the MyKISSsoft Customer area and select the license file. You can also
copy the license file manually later on and save it to the "license" directory.

7. Click "Next" to complete the installation.

1.4 Installing the latest Service Pack

At the end of installation, we recommend installing the latest Service Pack. Download the service pack from the
MyKISSsoft Customer area. The service pack is available either as a ZIP file or as a self-extracting archive (exe
file). Select the installation path when you unpack the service pack. When the patch is imported, it overwrites the
existing files.

This completes the software installation.

1.5 Installing Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

If you have installed KISSsoft on the server, you must also install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages on the
clients before you can use KISSsoft on them.

KISSsoft requires Visual C++ Redistributable Packages 2019. You do not need to install them again if they are
already present on a client.

01.06.2023 5 / 14
2 Activation of a single user license with online code
2.1 Activation of a single user license with online code, without license file
(trial version)
Please follow the instructions as described in tutorial 1, see:
https://www.kisssoft.com/en/mykisssoft-content/filedownloads/documents/Instructions/KISSsoft-
Tutorials/KISSsoft-Tutorial-001-Install_First_Steps-en.pdf

2.2 Activation of a single user license with online code and license file
(student version)
1. Run KISSsoft as administrator. Click on the Windows start button, go to the shortcut to KISSsoft and
click with the right mouse button on the shortcut.
2. Choose “Run as administrator” in the pop-up menu that opens and confirm the subsequent security
request of the User Account Control.

3. After starting KISSsoft, open the tab ‘Extras – license tool’ and ‘General’.

4. Check whether the license file was recognized by the program, and that it is selected as a file in the
license tool:

5. Otherwise, just select it in the combo box “License file”.

6. In the tab ‘Activate License’ click on ‘Activate test or student version (online code required) > > >’.

01.06.2023 6 / 14
 7. Enter your activation code and press the button "Activate license". A message will confirm the activation
by ‘Release of KISSsoft successfully finished’.

8. If the licensing did not work, e.g. due to restrictive firewall rules or internet connection problems, you can
also activate the license by telephone. Open the section ‘Activate test version by phone>>>’ to indicate
the question code to us and leave the window open until you have received the appropriate answer
code.

01.06.2023 7 / 14
 9. Once you have received the answer code, enter it and press “Activate license”. Successful activation will
be confirmed by the message ‘Release of KISSsoft successfully finished’.

01.06.2023 8 / 14
3 License File
The same procedure applies for creating the license file in new installations, as in existing installations in which,
for example, the server has been changed.

3.1 License file for a single user license with dongle

The license file is available in the MyKISSsoft Customer area. The license file's number must match the dongle
number.

3.2 License file for computer-bound single user license with activation
through hardware code
If you want to install a computer-bound (node-locked) single user license, you must send the C: drive hardware
code to KISSsoft AG. Proceed as follows:

1. Start KISSsoft program and open the tab ‘Extras – License tool’.

2. In the tab ‘General’ select the C: drive for your access directory by clicking on the folder button.

After you have selected the directory, the license tool displays the path c:\ and the associated hardware code.

3. Now switch to the tab ‘Activate license’ and select ‘Request license file (communicate access data)>>>’.

01.06.2023 9 / 14
 4. Fill in all the fields and send us this data by e-mail by clicking the ‚Send‘ button. This starts your e-mail
program with the correct e-mail address and sends a text file that contains the necessary data as an
attachment. Alternatively, you can save this data to a text file manually and then e-mail it to us. Simply
click on ‚Save‘ and send the file to [email protected].

KISSsoft AG will then create a license file and make it available for download in the MyKISSsoft customer zone.

3.3 License file for floating license

If you want to install a floating license, you must send the access directory's name and the hardware code to
KISSsoft AG. Proceed as follows:

1. Start KISSsoft program and open the tab ‘Extras – License tool’.

2. In the tab “General” select your access directory by clicking on the folder button. The access directory
must be located on a server that can be viewed by all the computers (clients) in the same way, and grant
them read, write and delete rights.

01.06.2023 10 / 14
The name of the access directory should not contain the release number nor the license number, as it is
independent of the release and can be used for several license numbers.

After you have selected the directory, the license tool displays the UNC resolution of the selected path and the
associated hardware code, in the format: \\SERVER\directory\. The FQDN name (Full Qualified Domain Name)
should be used for the server name, not the alias name.

3. Now switch to the tab ‘Activate license’ and select ‘Request license file (communicate access data)>>>’.

01.06.2023 11 / 14
 4. Fill in all the fields and send us this data by e-mail by clicking the ‚Send‘ button. This starts your e-mail
program with the correct e-mail address and sends a text file that contains the necessary data as an
attachment. Alternatively, you can save this data to a text file manually and then e-mail it to us. Simply
click on ‚Save‘ and send the file to [email protected].

KISSsoft AG will then create a license file and make it available for download in the MyKISSsoft customer zone.

4 Check
4.1 Checking a single user license with dongle
Before you can run KISSsoft on a computer, you must plug the supplied USB dongle into a free USB port. Start
KISSsoft and click on “Extras – License tool – General” to see whether the license number has been recognized
correctly and check that no error message is displayed. This means the license has been activated successfully.

4.2 Checking a computer-bound single user license

Start KISSsoft and click on “Extras – License tool – General” to see whether the license number has been
recognized correctly and check that no error message is displayed. This means the license has been activated
successfully.

4.3 Checking a floating license

Start KISSsoft from a computer (client) and click on “Extras – License tool – General” to see whether the license
number has been recognized correctly and check that no error message is displayed. This means the license has
been activated successfully.

5 Problem Resolution and Support

5.1 Procedure with message ‘license file invalid’
With floating licenses and computer-bound single user licenses with activation through hardware code, the
following message is shown when any data are wrong regarding hardware code or access directory.

The most common cause of the above message is that the hardware code defined in the KISSsoft license file is
different from the hardware code of the access directory. This is possible, for example, due to a change of server
or changing hardware codes in virtual machines. Please note that in KISSsoft, the hardware code of the current
access directory is displayed and not the hardware code that is entered in the KISSsoft license file.

01.06.2023 12 / 14
Proceed as follows:

1. Make sure that you are using the current license file from the MyKISSsoft customer area.
2. Start KISSsoft and check the access directory and the hardware code under 'Extras - License Tool' in
the 'General' tab.
3. Start KISSsoft from a second computer (client) and repeat the steps as described above. Ensure that the
access directory and the hardware code are identical to the previous computer. This ensures that the
hardware code is immutable.
4. If the access directory and the hardware code were identical on both computers, send this information
again to [email protected] according to section 2.2. Otherwise, contact your IT department about the
possibilities of providing an immutable hardware code.

KISSsoft AG will then create a license file again and make it available for download in the MyKISSsoft Customer
area.

5.2 Creating a log file

In the case of ongoing problems with changing hardware codes, a log file can provide clarity. Each time KISSsoft
is being accessed, the serial number of the hard disk, the access directory and the hardware code are listed. In
this way it can be determined whether a changing serial number of the hard disk is being read by certain
computers (clients).

Proceed as follows:

1. Create an empty text file named 'license5.log' and place it in the access directory.
2. Start KISSsoft from several computers.
3. Check the entries in the log file and compare the hardware codes of the individual accesses.
4. Clarify with your IT why a changeable hardware code of the access directory could be read. The type of
connection between the computer and the server may have to be adjusted or a different server used.

5.3 General procedure for activation problems

If there are ongoing problems activating the license, the following procedure is recommended: The most common
causes of activation problems are multiple installations, wrong releases, or other.

1. Save the license file to the license directory again.

2. Check whether the LICDIR entry is present in the KISS.ini configuration file, if the installation type
'Installation on local computers with license file on the server‘ is selected.
3. Run KISSsoft.exe, which is located in the 'KISSsoft 2023/bin' directory.

01.06.2023 13 / 14
5.4 Support
If the software still does not run properly, please contact our Sales department by e-mail ([email protected]) or
telephone (+41 55 254 20 53).

01.06.2023 14 / 14