License types

Granta MI products use server licenses and user licenses.

Server basis licenses

Granta MI software and Template database products are licensed on a server basis. One license is required per server.

These Granta MI products require a server license.

  • Ansys Granta MI - Enterprise Server
  • Ansys Granta MI - Advanced Workflow
  • Ansys Granta MI - Machine Learning
  • Ansys Granta MI - PLM Sync
  • Ansys Granta MI - Restricted Substances
  • Ansys Granta MI - Sustainability
  • Ansys Granta MI - Material Calibration
  • Ansys Granta MI - Additive Manufacturing Template
  • Ansys Granta MI - Composites Template
  • Ansys Granta MI - Metals Template

All Server license basis licenses in the license file are checked out when the Granta MI server service starts. No further checkouts are required for that product, regardless of the number of users of that product.

Named User licenses

Beginning with version 2025 R2, Named User licensing is the default user licensing mode for new Granta MI deployments. Named User licensing restricts access to licensed products to a pre-defined set of named users. Each user who needs to access Granta MI requires a Named User license.

Allocation of licenses to individual users is configured via a license options file which includes the usernames of all Granta MI users in your organization, and the licenses ("Increments") they are entitled to use.
Note: The number of Named User licenses purchased must correspond to the number of Granta MI users in your organization. Granta MI administrators are responsible for:
  • Ensuring that the number of named users with access to Granta MI is not larger than the contract allows. Tracking this accurately is crucial to avoid over- or under-licensing.
  • Updating the Granta MI licensing options information if any usernames change within your organization.
These Granta MI products require a Named User license.
  • Ansys Granta MI – User. All users in your company or organization who need to use Granta MI require a User license.
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials - Additive Manufacturing
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Aero
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Composites
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Eco
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Electromagnetics
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – ESDU
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials - High Temperature Alloys
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Medical
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Metals
  • Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Polymers

Named User licenses are checked out when the licensed user starts one of the MI applications that consume an MI User license - see Software product license usage. The license remains checked out to that user for the duration of the MI User license period.

Advanced Materials licenses are checked out when data is accessed from an application or when the database schema is edited, and remain checked out for the duration of the MI User license period.

Note: Some Granta MI databases may have links to other licensed Advanced Materials databases. For example, MaterialUniverse records shows links to MMPDS records (MMPDS is a database in the 'Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Aero' data bundle). Viewing a MaterialUniverse datasheet with links to MMPDS does not require an 'Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Aero' license, but if a user clicks a link in a MaterialUniverse record to open the linked MMPDS datasheet, an 'Ansys Granta Advanced Materials – Aero' named user license will be required at that point.

Monthly Active User community licenses

Monthly Active User community licensing for Granta MI is a legacy licensing model that is replaced by Named User licensing from version 2025 R2. If you are currently using the Monthly Active User community basis license model, you will eventually be required to move to the Named User licensing model. We will continue to gradually transition customers to the new licensing model, and to limit the use of our legacy licensing.

Downgrading from Named User licensing to Monthly Active User licensing is not supported.

In a monthly active community basis license model, licenses are pooled for use by anyone from a community of users. When a license is checked out, it remains checked out for the entirety of the calendar month during which the application is accessed or utilized. Only the user who checked out or utilized the license will have access to it during that calendar month. A user may check out and use licenses for more than one product during any calendar month ("License Period") and each license checked out may not be used by any other user during the applicable License Period. All Monthly Active Community licenses are returned to the pool at the start of each calendar month.

See also: Switching to Named User licensing.