This page refers to SmartBear ID-based licenses that we introduced from TestComplete version 15.48 onwards.
For information on legacy key-based licenses, which are no longer being actively supported, see Key-Based Licenses.
What is SmartBear ID?
We started using SmartBear ID-based licenses in TestComplete 15.48. They are more reliable and convenient to use in comparison with the license type the previous product versions use.
Why use a SmartBear ID and the new license management system?
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You can easily manage your team’s TestComplete (or TestExecute or both) licenses through a centralized online portal.
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You can install and use TestComplete and TestExecute in virtual and cloud environments, for instance, Amazon or Microsoft Azure (including Microsoft-hosted agents) without any restrictions. A static IP will not be needed.
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You can install and use TestComplete and TestExecute in any physical network without any hardware restrictions.
Basics
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To activate and use the product, you need to specify your SmartBear account (account or ID — an email and a password). If you don’t have it, you need to create one. We create an account (or ID) for you automatically when you are requesting a TestComplete trial on our website. You can also create it any time earlier or later.
That ID is enough to use the product, there is no need to install any other license files or enter license keys.
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When TestComplete starts for the first time after the installation, it asks you to specify your SmartBear account. After this, it connects to the SmartBear license servers (see below) and checks if your account has a license (or licenses) for TestComplete and its modules. If the license is found, it enables its functionality. TestComplete stores information on your SmartBear ID, so you don’t have to enter your credentials next time you start the product.
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The ID-based activation can be used on any physical, virtual, or cloud computer.
You can install the product on multiple machines, easily switch between them, and work under the same SmartBear account. To make a license available for usage on another computer, simply stop the product on your current machine.
The number of allowed concurrent product instances is set by your license.
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The new licenses are suitable for both individual and enterprise users. In the latter case, a license administrator (a person on your side) assigns the license seats to your teammates on the SmartBear License Management.
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TestComplete supports a special command-line argument to allow using the licenses on headless machines and in CI/CD builds.
License subtypes
ID-based licenses can be Fixed User and Floating. The difference between them is in how the license seats are assigned and controlled. See the SmartBear License Management documentation for complete info.
Requirements
Currently, all the control over license use is performed by the SmartBear license servers available 24×7. The computer where you are running TestComplete must have permanent access to these servers. That is, the proxies and firewalls running in your network should allow connection to them:
https://manage.smartbear.com:443
https://api.slm.manage.smartbear.com:443
https://login.slm.manage.smartbear.com:443
https://server.manage.smartbear.com:443
https://server.slm.manage.smartbear.com:443
https://profile.id.smartbear.com:443
https://profile-api.id.smartbear.com:443
https://auth.id.smartbear.com:443
This access is needed both at the product start and during the product runtime. The addresses are for API servers and don’t have a user interface visible in browsers. When products call these hosts, they add some specific paths or URLs to the addresses.
We encrypt all data at rest and over the wire.
In case a network glitch happens, TestComplete is smart enough to understand the cause and to remain functioning long enough to let your system administrators fix the issue.
How to get a SmartBear ID
If you are an existing user
To try the new ID-based licenses, please contact our Customer Care team.
If you are a new user (trial user)
You can get a new ID-based license when requesting a TestComplete trial on our website. We give these licenses to some trial users as part of our A/B test:
When requesting a trial, you specify your email. If no SmartBear ID is associated with that email, we will create a new ID automatically. If there is already an ID assigned to this email, a new one will not be created.
If you got a key-based trial license, write to our Customer Care team to get an ID-based one.
Use in private networks
If you work in private networks that are not connected to the global Web, your computers don’t have access to the SmartBear license servers. SmartBear offers a special license type – offline – to make it possible to use ID-based licenses in these conditions. You can convert your commercial Fixed User and Floating licenses to offline ones on the SmartBear License Management and then activate them in your network in a special way. Learn more about licensing in private networks.
To use a TestComplete trial in private networks, you need to get a regular key-based license. See Activate Trial in Private Networks.
How do I use these licenses with TestComplete?
Can I use ID-based licenses on cloud and virtual machines?
Yes, but you need to choose a Floating license. Also, the cloud or virtual machine must have access to SmartBear license servers (see above).
Bundle licenses
SmartBear’s bundle licenses enable features across product families, including TestComplete and TestExecute.
If you already have licenses installed for certain products, installing a bundle license that includes them will replace these licenses. However, the previous licenses will not be deactivated. If you want to move the previous licenses to another machine, deactivate them before installing a bundle license.
Tip: | a bundle license that includes two different products (e.g. TestComplete and TestExecute) allows one user per product. So, with one license seat, two users can work on the two products in the bundle. |
Activate ID-based licensing during installation
Currently, TestComplete supports both ID-based and key-based licensing. To free users from selecting the license type and make the start for them easier, system administrators can activate the ID-based licensing mode during the product installation. When users start TestComplete, they will need to enter their SmartBear ID (email and password), after which they will be able to use the product.
To make the ID-based licensing the active licensing mode, run the TestComplete installer with the -SLM
argument in its command line. The command below installs TestComplete in Silent mode and activates the ID-based licensing scheme:
TestComplete1568_Release.exe -SLM -silentmode
For more information on command-line arguments of the TestComplete installer, see Installing TestComplete in Silent Mode.
Managing licenses
You can manage your SmartBear ID and licenses on our License Management Portal:
More info on licenses
For complete information on the SmartBear ID-based licenses, see our License Management Documentation.
Need assistance?
If you have questions or need assistance with the new licenses, please contact our Customer Care Team or Sales Representative:
Phone: | +1 617-684-2600 |
Web: | https://support.smartbear.com/message/?prod=TestComplete |
If you use the Web form, then when submitting your request, specify the Licensing Inquiry request type. This will help us process your request faster. We will answer you via email and all further communication will be made via email. However, to start the conversation, please use the Web form.
A person on your side who has permissions to assign, release, and manage licenses in the SmartBear License Management.
A person on your side who has permissions to assign, release, and manage licenses in the SmartBear License Management.