License Types

Dongle licenses

With dongle licensing, licenses are stored on an external license device ("dongle") that you can connect to your computer via USB. A dongle is similar to a key: when plugged in, the licenses stored on it are recognized and you get access to the licensed application.

If the dongle gets lost or damaged, you can no longer use the application. In such case, please contact us so that we can send you a replacement. Once you receive your new dongle, you can use the application again.

Dongle licenses are available for GMG ColorProof, GMG OpenColor, and GMG ColorServer.

We recommend you to switch your existing dongle licenses to advanced online licenses. With these, you can prevent production downtime due to a lost or defective dongle and also use your GMG applications in virtual environments. The switch is free of charge for you (see "Switch from dongle licensing to online licensing").

Soft licenses

Soft licenses are computer-based licenses for which you do not need a dongle. Instead, the license file is stored locally on your system and is bound to its individual hardware. If you make changes to the hardware or want to run the application on a different computer, you must manually deactivate your existing license file and request a new one via e-mail.

Soft licenses are only available for GMG ColorPlugin.

Online licenses

Online licenses are system-based licenses for which you do not need a dongle. Instead, the licenses are tied to characteristics of your physical system or virtual environment and kept up to date via the GMG license server. For this purpose, the system must be actively connected to the internet at least once every 60 days.

Online licenses are very fail-safe and only need to be adjusted by us if you want to use them on a completely different system. Moreover, they offer additional advantages over dongle licenses.

  • Flexibility: online licenses can be used on a local machine or in a virtual environment.
  • Reliability: online licenses are stable and cannot break or get lost, as a license dongle can do.
  • Convenience: online licenses are user-friendly; you do not need to carry and plug in a hardware dongle.
  • Speed: online licenses are instantly available; you do not need to wait for dongle deliveries.
  • Supportability: with online licensing, we can assist you more quickly and easily if you have any problems or questions about your licenses.

Online licenses are available for GMG ColorProof, GMG OpenColor, and GMG ColorServer.

If you are currently using these applications with dongle licenses, you can switch the licenses to online licenses yourself via the Application Service in just a few steps (see "Switch from dongle licensing to online licensing"). The switch is free of charge, and your serial number remains the same.

If you have not yet purchased any licenses for your target computer, you can create a new online licensing system via the Application Service. This will automatically give you a serial number for your system, which you can then use to order new licenses (see "Create a new online license system").

Systems with online licensing must be connected to the internet at least every 60 days for the online licensing to remain active. If you use a proxy server or firewall, please ensure that they allow access to *.gmgcolor.com.

If your system is offline for more than 30 days in a row, the Application Service will automatically remind you to reconnect to the Internet. If your system is still offline after 50 days, you will receive daily reminders to reconnect to the Internet until the 60-day period expires. If your system is offline for more than 60 days in a row, it will be automatically deactivated, and you can no longer use the software.

You know that your system will soon be disconnected from the Internet for more than 60 days? Then you can switch your online license system back to a dongle license system using a fallback dongle. Please contact us or your GMG dealer in advance (see "Switch from online licensing to dongle licensing").