ATLAS FOR MICROSOFT DYNAMICS AX

Licensing Model and Pricing 2012 License Model 2012 FAQ

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

Copyright © 2012, Globe Software Worldwide Pty Ltd, All rights reserved.

Trademarks

Microsoft Dynamics AX, IntelliMorph, and X++ have been registered as or are under registration as

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows 9x are

registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Software release

This documentation accompanies Atlas 5, which is suitable for Microsoft Dynamics AX versions 4 SP1,

Microsoft Dynamics AX 2009, Microsoft Dynamic AX2012 and for the 2007 & 2010 Microsoft Office

Systems.

Publication date

20 February 2012

Reader comments

Any comments or suggestions regarding this publication are welcomed and should be addressed to

the attention to either email addresses below:

licensing@globesoftware.com.au

helpdesk@globesoftware.com.au

1 Introduction

1.1 Outline Atlas is a global reporting and uploading solution for Microsoft Dynamics™ AX.

In February 2011, a new license model and price list was released, which saw the launch of an

Atlas CONCURRENT model.

The purpose of this document is to assist Atlas partners in answering the most frequently

asked questions about Atlas licensing.

1.1.1 Download

This Licensing Model document is used in conjunction with the price list, which also acts as an

order form. The latest Atlas 5 price list can be downloaded from:

www.globesoftware.com.au/ProductInformation

Price lists are based on the partner/ customer region; ultimately, the price to be applied is

based on the location of the customer. So, if a French partner is serving a UK customer, the

GBP price list should be applied.

Partners will need to register at www.atlas4dynamicsax.com with partner privilege to be able

to download this price list. This price list is not available to customers.

If you require any assistance with registering for the website, please contact your local

account manager.

1.2 Licensing model & Pre-requisites Atlas 5 offers both a concurrent and named user license model.

1.2.1 Concurrent User License

Concurrent User licenses allow multiple Atlas users to access the software with the same

license key – importantly, only user is logged on to an Atlas session at any one time.

When the user count equals the concurrent limit, employees who are not „in session‟ must

wait for an existing user to exit his session. The concurrent user model treats everyone the

same; first in, first served.

A full concurrent license is approximately half the regional price of a single DAX user. This

price reduces further, based on the license model and type, allowing customers to mix and

match licenses according to their specific requirements.

1.2.2 Named User License

Named User licenses allow a specific named user to access the software at any time. The user

is not restricted by any usage requests from other Atlas users Introduction

Typically within an organization, Named User licenses are ideal for key Atlas users and senior

management, who wish to ensure that they always have access to Atlas.

Once a Named User license key has been activated by a user, no other user will be able to use

this key until it has been reactivated.

Named User licenses are 40% of the full Concurrent User license

1.3 Pre-requisite Commercial Software Here follows a brief description of the commercial pre-requisites. For full details please visit

the Software section of our website: www.atlas4dynamicsax.com

1.3.1 Microsoft Office 2007 & Office 2010

Atlas is available for Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook. A license to use these

Microsoft products is not included with an Atlas license and much be purchased separately.

1.3.2 Microsoft Dynamics Business Connectors.

In terms of access to Microsoft Dynamics AX2009 by means other than its own rich “windows”

client, an AX Business Connector or Dynamics Client for Microsoft Office (DCO) must be

licensed from Microsoft. The AX External Connector cannot be used for employees to access

Dynamics AX, instead each employee is requires a license to use the Dynamic Client for Office

(DCO).

In 2010, Microsoft renamed this business connector to AX Light User in the price list:

1.3.3 Dynamics AX 4

Atlas 5 supports AX 4, once the Business Connectors have been configured.

You should note that for AX 4, the Business Connector is only supported on a 32 bit server.

Therefore Atlas 5 is not available for AX 4 users on a 64 bit server.

1.3.4 Dynamics AX 2009

Atlas 5 supports AX 2009 once the Business Connectors have been configured.

1.3.5 Dynamics AX 2012

Atlas 5 supports AX 2012 once the Business Connectors have been configured.

1.4 Product Editions Atlas 5 has been built with an n-tier architecture which separates the Atlas client from back

end server services.

1.4.1 Atlas Clients

1.4.1.1 Atlas Designer

The full Atlas client for Office 2007 & Office 2010 allows the user to integrate with Microsoft

Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Designer licenses are available for both concurrent and named user clients.

Ribbon for a full client:

1.4.1.2 Atlas Standard

An Atlas Standard client has full report refresh, drilldown and upload capabilities however the

client cannot access the report and upload designer functionality. Standard users can only

open existing Atlas spreadsheets, documents and presentations. The icons (and functionality)

used for designing reports and upload templates are disabled for Standard licenses.

Designer licenses are available for both concurrent and named user clients.

The price of a Standard Client is 50% of the Designer Client. There is no minimum quantity for

Standard licenses.

Ribbon for a Standard client:

1.4.2 Atlas Server

The Atlas client has no direct interface to Dynamics AX; instead, the Atlas client connects to an

Atlas server in the same way that the AX client connects to an AX server. The Atlas Server

connects to Dynamics AX via the AX .NET Business Connector.

Atlas introduces new capabilities for remote/ off-site employees. These employees can

maintain their connection to Dynamics AX via an internet connection which can access the

Atlas Web Service. There is no requirement to VPN in first.

Each Atlas Server connects to a single Dynamics AX Object Service (AOS). Microsoft has

documented limits on each AOS to 75 logins therefore this must be taken into consideration –

additional AX Application Object Servers may need to be purchased also.

A minimum of one (1) Atlas Server is required for each Atlas4 customer (not end user).

1.4.2.1 Atlas Server for Dynamics AX 2009

This server application has been configured to integrate to Dynamics AX 2009 limited to 50

active connections/logins.

Therefore, 1 Atlas Server is required for each 50 Atlas licenses.

1.4.2.2 Atlas Server for Dynamics AX 4

This server application has been configured to integrate to Dynamics AX 4 limited to 50 active

connections/logins.

Therefore, 1 Atlas Server is required for each 50 Atlas licenses.

1.4.2.3 Atlas Server for Dynamics AX 2012

This server application has been configured to integrate to Dynamics AX 2012 limited to 50

active connections/logins.

Therefore, 1 Atlas Server is required for each 50 Atlas licenses.

1.4.2.3 Atlas Licensing Server

The Atlas Licensing Server is a server component, which allows customers to log in to their

Atlas client and integrate with AX from any PC, laptop or VPN. So customers using Atlas are

no longer restricted to a single terminal.

The server manages the license keys AND generates new secure authentication each time

users log in to Atlas. Introduction

This feature is now standard in all Atlas installs.

1.4.3 Atlas 3.5 Enterprise Licensing Policy for New customers from 01-Mar-11

Atlas 3.5 ENT is still available for customers who are on Office 2003/ AX 3.0 or earlier versions.

1.4.4 Atlas 3.5 Standard Edition – no longer available

Atlas 3.5 STD is no longer available.

2 Conversion and Upgrade Options

All existing Atlas customers who are in maintenance are entitled to a free of charge

conversion or upgrade to the Atlas 5. The default upgrade is 1 x Atlas 3.5 license for 1 x Atlas

5 Designer Concurrent license

If a customer is not in maintenance, they are not entitled to a conversion or upgrade until

they have bought back maintenance to cover the expired period and the following 12 month

period.

2.1 Atlas 3.5 Upgrade Policy

Customers can upgrade to Atlas 5 Designer Concurrent (Atlas 5 DC) license on a 1:1 basis.

The license value will remain at Atlas 3.5 Software License Value (SLV) rate that they

purchased. Once the customer buys a new Atlas 5 license, the new Software License Value will

be added to the existing SLV.

This conversion policy applies to both Atlas 3.5 ENT and Atlas 3.5 STD customers.

2.2 Atlas 4 Conversion Policy – Existing Users

All Atlas 4 customers, who have purchased Atlas prior to 14-Feb-11, will be able to

reconfigure their licenses to the new concurrent and named user model. The existing, pre-14-

Feb-11, licenses value will be credited against the new license model to allow the licenses to

be reconfigured as per customer’s requirements.

No refunds or credits will be made.

In the event of the newly configured license value being higher, an invoice will be issued to

cover the balance.

The old license model is being phased out at end of March. From 20-feb-2012, licenses can

only be purchased based on the 2012 License Model.

2.3 Atlas 4 xl (Excel only) – no longer available

This product is no longer available for sale.

Conversion can still take place by reconfiguring the licenses based on the existing pre-14-Feb-

11 price list (as per example in 2.2 above)

You should contact your local account manager to discuss conversions scenarios, license

values and options for your customers.

3 Price list

3.1 Atlas for Microsoft Dynamics AX The current Atlas 5 price list for each region is available for partners to download:

www.atlas4dynamicsax.com.

3.1.1 Atlas Application Server

Each Atlas Service can accept up to 50 Atlas client connections. Purchasing the Atlas

Application Server includes the installation licenses for:

- A single production/live environment

- A single test environment

- The Atlas Application Server is a Windows Service and can be implemented within the

network domain or as a web service.

3.1.2 Atlas 5 Concurrent – Designer & Standard

Concurrent licenses are available in both Designer and Standard

Standard licenses are 50% of the Designer license.

There is no minimum quantity.

Concurrent licenses can be purchased in combination with Named User licenses; all licenses

are now managed through the license server.

3.1.3 Atlas 5 Named User – Designer & Standard

Named User licenses are available in both Designer and Standard

Standard licenses are 50% of the Designer license.

There is no minimum quantity.

Named User licenses can be purchased in combination with concurrent licenses; all licenses

are now managed through the license server.

3.1.4 Atlas 5 Maintenance

Annual maintenance is calculated at the rate of 16% of the listed software price, i.e. before any

volume discounts have been applied.

Maintenance is obligatory in the first year.

For any existing Atlas customers, who purchase additional licenses, their maintenance is

prorated to the expiry date of their current maintenance contract.

Maintenance can be extended beyond this period by amending the expiry date in the order

form:

3.1.5 Volume Discounts

Volume discounts are issued per transaction (order) based on the total number of Atlas users

in this order. The volume discount scale is indicated below:

4 Worked Examples

4.1 New Customer - concurrent licenses: 5 x Designer and 20 x Standard

As the total number of users is less than 50, 1 x Atlas 5 Server will be required.

This order qualifies for a 15% volume discount on the software.

4.2 Existing customer – additional licenses: 5 x Named User Designers

The order form is completed as normal. The number of servers is 0, unless this new order

takes the customer’s total user count over 50 (1 x Atlas 5 Server is required for each 50 users).

Maintenance is calculated based on the current expiry date of the existing contract, so that

the appropriate pro-rated maintenance is calculated on the additional users – this expiry date

can be added in the “Atlas Maintenance Date‟ cell:

There is no discount on this order, however if the customer orders an additional 1 x Atlas 5

Standard named user, the order qualifies for a 10% discount on the software, resulting in a

free license.

4.3 New Customer – combination: Concurrent and Named Users

One of the advantages of the new model is that it allows any combination of licenses to be

ordered in line with the customer’s budget, total number of users and access privileges.

In this scenario, 40 x Concurrent Users licenses have been split between Designer and

Standard users. Additionally, 13 x Named Users have been ordered, ensuring that key users

and senior management always have access to their Atlas keys.

As the total user count is 53, 2 x Atlas 5 Servers are required. This order qualifies for a 25%

volume discount on the software.

4.4 Existing Atlas 3.5 Customer Upgrades to Atlas 5 ABC Ltd has $13,250 Software License Value (total to annual maintenance contract of

US$2,120 p.a.) for its 10 x Atlas 3.5 concurrent licenses. The upgrade path allows them to

receive 10 x Atlas 5 Concurrent Designer licenses and 1 x Atlas 5 Server.

The Software License Value will remain base on the Atlas 3.5 purchase value ($13,250).

Purchasing additional licenses will add the new value to the existing SLV. If the customer

decides to convert in the future, we take the Software License Value ($13,250) as credit

balance and apply it to their new order (note that the customer would need to purchase 1

server).

4.5 Existing Atlas 5 (named-user) Customer Converts: to Concurrent Model XYZ Ltd

They currently have 6 x Atlas 5 Designer Named licenses + 1 x Atlas Server license.

Their Software License Value: US$7,000 with US $1,120 maintenance.

The Conversion path allows them to credit this against a new Atlas license configuration.

(Remaining Maintenance will be calculated and added to the credit. e.g., if customer’s

maintenance will expire in 100 days, we will apply that 100 days maintenance to the credit for

the customer to use, however this means we will charge the customer 100 days maintenance

for the new licenses).

The customer wants the CONCURRENT model license:

4.5.1 NO INVOICE

They trade their existing license for: 2 x Designer Concurrent + 1 x Atlas Server License totals

to $5,800. Globe Software does not give out refund, therefore the remaining value of $1,200

will be deemed as forfeit unless the customer uses it in some way.

4.5.2 INVOICE

They trade their existing license for: 3 x Designer Concurrent + 1 x Atlas Server License totals

to $8,200.

US $7,000 – US $8,200 = --$1,800.

This means an invoice of $1,800 needs to be made.