Managing licenses in Sparx Systems Enterprise Architect isn’t just a box to tick during setup. Whether you’re working solo or supporting a large team, knowing how licenses work—and how to handle them—can save you time and confusion down the road.
This guide walks you through the key concepts of license management in Enterprise Architect. It also clears up some common confusion around standard and floating licenses. If you’re an admin or just trying to get your license registered, you’re in the right place.
Understanding Enterprise Architect Licenses
Enterprise Architect Standard Licenses
- Standard licenses are private licenses tied to a single user.
- Once you register it on your machine, it’s yours to use indefinitely (as long as you’re using the same edition).
- Great for individuals or users who always work on the same setup.
Enterprise Architect Floating Licenses
- Floating Licenses come from a central license pool.
- When you start Enterprise Architect, you check one out. When you’re done, it goes back into the pool.
- It’s flexible and ideal for teams who don’t need licenses active 24/7.
Curious about the difference between editions of Enterprise Architect? Compare Sparx EA features across all versions and find your best fit.
License Management Interface in Enterprise Architect
Enterprise Architect gives you a built-in interface to manage your licenses. Access it via: Start > Help > Register.
Here’s a detailed look at the interface:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Key | Displays your active license(s). A long code indicates a standard key. ‘Shared Key’ means it’s a floating license from a central keystore. |
| Lease Expires | For floating licenses, shows when your lease ends—usually within 24 hours. Standard keys show ‘Never’ because the lease does not expire for them. |
| Product | Identifies the edition or add-in the key activates. |
| Add Key | Opens the registration dialog. Use this to: register a new standard key, check out a floating key manually, or upgrade to a new edition/add-in. |
| Remove/Release Key | For Standard keys: removes the license. For Floating keys: releases it back to the pool (usually done automatically on exit). |
| Copy | Copy the selected license key to your clipboard. |
| Close | Closes the license management window. |
| Help | Opens documentation specific to license registration. |
You can also view license info via Start > Help > About EA, including the version, edition, key, and licensed user.
Using the Sparx Systems Floating License Server
What is the Floating License Server?
The Sparx Systems Floating License Server (FLS) is the modern replacement for the old Sparx Systems Keystore Service. It’s a built-in component of the Pro Cloud Server, and it starts automatically when the Pro Cloud Server is running.
The Floating License Server’s biggest benefit is that it uses HTTPS to securely handle license check-ins and check-outs. This means that all data sent between Enterprise Architect and the Floating License Server is safe and encrypted.
What Does It Do?
The Floating License Server controls how floating licenses are shared among your team. It keeps track of the number of licenses that are available and who is using them. Enterprise Architect automatically checks out a license when a user opens it. When they close it, the license goes back to the pool.
Additional benefits include:
Built-in support for logging, so you can generate usage reports.
Enhanced security with password-protected access and domain authentication.
Centralized configuration using the Configuration Client.
Runs as part of the Pro Cloud Server—no need for a separate service.
Compatible with multiple editions and MDG add-ins stored together—users select the license they need without overriding others.
Adding and Managing Licenses in EA
Registering a Standard Key
1. Go to Start > Help > Register.
2. Click on the “Enter Private Key” tab.
3. Fill in your Name and Company.
4. Paste your registration key into the provided field.
5. Click OK to apply the key.
Connecting to the Floating License Server
1. Open Start > Help > Register.
2. Click the “Get Shared Key” tab.
3. Enter your Name and Company.
4. In the Shared Keystore field, click the Browse button.
5. Depending on your configuration:
- File-Based:
- Select File-Based Keystore.
- Click Browse and locate your keystore file.
- Network-Based:
- Select Sparx Keystore Server.
- Choose ssks or https as the protocol.
- Enter the Server address and Port.
- If required, provide a Username and Password.
- Click Test to check your connection.
6. Click OK to return.
7. Select the appropriate product from the Select a Product dropdown.
8. Click OK again to activate the license.
9. The License Management dialog will now show the floating key registered.
Upgrading Your Enterprise Architect License
For Standard Licenses
1. Purchase the upgrade key from Sparx Systems.
2. Open Start > Help > Register.
3. Click on Add Key.
4. Fill in your Name and Company.
5. Paste your new upgrade key.
6. Click OK. A success message will confirm the upgrade.
7. Go to Start > Help > About EA.
8. Copy your new registration key and store it safely.
For Floating Licenses
Just have your license admin assign you the upgraded key. If you’re using a floating license key with extended checkout, release it first, then connect again to get the new one.
Reminder:
Upgrading is different from renewing. Renewals don’t require a new key.
Important Notes on Licensing Behavior
License Overrides (Standard Licenses Only)
A Standard license key for a more advanced edition of Enterprise Architect will override a key for a simpler edition. For example, a Standard Ultimate Edition will replace a Standard Unified or Corporate Edition that is already being used.
Floating vs Standard Keys
These use different formats and are not interchangeable. You cannot apply a floating key where a standard key is expected, and vice versa.
Trial & Lite Editions
If you’re using the Enterprise Architect Free Trial or Lite Edition, you can’t upgrade or register a license directly in that installation. You must download the full registered installer from the Sparx Systems’ Registered User Downloads.
Then you can register your purchased license key.
Still using the trial version? Upgrade to a full Enterprise Architect license and unlock all features.
Enterprise Architect makes license management fairly straightforward—once you know the ropes. Standard keys are simple and permanent. Floating licenses offer flexibility.
Set it up right, know how to upgrade when the time comes, and make sure your users know where to find what. That’s all there is to it.
