Key Takeaways
- Simultaneous accesses are counted, not authorized people.
- IBM defines a Concurrent User as a person accessing the program at any particular point in time.
- If the limit is reached, additional users must wait until a seat becomes free.
- The appropriate quantity is based on peak simultaneous usage.
How does a concurrent user license work?
With a concurrent user license, a license server or the provider checks at every login how many sessions are currently active. If a seat is free, the session starts; otherwise, the person has to wait. After logging out, the seat becomes available again. This allows many authorized users to share a fixed number of simultaneous accesses.
When is a concurrent user license worthwhile?
A concurrent user license is worthwhile when many people use software only occasionally and at different times.
- Shift operations where teams work one after another
- Specialized software that is only opened for specific tasks
- Teams across different time zones
What should small and medium-sized businesses watch out for with concurrent user licenses?
Small and medium-sized businesses should align the license quantity with real usage peaks. Too few seats lead to waiting times; too many lead to unnecessary costs. Because a single concurrent seat can be more expensive than a named user license, comparing both models with real usage data before signing a contract is worthwhile.
Example: Concurrent User License in practice
Example: A home care service with 80 employees uses documentation software. 60 caregivers are authorized, but they work in three shifts, so at most 22 are logged in at the same time. The service buys 25 concurrent user licenses instead of 60 named user licenses and keeps 3 seats as a buffer for shift handovers.
Concurrent User License vs. Named User License
| Aspect | Concurrent User License | Named User License |
|---|---|---|
| Counting unit | Simultaneous access | Authorized person |
| Assignment | No fixed assignment; seats are shared | Fixed to one person |
| Costs scale with | Higher simultaneous usage | Each additional person |
| Suitable for | Occasional, time-shifted usage | Regular use by almost all authorized users |
A concurrent user license only counts simultaneous accesses, whereas a named user license counts every authorized person.
How does Sovaro help with Concurrent User License?
Sovaro records contracts, renewals, and notice periods per subscription. However, the number of simultaneous sessions and usage peaks of a concurrent user license can only be provided by the vendor or its license server.