Your devices license with CODESYS

For you, this means:

• You use the standard platforms for which pre-customized runtime systems are available. See also https://us.store.codesys.com/softplc.html.
• You do not need the CODESYS Runtime Toolkit for this. Accordingly, it is not necessary to make any adjustments at this stage.
• Thanks to the pre-customized runtime system, your devices are ready for immediate use.
• For customizations or additions—such as key switches for start/stop or custom I/Os—the CODESYS Control SL Extension Package is available for systems running on Linux. You can download this package for free and use it to implement your own extensions.
• Your devices can be expanded using add-on products from the CODESYS Store, such as those for additional fieldbus protocols or visualization options.
• You can purchase runtime licenses directly through the CODESYS Store.
• Alternatively, you can ship your devices without a runtime license and let your customers purchase the appropriate license from the CODESYS Store and install it on your device.
• You or your customers can also purchase all other options directly through the CODESYS Store.
• The following information does not apply to you if you do not need the Runtime Toolkit. 

For you, this means:

• You need the CODESYS Runtime Toolkit for each hardware/operating system platform on which you want to embed the runtime (see below). In addition to the standard platforms, you can use custom platforms for which the CODESYS runtime system is available.
  • With the Runtime Toolkit, you have complete freedom in designing your device. This means you can omit standard functions provided by CODESYS or add your own functions.
  • To be able to extend your devices with CODESYS functions, we strongly recommend that you do not disable extensibility via CODESYS Store add-ons.
  • You bear sole responsibility for the system of the marketed device and provide first-level support.
  • If you order a sufficient number of runtime licenses, you are entitled to second-level support.
  • You can order runtime licenses through CODESYS Sales or your distributor. Learn everything about the available license models here.

The CODESYS Control Runtime Toolkit is intended for device manufacturers. Depending on the selected licensing model, the toolkit includes a license file that is valid for your device type and any additional products you may have purchased. You install the license file on the device—along with the version of the runtime system that you have customized. For licensing documentation, you will receive a certificate for the toolkit and any optionally purchased add-on products.

License fees are charged for every device that can be programmed with CODESYS. The amount of the license fees depends on your device’s performance and the number of units during the billing period.

Billing for the licenses used takes place according to the contractually specified billing period (typically a quarter or calendar year). 

Additional products such as the CODESYS PLCHandler, the CODESYS OPC UA Server, the CODESYS Redundancy Toolkit or the products for supporting fieldbus systems can be purchased as add-ons to the CODESYS Runtime Toolkit.

For the add-on products for using CODESYS Visualization and the integrated Motion CNC Robotics toolkit, a surcharge is added to the license fees for the runtime system.

All additional products are licensed by extending the license file, which is documented by a certificate.

The CODESYS Automation Platform is licensed as a buyout. This means that when you purchase the toolkit, you receive the necessary documentation and the SDK as well as license codes for the creation of add-on components or stand-alone tools.

For you as a device manufacturer, it can also be useful to use additional tools to increase efficiency when implementing application code. For example, you can use it to create and test specific library functions much more effectively. It also allows you to provide your customers with ideal support when they encounter user issues. Licensing is handled through workstation licenses for the CODESYS Development System. These licenses can be stored either on a software license container or on a USB dongle.