System - Account Management

Modified by Jason Howie on Feb 24, 2015
Contents

Parent page: WorkspaceManager Preferences


The System - Account Management page of the Preferences dialog.

Summary

The System – Account Management page of the Preferences dialog provides controls to configure user account management.

Access

The System – Account Management page is part of the main Preferences dialog (File | ) and is accessed by clicking the Account Management entry under the System folder, in the left hand pane of the dialog.

Options/Controls

Altium Connection

PCBWorks includes various on-demand style features, made available to you upon signing in to your PCBWorks Account through the secure Altium portal. Such features include on-demand licensing, automatic software updates, retrieval of updated exchange rates for use with live links to suppliers, and streamlined activation of Standalone licensing. These features, commonly referred to as Altium's on-demand services, are all offered in accordance with a singular underlying vision - to enhance your productivity by delivering the information you need, when and where you need it.

There may be occasion where you need to disconnect from these services altogether. For example, your company may have strict, non-negotiable policies in-place for connection to the 'outside world'. To this end, Altium makes it readily possible to disconnect from its on-demand services, placing full control in your hands. Should your circumstances (or mind) change further down the track, you can reconnect with Altium at any time – on-demand!

The options available in this region of the page offer you the choice of either allowing connections to Altium – which is the default 'state' – or remaining disconnected from Altium:

  • Yes, I would like to allow connection to Altium's on-demand services - by enabling this option you are allowing PCBWorks to connect with Altium, over its secure portal, whenever you want to access and use one of Altium's on-demand services. Enabling this option does not mean you are instantly and constantly connected to Altium. Nor does it mean we are constantly gathering your information. Rather, connection is only made at the time you actually use one of the on-demand-style features that require connection to Altium (through the portal). For example, to sign in to your account from within PCBWorks, and manage extensions and updates, you are using a feature that requires connection with Altium – which is only possible if you have enabled this option to allow such a connection. Data may be gathered at the time of using an on-demand service, to ensure that you are provided with the right service for you.
  • No, I wish to remain disconnected from Altium - by enabling this option, your installation of PCBWorks will stay completely disconnected from Altium. While disconnected, you will not be able to access or use any of the on-demand services that require a connection with Altium. In essence, this option is a 'Full Off' switch, with the trade-off of not being able to use any of Altium's on-demand services, for peace of mind that absolutely no hidden connections to Altium will be made.
When the option to remain disconnected is enabled, the page will change to display a 'severed' connection graphic and all other options on the page will be disabled (account sign-in and server management).
If you are actively using a Standalone license, disconnecting from Altium will not affect the license, in the sense that it is already activated and in use. Irrespective of whether you are signed in or working offline with the license, simply disconnect and carry on working in true standalone fashion. If you are accessing your Standalone license for the very first time, or you have inadvertently deleted the license from your computer (and have no backup of the associated license file), you will need to activate (reactivate) the license. This can only be done while connected to Altium, and signed in to your PCBWorks Account.
Use of PCBWorks's Live Links to Supplier Data feature does not require you to be signed in to your PCBWorks Account, as searching is conducted directly with the suppliers through web services. However, when displaying pricing information in alternate currencies, exchange rates for currency conversion are refreshed daily, provided you are signed in to your account. When you disconnect from Altium, access to these rates – which are updated every 24 hours – is lost.
While disconnected from Altium, you will not be able to utilize on-demand licensing, nor will automatic checking for updates be performed. Also, should you access the Extensions and Updates area to perform a change to your installation – such as installing a new extension – you will not be able to proceed. All installation changes – and management of extensions – requires that you be signed in to your PCBWorks Account.

Information Gathered

When you use a feature that connects PCBWorks to the on-demand services, Altium may collect the following information:

  • MAC Addresses: Altium uses a computer's MAC address to identify a PC. If you sign in on multiple computers, each sign in request will be recorded uniquely.
  • HDD serial numbers: Along with the MAC addresses, this information provides a robust way to identify a PC for licensing purposes.
  • CircuitStudio version: Altium uses the software version to differentiate between products so that the correct services can be delivered for each product.

Altium does not, and shall not, read or gather any information about the designs or files you use within PCBWorks.

All connections to the Altium portal through PCBWorks are secure. Along with the information that is gathered, information that you enter will also be communicated in requests to Altium's portal. When data is recorded with Altium's portal, the data will include a time stamp showing when the data was recorded.

Altium's Privacy Policy

Altium is committed to ensuring that all the details you provide to us remain secure. The following privacy policy discloses the information practices for Altium services.

  • How we use the information - the information gathered by Altium is used to provide you with the correct services that can be delivered for your product. Altium may also use the information for internal reviews and analysis in order to improve our products and services. We will not disclose your individual information to any third party and will not sell, trade or rent that information for marketing purposes. If we need to disclose any information to conform to any laws or legal process we will do so in a manner so as to provide the maximum amount of protection legally possible for such information.
  • Consent - by connecting with Altium's services through PCBWorks, you are consenting to the gathering of this information and our use of this information in accordance with the principles outlined in this Privacy Policy. If at any time we change the Privacy Policy we will post those changes on the website so that you are kept fully informed.

Account Sign in

Enter your user name and password in this section to sign in.

  • User Name - Enter your user name in this field, this is the the user name created when your PCBWorks Account Credentials were created. Contact your local SolidWorks representative if you do not have your PCBWorks Account credentials available.
  • Password - Enter your PCBWorks Account password in this field.
  • Sign me in when I start PCBWorks - enable this option to automatically be signed in to your account when you start the software.
These settings are reflected in, and are also affected by changes made through, the Account Sign In dialog. This dialog is accessed by clicking the Sign In control, in the My Account area – one of several views available under PCBWorks's Home page. Access this area by clicking the My Account link, in the Tasks pane of PCBWorks's Home page. The Home page itself is accessed by clicking View | System | , from the main menus.

Altium Account Management Servers

When you sign in to your account, you do so through an Altium portal. On the Altium side, a portal is simply a secure connection through to a specific Altium Account Management Server. Use the Location field to enter the required portal. The default portal is portal2.altium.com.

 

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