In the ocean of the animation and VFX industry, the software applications come in different land forms (read ‘functionalities’). Be it pre-production, production, post-production, distribution or management, you need specific software at each segment. Together, they help bring your ideas to life.
Here’s a look at the different types of software in this industry:
- 2D animation/3D modelling: Autodesk Maya, 3ds Max, Blender, Adobe Animate
- Sculpting: Zbrush, Mudbox
- Video editing and post-production: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer
- Advanced color grading, composting and special effects: Da Vinci Resolve, Adobe After Effects, Nuke
- Graphic design: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw
- Audio production and music composition: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live
- 3D visualization and virtual production: Unreal Engine, Unity
- Content management solutions: Adobe Experience Manager, Bynder
- Analytics tools: Google Analytics
Notably, organizations in this industry work in cohesion, so do the software applications. However, as these apps come with diverse functionalities as well as license types, companies often find it difficult to track and manage software licenses in their ecosystem.Â
Effective license management: Why is it a must for animation and VFX companies?
Just like any other industry dependent on engineering or specialty software licenses, effective license management is crucial for animation and VFX studios for several reasons:
- Cost Efficiency: With proper license management, studios can ensure that they pay for the licenses they need and use. With this practice in place, they can optimize their software expenses and allocate resources more effectively.
- Compliance and Legal Protection: Ensuring compliance with software licensing agreements is vital to avoid penalties and legal actions. By following license management best practices, studios can conveniently stay compliant with all the licenses in their ecosystem.
- Enhanced Productivity: By ensuring users will get a license when needed, studios can avoid delays and enable their artists and technicians to work efficiently—which automatically boosts productivity.
- Improved Collaboration: With accurate license tracking and management, studios can facilitate better collaboration across distributed teams. Remote license management capabilities ensure that all team members, regardless of location, can access the necessary software.
- Informed Decision-Making: Advanced reporting and analytics provide insights into software usage, helping studios make informed decisions about license allocation, renewals, and purchases. This data-driven approach ensures optimal use of resources.
Introducing OpenLM’s Smart SLM: Revolutionizing Software License Management
OpenLM revolutionizes software license management in the animation and VFX industry by offering a comprehensive solution tailored to its diverse needs. With precise real-time monitoring, advanced usage reports and optimization capabilities, OpenLM enables efficient license utilization, increased productivity and cost savings. It manages Autodesk single-user subscription licenses, concurrent licenses, and token flex licenses with precision, providing advanced reporting for real-time and historical usage.
OpenLM also consolidates diverse licensing types into a single platform for better control on the licenses and software assets. It supports remote license management, enhances collaboration, and aids in cost allocation and chargeback, maximizing ROI for studios.
Have specific license management concerns? Reach out to us.
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