For IT

Installation

The add-in installs via a standard MSI package, which also runs silently (no dialogs) for bulk deployment through GPO, SCCM, or a similar tool. Exact command-line parameters (property names, log paths) will follow once the first MSI ships — until then, expect the usual msiexec /i … /quiet pattern.

Exact silent-install switches: [MSI_PREPINACE] — added with the first shipped installer.

Called domains

The add-in talks only to howitsolid.com, specifically:

• howitsolid.com/auth — user sign-in for the license.
• howitsolid.com/license — periodic seat validity check.
• howitsolid.com/updates — checking for and downloading add-in updates.

No other domain is contacted. If your firewall only allows outbound traffic to an allow-list, adding this one domain on HTTPS (443) is enough.

What a license check stores

Every license check writes to license_checks: user ID, product ID, the result (allowed/denied and why), the add-in version, and the timestamp. Model or assembly content is never sent. Retention is 12 months, after which the row is deleted automatically — the full breakdown is on the Privacy page (Czech only for now).

Floating seats and network outages

A seat is released automatically when you close SolidWorks or after 15 minutes of inactivity — this heartbeat runs in the background with no user action needed. A brief internet outage won't disconnect the add-in: the last successful check stays valid for a limited window before it reconnects. A sustained outage means a new seat won't be granted until the connection is back — there's no offline activation yet.

Buying for a team

Up to 100 seats, self-service checkout with a tax-ID invoice is available right on the tool's page (Stripe Tax handles VAT and reverse charge automatically). Above 100 seats, or if you need a wire transfer for a smaller order, fill in the quote request form with your seat count and tax ID and we'll send a quote.