QUESTION:
What is the difference between Authorisation and Licence Keys?

ANSWER:
Licence Keys are the latest authorisations - starting with STEP 7 V5.3. The new Licence Keys implement a new concept for licencing SIMATIC-Software. Whereas old authorisations were valid for only one specific version of the software, the Licence Key of a more recent version is automatically valid also for older versions of the same software. However, this validity is restricted to programmes licenced with the Licence Key only. For programmes licenced with Authorisation, only the authorisation for this version is valid.

A further innovation is that Licence Keys (floating license) can be filed on a network drive and then used from several computers. Entry-ID 19021092 describes the possibilities the SIMATIC world offers for this type of licence use.

According to the licence number you can see whether a programm is protected via Authorisation or Licence Key. You can find the licence number in the Automation License Manager (ALM). An Authorisation is identified by a 10-digit licence number, the Licence Key by a 20-digit number.