Upgrade BarTender edition
Upgrading BarTender Edition in version 2019 and later
Click on the option which best describes your situation
I purchased a new product key code
I upgraded my key and have internet access
Unlike with previous versions, the upgrade can applied to your current key code instead of receiving a new upgrade key code. The license information will update automatically once it communicates with our activation servers. The easiest means to trigger this is to restart the computer or server.
If you find that the license information isn't updating automatically, you can do the following to manually update the license information:
- Open the Administration Console on a computer or with a user that has permissions to work with the license.
- Select Licensing from the left-hand menu
- When the license list populates, right click on the upgraded license.
- Select "Refresh License"
Your license information should now be refreshed.
I upgraded my key but have a closed network
If you have upgraded your product key code but are on a closed network with no outside internet access, you'll need to deactivate the current key code and activate the same one. Please follow these guides to get your new license up and running:
- How to Deactivate BarTender
- Activating the BarTender Suite (open the section labeled "I'm activating a new product key code")
Upgrading BarTender Edition in version 2016 and earlier
Overview
Upgrading editions in version 2016 and earlier generally only involves deactivating your current installation and then reactivating it with the upgraded product key code. The upgrade process varies depending on which editions you are upgrading from and to.
Automation and Enterprise Automation are printer based editions (unlimited users), which means you can install and activate an unlimited number of BarTender clients, but the license is restricted to printing to a limited number of printers, which is is controlled with an additional application called the Seagull License Server.
Click on your upgrade path for steps on how to upgrade your software
Basic to Professional
This upgrade requires deactivating and reactivating the BarTender client. To upgrade, follow these steps:
- First, deactivate the clients by following the steps listed here: How to Deactivate BarTender
- Next, activate the BarTender suite
- Your software is now upgraded to Professional Edition
Basic or Professional to Automation or Enterprise Automation
This upgrade requires deactivating and reactivating the BarTender client AND installing and activating the Seagull License Server. To upgrade, please do the following:
- First, deactivate the BarTender suite (client) by following the steps listed here: How to Deactivate BarTender
- Next, install the Seagull License Server
- The last step is to activate the BarTender Suite with the new product key code
- Your License Server and client should now be upgraded to your new edition
Automation to Enterprise Automation
This upgrade requires deactivating and reactivating both the Seagull License server and the BarTender client.
- First, deactivate the BarTender suite (client) and the Seagull License Server by following the steps listed here: How to Deactivate BarTender. You will need to perform this step for all clients you wish to upgrade.
- Next, activate the License Server with the new product key code
- Finally, reactivate any BarTender Suites that you deactivated in the first step
- Your License Server and all reactivated clients should now be upgraded to Enterprise Automation
Activating the BarTender suite with an upgrade key
- With the suite now deactivated, it's time to activate the BarTender suite with the new upgraded key. First, go to Help -> Activation Wizard
- Select Activate BarTender Suite. Click Next.
- Enter new upgraded product key code (the product key code you received in your upgrade email). Click Next.
- Read the Activation Policy and check the box I Agree. Click Next.
- Select the Country where the BarTender client will be activated.
- The next window will mention activation requires a working internet connection. Click Next. If you do not have one, please follow the instructions here for alternate means to activate your software.
- It will display the connection status. Once completed click Finish.
- To verify activation was successful click Help -> About.
- The Activation Status should be Activated and the Edition should now say your new edition. Close About.
Install the Seagull License Server
You will need to decide where you want to install the Seagull License Server - it may go on a desktop workstation, but we recommend a central location such as an application server if available.
- Installing Seagull License Server (Standalone) - For installing the License Server as a standalone application (BarTender not installed) on a new computer (ie. an application server).
- Installing BarTender Automation or Enterprise Automation - For installing the License Server and BarTender on a new computer.
- Adding Seagull License Server To An Existing BarTender Installation - For installing the License Server on a computer that already has BarTender installed.
Once you have installed, activated, and started the Seagull License Server in your chosen location, return back to the top of the page.
Activating the Seagull License Server with an upgraded product key code
- With the License Server deactivated, you need to reactivate the License Server using the new upgraded product key code. First, go to Help -> Activation Wizard
- Select Activate BarTender Suite. Click Next.
- Enter new upgraded product key code (the product key code you received in your upgrade email). Click Next.
- Read the Activation Policy and check the box I Agree. Click Next.
- Select the Country where the BarTender client will be activated.
- The next window will mention activation requires a working internet connection. Click Next. If you do not have one, please follow the instructions here for alternate means to activate your software.
- It will display the connection status. Once completed click Finish.
- To verify activation was successful click Help -> About.
- The Activation Status should be Activated and the Edition should now say Enterprise Automation. Close About.
- Once the License Server is activated, you may need to start it. If the play button on the UI is green, click it to start the License Server and follow any dialogs. If it is grayed out, your License Server is running and you may close the program.
If you have purchased a product key code, you'll need to deactivate the current key code and activate the new one. Please follow these guides to get your new license up and running:
In addition to activating the product key code in the Administration console, you will need to change which key BarTender Designer is using. To do so, please do the following: