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Hexagon Aicon Etalon Modernizes Software Licensing with Thales Sentinel
How a precision measurement innovator automated, secured, and scaled software business through cloud-based entitlement management
Introduction
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence (HMI), a global leader in precision measurement technologies, delivers cutting-edge structured light scanner systems, photogrammetry solutions, and full geometric analysis tools through its Aicon Etalon business line. Based in Braunschweig, Germany, Aicon Etalon technologies are used by manufacturers, robotics specialists, and research institutions worldwide.
As its software portfolio grew, Aicon Etalon faced a common industry challenge: how to manage hundreds of software licenses and thousands of updates every year while keeping their software secure, provide customers a straightforward licensing experience, and ensure streamlined internal workflows. To sustain innovation, the company pursued a scalable approach to software licensing that would support their technical requirements and satisfy customers. Their needs led to an expanded partnership with Thales Sentinel, their trusted provider of secure licensing and entitlement management since 1996.
The Challenge: Simplifying Complexity in a Software-Driven World
For decades, Aicon Etalon relied on hardware-based systems such as Sentinel Hardlock, HASP, and the Sentinel Licensing Development Kit (LDK) to secure its intellectual property. But evolving business and market demands required the company to undergo a digital transformation to meet the following goals:
- Maintain strong software security and compliance
- Reduce engineering workloads for license administration
- Unify licensing across product lines
- Enable scalable, recurring software revenue models
As part of Hexagon’s digital transformation, Aicon Etalon recognized that the next step in innovation was optimizing how software entitlements were delivered and managed.
The Turning Point: Cloud-Based Entitlement with Thales Sentinel
In 2023, Aicon Etalon migrated to a cloud-based entitlement management system hosted by Thales. The new platform consolidated multiple legacy systems into one centralized, automated framework.
By adding software-based licenses alongside existing hardware keys, the company gained flexibility and improved customer choice. Outsourcing infrastructure updates, maintenance, and scalability to Thales’ experts ensured consistent performance, security, and continuity of business operations without adding internal overhead. They collaborated closely with Aicon Etalon’s Technical Service & Support group to deliver tailored recommendations for a smooth transition aligned with Hexagon’s enterprise strategy.
The Transformation: Automation, Agility, and Security
Using Thales Sentinel Web Services, Aicon Etalon integrated legacy and new licensing environments into a single, fully automated system. Licenses are now created, activated, updated, and renewed automatically — removing the need for manual processing or customer intervention. Their Thales Sentinel integration delivered distinct advantages and measurable results from day one:
- Intelligent Automation for Speed and Scale
License updates now execute in seconds (rather than weeks) through fully automated workflows. This eliminates manual intervention, accelerates time-to-market, and scales seamlessly as business demand grows. - Smart License Conversion and Reduced Support Load
Trial licenses automatically convert to paid versions, simplifying the sales process and minimizing friction. Automation has also reduced license-related support tickets, freeing engineering teams to focus on innovation. - Enhanced Customer Experience and Responsiveness
Clients benefit from instant provisioning, automated renewals, and real-time software updates — delivering a frictionless experience that strengthens satisfaction and loyalty. - Security and Compliance
Centralized license protection ensures consistent compliance across all deployments, safeguarding against revenue leakage and ensuring customers can access the software according to their license terms. - Revenue Growth Flexibility
Software-based licensing enables dynamic subscription and recurring revenue models, expanding monetization opportunities and market reach. - Application Protection
Thales Sentinel Envelope technology secures high-value industrial software through advanced obfuscation and encryption, preventing reverse engineering and piracy.
Aicon Etalon’s hybrid licensing approach combines the reliability of hardware keys with the flexibility of cloud-based licensing, serving customers of all sizes with precision and consistency. “Using Sentinel’s single source of truth licensing system, we are well-positioned to continue scaling our software business securely and effectively,” pointed out Andreas Kahle, Director Technical Service & Support, Hexagon Aicon Etalon. “Migrating to Sentinel software licenses allowed us to streamline operations at scale,” highlighting the partnership’s impact on agility and trust,” added Kahle.
The Road Ahead: Unified Licensing Across Hexagon
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence plans to integrate Aicon Etalon’s systems into its enterprise-wide Thales Sentinel EMSaaS (Entitlement Management System as a Service) platform. This will enable portfolio monetization through cross-product bundling, centralized entitlement management, and automated monetization across Hexagon’s global software portfolio. By unifying entitlement management, Hexagon is building a scalable foundation for software monetization and usage insights, ensuring that its licensing evolves alongside its digital ambitions.
Summary
The collaboration between Hexagon Aicon Etalon and Thales Sentinel shows how industrial technology leaders can modernize and secure software operations through cloud-based licensing.
By automating entitlement management and strengthening software protection, Hexagon Aicon Etalon laid the groundwork for long-term growth. Its transformation marks a shift from manual, hardware-driven protection to an agile, customer-centric, and scalable model — one built for the future of intelligent manufacturing. “Hexagon has seen success with Sentinel, and we’re pleased to be part of that,” reflects Kahle.