DAQFactory FAQ

Answers to the questions we hear most about DAQFactory: pricing and licensing, the free trial, system requirements, supported devices and building applications. Can't find your answer? Contact us.

Pricing and licensing

Is DAQFactory a subscription?

No. Every DAQFactory license is a one-time purchase. There are no subscriptions and no maintenance fees.

How much does DAQFactory cost?

Development licenses are Lite: $299, Base: $599, Pro: $1199, and Developer: $3599. DAQFactory Express is free. Runtime licenses are $189.

What's the difference between Express, Lite, Base, Pro and Developer?

They are the same program with different features enabled. Express (free) allows 8 channels, 2 screens and 10 screen components. Lite ($299) allows 32 channels, unlimited screens, email and FTP. Base ($599) adds PID loops and 64 channels. Pro ($1199) adds unlimited channels, ODBC database logging, alarming, networking features, Modbus slave, advanced analysis functions for scripts and the Symbol Factory image library. Developer ($3599) is Pro plus royalty-free runtimes and the hardware key. See the pricing table.

What counts as a channel (tag)?

A channel is one input or output point, also called a tag. Variables and calculations don't count toward the limit; only I/O channels do.

What is a Runtime license?

A Runtime license runs a finished application with full data acquisition, logging, control and screens, but can't edit it: no changing channels, screen components or scripts. It's for deployed systems where operators shouldn't modify the application.

How much is a Runtime license?

$189 per computer, for applications built with any edition except Express, and it works with all DAQFactory releases. With Developer you don't have to buy Runtime licenses for documents you create with it.

What is DAQFactory Developer?

DAQFactory Pro plus royalty-free runtimes. Documents you save with Developer carry their own runtime license, linked to your Developer license, so you don't have to buy a Runtime license for each computer you install them on. It includes the hardware key. It's a one-time purchase like every DAQFactory license, with no subscription. If you'll deploy 13 or more systems, it costs less than Pro plus a Runtime license for each. See DAQFactory Developer.

Do I need a separate license for each computer?

Yes. You need a license for each computer running DAQFactory at the same time. A development license can be moved between computers with the hardware key option (see below). With DAQFactory Developer, each runtime installation still needs a license, but it's built into the document you create with Developer, so you don't have to buy one.

Can I develop on one computer and deploy with Runtime licenses?

Yes. Keep your development license in the office, build the application there, and install it on each site computer with a Runtime license.

Are upgrades to new releases free?

Yes. There is no upgrade fee for new releases. Install the new release over your existing copy; you don't need to uninstall first or unlock again, and you keep your license.

Are there any annual fees at all?

No. No subscriptions, no maintenance fees, no annual support fees.

Can I move my license to a new computer?

Yes. In DAQFactory on the old computer, choose Tools > Remove Development License, then unlock the new computer with your key. Remove the license before uninstalling. Runtime licenses can't be moved.

What if my computer crashes or I reformat the drive?

Just unlock DAQFactory on the rebuilt or new computer with your key; the crash already removed the old license. Keys have a use limit; if you reach it, contact us to reset it, but remember each license is for one computer at a time. Just because you can reuse the key does not mean you can install DAQFactory on multiple computers at the same time with one license.

What is the hardware key option?

A thumb-sized USB key that holds your development license, so you can move it between computers just by moving the key. It's ideal if you visit many Runtime installations and occasionally need to edit on site. It's $125, with free shipping, and included with DAQFactory Developer. You can purchase the hardware key option here.

Does the computer need an internet connection to unlock DAQFactory?

No. With internet, use Online Unlock. Without it, use Manual Unlock and get the unlock code from www.azeotech.com/unlock.html on any other device, or contact us.

Does DAQFactory need to stay connected to the internet?

No, DAQFactory does not require an internet connection. You will require an internet connection somewhere to license DAQFactory, but it does not have to be on the same computer.

Can I upgrade to a higher edition later?

Yes. Upgrades are sold in the shop: Lite to Base: $330, Lite to Pro: $995, Base to Pro: $665, and Pro to Developer: $2660.

Do you offer volume, OEM or system-integrator pricing?

Yes, contact us for quantity pricing of development licenses. We do not offer special pricing to system integrators except quantity purchases of development licenses.

Do you offer academic or educational discounts?

Yes, but only if DAQFactory is being used in a teaching environment like a classroom or teaching lab. We do not offer a discount when used in a research lab, even if it is part of an academic institution.

How do I buy DAQFactory?

Online at shop.azeotech.com. We also accept purchase orders from companies in the United States; email support@azeotech.com.

How quickly do I get my license key after buying?

Usually within one business day by email. Because fraudsters have tried to use our shop to test stolen credit cards we now process all orders manually.

What is your refund policy?

We do not offer refunds once a key has been emailed. The DAQFactory trial is essentially fully functional for 25 days so you should be able to determine whether it will work for you in that time. If you need an extension to the trial to be sure, simply contact us.

Can I buy a license for an older release, like 19.1?

New development license keys only work on release 20 and later. Licenses for releases through 19.2 are sold separately in the shop: Lite: $399, Base: $699, and Pro: $1299. Runtime licenses work with all releases.

The free trial and DAQFactory Express

Is there a free trial?

Yes. Download DAQFactory and you get a fully functional 25-day trial of DAQFactory Pro. No sign-up or email address is required.

What are the trial's limits?

Only two: just the first image in each symbol library category is available, and documents created in the trial won't run in DAQFactory Runtime.

What happens when the 25-day trial ends?

The installed DAQFactory trial can continue to run as the free DAQFactory Express, and you can unlock it as a paid edition at any time.

Can I extend the trial?

Contact us and we can usually extend it.

Will I lose my work when I buy?

No. We send an unlock key that converts your trial into a licensed copy; there's nothing new to download.

Can I run an application I built in the trial under a Runtime license?

Not directly: documents created in the trial (or Express) can't be opened under a Runtime license. You will need to open and save the document with a licensed development copy first, and it will then run under Runtime.

Is DAQFactory Express really free?

Yes. Express is the same DAQFactory program, limited to 8 channels, 2 screens and a smaller set of screen components, and it's free.

Can I use DAQFactory Express for commercial work?

Yes and no, you can use it yourself for any purpose, within its limits, but you are not licensed to distribute Express yourself. So, for example, if you are an OEM, you cannot distribute DAQFactory Express for free with your product. If you wish to do something like this, just contact us. We are usually quite happy to have your customers experience DAQFactory.

Where do I download DAQFactory Express?

It's in the same download as DAQFactory. After installing, start it from the DF Express shortcut in the Windows Start menu, or click the Express button on the trial window.

Can I upgrade from Express to a paid edition without starting over?

Yes. Applications built in Express work in every other edition of DAQFactory.

Computers and operating systems

Which versions of Windows does DAQFactory support?

Windows 10, Windows 11 and newer, 32-bit or 64-bit.

Does DAQFactory run on Windows Server?

Yes, Windows Server 2016 and later.

Can I run DAQFactory in a virtual machine?

Yes, but note that every concurrent virtual machine instance requires its own license. Also note that networking, serial ports and USB devices must be passed through to the virtual machine.

Does DAQFactory run on Mac or Linux?

No. DAQFactory is Windows software. Some users run it on a Mac in a Windows virtual machine such as Parallels but we do not offer support for this.

Does DAQFactory run on a Raspberry Pi or other ARM devices?

Maybe. Hardware capabilities are constantly changing. If you can run a full version of Windows on the device, it probably will run DAQFactory. Test it with the trial before purchase.

What hardware does DAQFactory need?

Any computer that runs Windows 10 or newer, 200 MB of disk space, and enough memory for Windows plus about 100 MB. A display of 1024×768 or larger is recommended.

Can DAQFactory start automatically when the computer boots?

Yes. Create a shortcut to DAQFactory with your document name and put it in the Windows Startup folder; it can open straight into Runtime mode, full screen if you like. DAQFactory is a user application though and cannot be run as a service.

Does DAQFactory support touchscreens and multiple monitors?

Yes. Many users use a touchscreen and multiple monitors with DAQFactory.

Can I make my application in another language?

Yes. DAQFactory has tools for multilingual applications, and you can switch the language while it's running. You supply the translations. DAQFactory does not currently support all character sets, so test before purchase.

Devices, protocols and connectivity

What hardware can DAQFactory talk to?

Serial and Ethernet devices (RS-232/422/485, TCP, UDP), Modbus RTU/TCP/ASCII, Ethernet/IP, Allen-Bradley DF1, any OPC-DA or OPC-UA server, LabJack, and almost any device that comes with a DLL library from its manufacturer. You can also write your own protocol for any other device.

Does DAQFactory support Modbus?

Yes. Modbus RTU, TCP and ASCII as master in all editions, and as a slave in Pro, so other systems can read data from DAQFactory.

Does DAQFactory support Ethernet/IP (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix)?

Ethernet/IP support was added in release 21.1.

Can DAQFactory talk to Allen-Bradley, Siemens or other PLCs?

Allen-Bradley via Ethernet/IP or DF1; most other PLCs through Modbus or an OPC server.

Does DAQFactory support OPC UA?

DAQFactory is both an OPC-DA and OPC-UA client.

Which LabJack devices are supported?

All current LabJack devices: U3, U6, UE9, T4, T7, T8 and others. The U12 is supported with some limits.

Does DAQFactory support other DAQ hardware, like Measurement Computing or National Instruments?

Yes, some, but contact us if you need to use these devices.

Can DAQFactory call web services or REST APIs?

Yes. Scripts can make HTTP GET and POST requests (HTTP.Get and HTTP.Post) and read and write JSON, in DAQFactory Pro.

Can DAQFactory log to a database?

Yes. DAQFactory Pro logs to and queries any ODBC database, including Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle and Access. All editions log to CSV/text and binary files.

How many I/O points can DAQFactory handle?

Up to 8 channels in Express, 32 in Lite, 64 in Base and unlimited in Pro. While there is no fixed limit in Pro, DAQFactory is really designed for smaller systems, under, say, 10,000 tags, and works best under 1000 tags unless you use DAQFactory's object-oriented (OOP) features.

Building applications

Do I need to be a programmer to use DAQFactory?

No. Channels, screens, graphs, logging and alarms are all set up by filling in property windows. Scripting is there when you want more, and it uses a familiar structured-text style.

Can I change my application while it's running?

Yes. Unlike most HMI/SCADA packages, you can add screens, graphs and logic without stopping and rebuilding the application, so there's no downtime.

What screen components are included?

32 screen components (10 in Express): gauges, knobs, sliders, buttons, switches, graphs, panels, images and more. Pro also includes the Symbol Factory library of over 5,000 industrial images.

What kinds of graphs can I make?

Trend (value vs. time), XY and 3D graphs, with unlimited traces on up to 12 axes, error bars, wind barbs and calculations entered right into the graph.

Can DAQFactory do PID control?

Yes. Base and Pro include unlimited PID loops with autotuning.

Can DAQFactory send email or text alerts?

Yes. Lite and above can send email, with attachments, from alarms or scripts. For text messages, most users send email to their carrier's email-to-SMS address.

Does DAQFactory have alarming?

Yes, in Pro: acknowledgeable alarms with logging, email notification, and automatic responses through scripts.

Can I view my DAQFactory screens from a web browser or phone?

DAQFactory is a SCADA tool that connects directly to physical hardware. Accessing it directly from a phone or external web browser has many complicated security issues for these types of systems and must be handled carefully. It is usually best to setup DAQFactory to push data, or screens to a separate, external server that then allows external access. DAQFactory's various networking features can help with this.

Can I protect screens or settings with passwords or user logins?

You can password-protect a document so end users can't switch to development mode. With script in runtime mode you can control who can access what page within an application.

Can DAQFactory print reports or make PDFs?

DAQFactory can print directly to a basic PDF without Acrobat installed.

Versions and upgrades

What is the current version?

DAQFactory 21.1.

I'm upgrading from release 19.2 or earlier. What do I need to know?

Release 20 changed the screen components significantly. Please read the upgrade notes before upgrading.

Will my old DAQFactory applications open in the new release?

Yes, generally, with the exceptions in the upgrade notes. You should always test your application when upgrading, especially between major releases.

Where can I get an older release?

On the Previous releases page, for existing licensed systems that need to stay on a particular version.

Support, services and company

What support do I get?

Free basic email and phone support from the developers who write DAQFactory, plus the user forum and the online User's Guide. Paid support and development services are also available if you need additional help.

How do I contact AzeoTech?

Email support@azeotech.com or call 541-512-4747 (Pacific time).

Is there a user community or forum?

Yes, at support.azeotech.com, with years of questions and answers.

Where's the documentation?

The complete User's Guide is online at help.azeotech.com and is also included in the download.

Do you offer training?

Yes: one-on-one training over remote desktop and phone, at any level, billed hourly.

Can you build my application for me?

Yes. AzeoTech builds complete DAQFactory applications, from simple data loggers to full systems, and can enhance or review existing ones.

Can you add a feature to DAQFactory that I need?

Yes. Custom features are added to the core product, often at a discount when other users will benefit too.

Who uses DAQFactory?

Tens of thousands of users worldwide, in aerospace (NASA, Boeing), agriculture (USDA), air quality research, water and wastewater, oil and gas, manufacturing, universities and more. See the customer list and case studies.

How long has AzeoTech been around?

Since 2001.

Where is AzeoTech based?

We are in the United States.