Using Cloud License to work from home – Benefits and Guide

Moving your license from Dongle to Cloud has several potential benefits for a user, who would like to work remotely. With Cloud License, it will be possible to launch Dental System from home or another workplace without the need to connect to a remote dongle. 

Benefits of moving to Cloud License

• No hardware dongle required — license is checked out over the network/cloud.
• Instant remote seat - start working instantly on every PC with Dental System.
   

To start working from home using Cloud License, it is important to prepare several things in advance: 

✔ Cloud License subscription issued to your Lab (normally migrated from dongle).
✔3Shape account instance where your cloud subscription is migrated/assigned.
✔Same Dental System version at Home as at Lab (required when cloning/mirroring settings).
✔ Home PC should meet or exceed DS system requirements (CPU/GPU/RAM, storage, OS).
✔ Stable internet connection for Cloud License & Communicate account.
✔ System should be configured according to DS Firewall Rules

Step 1: Migrate Lab Dongle to Cloud License 

All the information related to the migration process can be found in Knowledge Base article below: 

• Dental System Cloud License Migration Process
• Additional video showing the migration process  

Step 2: Prepare the Home PC

1. Verify specs of your Home PC to match the System Requirements for 3Shape Dental System 
2. Make sure your firewall rules are configured according to Firewall Rules for Dental System 
3. Install Dental System as a Standalone. For the installation process, follow How to perform a fresh installation of 3Shape Dental System 
4. Match the Lab’s Materials/Libraries. Choose one of the following:

Option A — Clone System:

• At the Lab, open Control Panel →Tools → Import/Export → Clone System and export the Dental System image with DB and materials,
• On Home PC, during Custom Installation, choose Clone System and load the file.
• Important: Dental System version of the installer at home should match the one the system is cloned from.

Option B — Fresh install + Materials import:

• After installation, use Control Panel → Tools → Download Center to get additional libraries/manuals.
• If you have exported necessary materials from your Lab PC or have DMEs of your manufacturers, you can import them on Home PC (Control Panel → Tools → Import/Export → Import materials.
• For more info see Dental System Technical Documentation: 3.4.3. Download Center, 3.4.2. Import/Export.

Option C — Setting up order conversion.

• If an incoming order uses unknown materials, DS prompts you to map to local equivalents and can remember conversion rules.
• For more info see Dental System Technical Documentation: 2.1.4.4. Order Import

Note: to access Dental System Technical Documentation press F1 in the main Dental Manager window and select “Technical Documentation”

Step 3: Link Home PC to your Cloud License subscription:

Sign in with 3Shape Account where Cloud License is migrated (same account you use in the Lab). You can check your subscription status in Dental System Control Panel → Tools → Subscription Management

Step 4: Connect the Lab and Home PC

The best way to set up the send/receive process between Lab and Home Lab is 3Shape Communicate, the most convenient method for case exchange. For this each side needs to have its own Communicate account, even though one and the same account will be used for cloud license. For more info on this topic, see 3Shape Account in Dental System and Unite: Best practices, section “What to do if I am sending to myself (from Unite to Dental System)?” 

Enable Communicate on both sides.

• For Both Lab and Home PC: Control Panel -> Tools -> 3Shape Communicate -> Integration.
• Add each other under Site Settings → Labs/Dentists.
• For more info see Dental System Technical Documentation: 3.4.5. 3Shape Communicate®

Step 5: Send Cases Between Lab and Home PC

Create & send from Lab → Home or vice versa:

1. In Dental Manager (Lab or Home) create/modify the order.
2. Set External Lab on Home or Lab PC in the Order Form.
3. Right‑click order -> 3Shape Communicate → Send to External Lab.
4. Home/Lab PC accepts in Communicate Inbox and opens for design.
   See Dental System Technical Documentation: 2.1.6.1. Sending Orders from the Lab for a detailed Send/Receive process description. 
    

Step 6: CAM Generation

Centralized CAM at the Lab is the most 

• Home PC designs and send orders/designs back for milling.
• The lab accepts the order in the Communicate Inbox, processes it, generates  CAM Output, and sends the design for milling/printing.
• It is important to keep materials and libraries aligned between both versions – or set up appropriate material conversion rules for this approach.

Cloud license in the Dental System provides definite benefits when working from home. With your remote design seat set up correctly, you can design confidently from anywhere while maintaining centralized and secure production.