Setting different license levels for ArcGIS and FME with ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS

Summary

Currently, it is not possible to specify the ArcGIS license level at runtime for FME Desktop or Server. However, it is possible for FME and ArcGIS applications to use different ArcGIS license levels, by setting an environment variable and configuring a batch script.

Problem Description

FME and ArcGIS both utilize the same licence level that is configured in the ArcGIS Administrator. Some users have a limited supply of certain license levels and would like to specify which license to use at runtime, based on the required task.

Workaround

FME 2017.0 and Newer:

Although you cannot specify a particular ArcGIS license level at runtime for FME Desktop or Server, it is possible to configure a System Environment Variable and set the value with a batch script before an Esri or FME application opens.

1. Create the ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS system environment variable and set the value to Viewer, Editor, or Professional. This correlates with Basic, Standard, and Advanced license levels, respectively.

Please note that after this configuration change is made, FME Desktop or Server must be restarted for any changes to take effect. Esri ArcGIS applications installed to this machine will also reference this environment variable to set the license level. To override this value when an FME or ArcGIS application launches, see Step 2 below.

2. Create a new batch file in a text editor (e.g. start_ArcMap.bat) with the following contents, modified for your local directory and preferred license level. Possible values for ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS are Viewer, Editor, or Professional.

set ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS=Professional 
set path=%path%;C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.4\bin\ 
ArcMap.exe 

ArcMap must be launched with this batch file in order to consume the desired license level as specified. A similar script can be created for ArcCatalog, ArcScene, etc.

Note: This was verified with ArcGIS 10.4.1 and FME 2017.0 Build 17174

FME 2016.1 and Older:

While it is currently not possible to specify a particular ArcGIS license level at runtime for FME Desktop or Server, by setting a System Environment Variable and configuring a batch script, it is possible to set a particular ArcGIS license level before starting ArcMap or ArcCatalog.

1. Create the ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS system environment variable and set the value to Viewer, Editor, or Professional. This correlates with Basic, Standard, and Advanced license levels, respectively.

2. Start ArcGIS Administrator and click OK (this step is necessary for FME to register the value of the environment variable).

3. Start FME Desktop, or Start / Restart FME Server. FME should now use the ArcGIS license specified in Step 1.

4. Create a new batch file in a text editor (e.g. start_ArcMap.bat) with the following contents, modified for your local directory and preferred license level. Possible values for ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS are Viewer, Editor, or Professional.

set ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS=Professional 
set path=%path%;C:\Program Files (x86)\ArcGIS\Desktop10.4\bin\ 
ArcMap.exe 

5. ArcMap must be launched with this batch file in order to consume the desired license level as specified in Step 4. FME Desktop and Server will still respect the value set for the ESRI_SOFTWARE_CLASS in Step 1. A similar script can be created for ArcCatalog, ArcScene, etc.

Note: This was verified with ArcGIS 10.4.1 and FME 2016.1 Build 16494