Karlsruhe, Germany – Wibu-Systems is empowering Japan-based PlantStream Inc. to secure its next-generation 3D CAD software and accelerate international expansion. By adopting CodeMeter technology, PlantStream protects its intellectual property, simplifies license management, and ensures seamless access for engineering teams worldwide.
PlantStream was founded in 2020 as a joint venture between Arent Inc. and Chiyoda Corporation, and since 2025 has operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Arent. Its 3D CAD system streamlines plant design workflows and introduces automatic pipe routing that can process around 1,000 pipes per minute, accelerating feasibility and front-end engineering design phases by up to 75%. The software has quickly attracted attention in oil & gas, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries for its ability to streamline workflows and support real-time collaboration.
With its global expansion, PlantStream faced the dual challenge of protecting intellectual property from unauthorized use and distributing licenses across organizations with diverse IT policies. Many clients resisted installing on-premises license servers, while others required offline access due to restricted connectivity.
To overcome these hurdles, PlantStream integrated Wibu-Systems’ CodeMeter suite. AxProtector .NET encrypts the C# application, preventing reverse engineering and tampering. A hybrid licensing model combines CmCloud, delivered via CodeMeter License Central and WebDepot for instant activation, with CmActLicense for file-based, offline-friendly use. CodeMeter License Reporting provides daily insights into feature usage, while integration with PlantStream’s ERP and CRM systems automates renewals, invoicing, and revenue recognition.
Kazuhisa Horita, Customer Success Manager at PlantStream, commented: “PlantStream is a 3D CAD software for plant design, which raised high expectations among domestic and international designers. With CodeMeter’s cloud licensing, we were able to track which features each prospective customer used during evaluations, allowing us to extend demos, provide additional seats, and optimize our pre-sales process. Looking ahead, we plan to leverage cloud caching to maintain offline access and ensure seamless workflows, even without connectivity.”
From Wibu-Systems’ perspective, the collaboration demonstrates the importance of adapting licensing models to different industrial realities. Tadashi Shiraki, Country Manager at WIBU-SYSTEMS K.K., noted: “We immediately recognized the disruptive potential of PlantStream and the need for a secure, flexible licensing framework to support its global rollout. By combining strong software protection with hybrid licensing and automated reporting, we helped ensure that PlantStream can confidently expand worldwide while safeguarding its intellectual property.”
The joint effort positions PlantStream as a trailblazer in plant engineering design and reinforces Wibu-Systems’ mission to deliver secure, adaptable licensing solutions for the industrial automation ecosystem.
