Reason to install AutoCAD 2012 from a suite

Building Design Suite Premium/Ultimate 2012 doesn't license AutoCAD 2012

From Autodesk’s Knowledge base: TS17565918 and via Up and Ready

Issue

Your license server has AutoCAD 2012 and Building Design Suite 2012 network licenses.  Some of your workstations have have AutoCAD 2012 installed using the default AutoCAD product key (001D1).

When trying launch AutoCAD 2012 and you have run out of the base AutoCAD licenses, it will not license or cascade to the Building Design Suite 2012 Standard, Premium or Ultimate licenses.

You may receive the following errors:

Solution

In order to resolve this issue, install AutoCAD 2012 from the Building Design Suite media using the Building Design Suite 2012 Product Key. AutoCAD with the Building Design Suite Product key will be able to use a license from AutoCAD or the Building Design Suite license packages that are on the license server.

AutoCAD 2012 and AutoCAD 2012 in the Building Design Suite is not exactly the same.  The one in the Building Suite is slightly newer because is has some upgraded licensing components that affects license cascading. When starting the two versions you will also notice that the splash screens are different.

See also Cascade Licensing for Autodesk Products explained and Previous Version support for Autodesk Point products

JTB’s Process Monitor that is a module for JTB FlexReport makes it possible to monitor not only if the suit license is used but also what product is used, when, and how many hours. Process Monitor can also monitor most single-licensed Windows applications like AutoCAD LT, Microsoft Project, MS Office, etc.

Process Monitor has also the option to show a dialog box like below when a user starts any application specified to be monitored. This will save a project with the database transaction so it eventually will be possible to report on.