space.vars.productName, you need to activate your license before the portals will function. This guide explains how licensing works and how to manage it.
## How Licensing Works
space.vars.productName requires a valid license to operate. Your license is tied to your NetSuite account and determines which features are available and how many users can access the portals.
You should have received a license key from In8Sync when you purchased space.vars.productName. If you don't have one yet, contact In8Sync support.
## License types and how many you need
Not every user needs the same kind of NetSuite login. As a general rule:
* **Every physical register** needs a full NetSuite login, since a register is a person actively creating and updating records all shift.
* **Staff who only need occasional or view-only access** — checking an order, browsing a catalog, approving something — can often use a lighter, lower-cost login type instead of a full one.
The right mix keeps your NetSuite costs down while still giving every register what it needs. Talk to In8Sync or your NetSuite account team about which login type fits each person before you provision access — see [Give User Access](/client-admin-guide/managing-users/give-user-access.md).
## Activating Your License
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Sign in to NetSuite
Log in with your **Administrator** role.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Open the space.vars.productName Dashboard
Go to space.vars.productName **> Dashboard > Dashboard**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Open Licenses
On the left sidebar, go to **Settings > Licenses**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Enter and validate the license key
Paste the license key from In8Sync, then click **Validate License**. The system validates the key and shows the license status.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
## What success looks like
After validation, the Licenses page shows your license as active along with its tier and any feature flags it includes. The portals are now ready to serve users.
## Common issues
* **"License not found":** Double-check the license key was entered correctly and matches what In8Sync provided.
* **"License expired":** Contact In8Sync to renew your license.
* **"Feature not available":** The feature may not be included in your license tier. Contact In8Sync to discuss an upgrade.
* **Portal not loading after activation:** Check that the BRM Setting record exists and the license key is saved.
For more help, see [Troubleshooting](/netsuite-admin-guide/common-issues.md) or contact In8Sync support.
## Related Pages
| Initial Setup | The next step after activation: configure your first subsidiary and admin user. | Initial Setup |
| Settings · Licenses | License status, key management, and renewals. | Licenses |
| Common Issues | Quick fixes for typical license and access problems. | Troubleshooting |
| Set Up Your First Register | What comes after licensing, across all three guides. | Getting Started |