Automating License Inventories via SIMATIC Management Console and ALM

While Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM) does not provide a public command-line interface to export license lists, you can automate and centralize license inventories across all network stations using the SIMATIC Management Console (SMMC). The SMMC utility is provided on the SIMATIC PCS 7 installation media DVD and does not require a software license to collect and export inventory data (installed SIMATIC software, service packs, and ALM license keys). In SMMC, configure a network scan, determine inventory data, and export the complete license overview directly into Microsoft Excel or CSV format.

Automation License Manager CLI Limitations and Binary Storage

System administrators and automation engineers frequently seek command-line utilities (e.g. batch files or PowerShell scripts) to export lists of installed Siemens license keys on local drive C: to support automated IT auditing, disaster recovery, or compliance tracking.

In Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM):

The ALM application (almapp.exe / almapp64.exe) does not provide command-line switches to output the license table to text or CSV files without user interaction.
Local license keys are stored in a hidden, system-protected folder (C:\AX NF ZZ\) as encrypted binary license containers with cryptographic hardware hashes. Direct file system parsing without the ALM database engine is unsupported and triggers license corruption flags.
While the ALM GUI provides License Key -> Export..., this requires interactive manual operation on each individual computer.

SIMATIC Management Console (SMMC) License Inventory Capabilities

To resolve plant-wide inventory challenges, Siemens developed the SIMATIC Management Console (SMMC) (6ES7658-4XX58-0YG8), included on the PCS 7 installation media DVD under Additional_Products\SIMATIC_Management_Console\.

Crucial Commercial Licensing Fact:

The SIMATIC Management Console does not require a license to determine or export inventory data.

An SMMC license is only required if the console is used for active central software package distribution or remote firmware updates. Using SMMC for passive inventory functions—including scanning all ES, OS Servers, OS Clients, discovering installed SIMATIC software, detecting applied hotfixes, and exporting license key counts—is completely free of charge.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Collect and Export License Inventories

Follow this sequence to establish automated, centralized license tracking across your PCS 7 plant:

Install SMMC Agent and Console:
- Install the SMMC master application on your Engineering Station or dedicated maintenance PC.
- Ensure the lightweight SIMATIC Management Agent is installed on all target PCS 7 computers (installed by default with PCS 7).
Add Network Computers to SMMC:
- Open SIMATIC Management Console.
- Right-click Network and select Add Computer... or scan the local subnet.
- Group computers by plant areas (e.g. OS Servers, OS Clients, Engineering Stations).
Determine Inventory Data:
- Right-click the network node or target computer group and select Determine Inventory Data....
- Select the checkbox: License keys (along with Installed software and Hardware if desired).
- Click Start. The console queries the ALM service across all machines in the background.
Export License Overview:
- In the console tree, navigate to Inventory Data -> License Keys.
- Click Export....
- Choose the export format: Microsoft Excel (*.xlsx) or Comma-Separated Values (*.csv).
- The generated report details: Machine Name, License Name, Product Version, License Type (Floating/Single), License Number, and Count.

Automated License Auditing and Inventory Tools Matrix

The following table compares methods for auditing Siemens software licenses across an automation facility:

Auditing MethodAutomation LevelTarget ScopeLicensing RequirementOutput FormatSIMATIC Management Console (SMMC)High (Scheduled / Centralized)Entire network (ES, OS, Clients)Free of Charge (No license needed)Excel (*.xlsx), CSVALM GUI Manual ExportLow (Interactive manual)Single local computer onlyIncluded with ALMCSV fileDirect C:\AX NF ZZ\ InspectionForbiddenLocal diskN/A (Encrypted binary)Corrupts licenses if touchedSMMC Central Software DeploymentHigh (Remote deployment)Entire networkRequires SMMC License (6ES7658-4XX58-0YG8)Deployment log

[!NOTE]
Commercial Accuracy Notice: Distinguish passive inventory reporting (free of charge) from central software deployment > licensing (6ES7658-4XX58-0YG8). Distinguish floating licenses (stored on server/ES and assigned dynamically) from single/local > node-locked licenses. Always validate final license quantities against authorized Siemens distributor quotations.

Verification

Verify successful license inventory collection and report generation:

SMMC Inventory Status: In SIMATIC Management Console, confirm that the inventory status for all target computers displays a green checkmark indicating successful communication.
Exported Spreadsheet Audit: Open the exported .xlsx file. Verify that critical PCS 7 runtime licenses (e.g. OS RT PO, AS RT PO, WinCC Server, S7-SCL) appear with correct license counts matching physical plant assets.
Discrepancy Check: Compare the exported totals against your facility's software certificate records to identify missing or uninstalled floating licenses.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Adhere to these operational boundaries when managing license data:

*Never Touch C:\AX NF ZZ*: Do not attempt to read, write, copy, or defragment the hidden directory C:\AX NF ZZ\ using Windows scripts or file utilities, as modifying directory timestamps invalidates cryptographic license tokens.
Firewall and DCOM Ports: Ensure the SIMATIC Management Agent communication port (TCP 5001 / DCOM) is allowed through Windows Defender Firewall on all client stations.
Network Availability: Run scheduled inventory collections during periods of standard plant operation; SMMC generates negligible network traffic on the Terminal Bus.

Engineer FAQ

Can I run a script against Automation License Manager to export licenses?

No. ALM does not provide a command-line interface for CSV exports. Use the SIMATIC Management Console for centralized and automated license reporting.

Do I have to buy a license to use SIMATIC Management Console for inventory?

No. Passive inventory functions (determining installed software, hardware, and license keys) are completely free of charge. A license is only needed for central software updates and remote installation.

Where can I find the installer for SIMATIC Management Console?

SMMC is located on the official SIMATIC PCS 7 installation media DVD under the folder Additional_Products\SIMATIC_Management_Console\.

What happens if an industrial PC is turned off during an SMMC scan?

SMMC marks that computer with a yellow warning icon indicating 'Communication failed'. The console updates that machine's data as soon as it powers back on.