Differentiating SIMATIC PDM Integration in STEP 7-PCS 7 vs SIMATIC PDM PCS 7 Software

The key difference between 'SIMATIC PDM Integration in STEP 7/PCS 7' (6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5) and 'SIMATIC PDM Software PCS 7' (6ES7658-3LD58-0YA5) is that PDM Software PCS 7 is a complete, standalone engineering base package, whereas PDM Integration is merely an add-on option. PDM Software PCS 7 contains the full application suite: PDM Basic, PDM Extended, Integration in STEP 7/PCS 7, S7 Routing, Communication Foundation, and a 100-TAG runtime license. Conversely, PDM Integration is an add-on package intended only for users who already possess standalone PDM Basic and wish to embed it into SIMATIC Manager.

Functional Overview of SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager)

SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager) is a universal, manufacturer-neutral tool for configuring, parameterizing, commissioning, and diagnosing intelligent field instruments (transmitters, actuators, analyzers) communicating over HART, PROFIBUS DP, PROFIBUS PA, and Foundation Fieldbus (FF).

In SIMATIC PCS 7, PDM can be executed as a standalone application on service laptops or fully integrated into the central Engineering Station (ES) to enable plant-wide parameterization directly through S7-400 controller routing.

Detailed Analysis: SIMATIC PDM Software PCS 7 (Base Package)

The product SIMATIC PDM, SOFTWARE PCS 7 (e.g. V9.0 6ES7658-3LD58-0YA5 or V8.1 6ES7658-3LD18-0YA5) is the complete, all-in-one software license engineered for PCS 7 Engineering Stations. It bundles:

SIMATIC PDM Basic: Core parameterization and Electronic Device Description (EDD) interpretation engine.
SIMATIC PDM Extended: Advanced reporting, calibration logs, and project export utilities.
SIMATIC PDM Integration in STEP 7 / PCS 7: Embeds PDM directly inside SIMATIC Manager, HW Config, and Plant View.
SIMATIC PDM Routing: Enables communication from the ES across Industrial Ethernet, through S7-400 CPUs, DP/PA links, down to field instruments.
100 TAG License: Includes base authorization for up to 100 intelligent field devices.

Detailed Analysis: SIMATIC PDM Integration in STEP 7/PCS 7 (Add-On)

The product SIMATIC PDM, SOFTWARE INTEGRATION IN STEP 7/PCS 7 (e.g. 6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5) is strictly an optional functional expansion:

It is designed for engineers who already own a standalone license (e.g., SIMATIC PDM Basic or SIMATIC PDM Service) and wish to upgrade their standalone software to embed within the SIMATIC Manager project tree.
Ordering only 6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5 on a new Engineering Station without a base PDM license will result in licensing errors, because the core PDM engine, device libraries, and routing drivers are completely missing.

Tag Counting Rules and Device Sizing Structure

In SIMATIC PDM, every physical field instrument configured with an Electronic Device Description (EDD) consumes 1 PDM TAG:

1 HART temperature transmitter = 1 PDM TAG.
1 PROFIBUS PA control valve positioner = 1 PDM TAG.
When plant instrument count exceeds the initial 100 TAG allocation included in 6ES7658-3LDxx-0YA5, engineers must order SIMATIC PDM TAG Expansion Packs (e.g., 100 TAGs 6ES7658-3XC00-2YB5, 1,000 TAGs 6ES7658-3XD00-2YB5).

Procurement Comparison Matrix: PDM Packages and Options

The table below details component scope and order numbers for SIMATIC PDM:

Software PackageSiemens Order Number (MLFB)License CategoryIncluded ComponentsIntended Application TargetSIMATIC PDM PCS 7 (Complete)6ES7658-3LD58-0YA5Floating LicenseBasic, Extended, Integration, Routing + 100 TAGsNew PCS 7 Engineering Station (Standard)SIMATIC PDM Integration (Option)6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5Single LicenseIntegration driver only (No PDM Basic)Add-on to existing standalone PDM BasicSIMATIC PDM Basic (Standalone)6ES7658-3AX58-0YA5Floating LicenseBasic engine + 4 TAGs (No Integration)Standalone field maintenance laptopSIMATIC PDM TAG Expansion (100)6ES7658-3XC00-2YB5Add-on License+100 Field Device TAGsCapacity expansion beyond 100 devicesSIMATIC PDM TAG Expansion (1000)6ES7658-3XD00-2YB5Add-on License+1,000 Field Device TAGsLarge-scale plant instrument expansion

Verification

Verify PDM license validity in Automation License Manager (ALM):

Open ALM on the Engineering Station; verify keys for SIMATIC PDM PCS 7, Integration in STEP 7/PCS 7, and PDM Routing show status Valid.
Open SIMATIC Manager, select View > Process Device Plant View.
In HW Config, double-click a HART or PROFIBUS PA field instrument.
Verify that SIMATIC PDM launches seamlessly within the STEP 7 shell, opening the instrument parameter view.
Execute a diagnostic read (Device > Read from Device); confirm live parameters upload from the field device.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Observe the following commercial and operational safeguards:

Commercial Procurement Guardrail: Sizing PDM requires exact manufacturer documentation. Never order 6ES7658-3BXxx-2YB5 for a new ES station; always specify the complete package 6ES7658-3LDxx-0YA5 and verify against the Siemens Industry Mall.
TAG Exceeded Warnings: If the number of field devices in the project exceeds the licensed TAG count, PDM operates in demo mode, restricting online write and calibration capabilities.
EDD Device Library Updates: Always install the official Siemens PDM Device Library (Device Catalog) DVD to ensure device description profiles match installed field sensor revisions.

Engineer FAQ

Can I buy only 'SIMATIC PDM Integration' (6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5) for my new PCS 7 Engineering Station?

No. 6ES7658-3BX58-2YB5 is an option package that requires an existing PDM Basic license. For a new Engineering Station, you must order the complete base package 'SIMATIC PDM Software PCS 7' (6ES7658-3LD58-0YA5).

What constitutes 1 TAG in SIMATIC PDM licensing?

Every physical field device (e.g. pressure transmitter, temperature sensor, positioner, radar level gauge) configured in the PDM project tree consumes exactly 1 PDM TAG.

Does SIMATIC PDM Software PCS 7 include S7 routing to field instruments?

Yes. The base package 6ES7658-3LD58-0YA5 includes the 'PDM Routing' option, allowing the ES to route across Industrial Ethernet through S7-400 CPUs to PROFIBUS and HART devices.