How to Troubleshoot 'Call SIMATIC PDM' Failures from PCS 7 Maintenance Station Screens

To resolve the issue where the 'Call SIMATIC PDM' button on PCS 7 Maintenance Station (MS) diagnostic faceplates is disabled or fails to launch SIMATIC PDM, engineers must verify project hierarchy settings, PDM Asset Service execution, and operator permissions. In SIMATIC Manager, the Technological Hierarchy (TH) project settings must have 'Derive diagnostic screens from the technological hierarchy' enabled with the Maintenance Station type set to 'Maintenance Station Standard' or 'Maintenance Station PDM'. Furthermore, on the target Maintenance Station PC, the 'SIMATIC PDM Asset Service' must be actively running in Windows Services, the field instrument's EDD must be assigned in PDM Process Device Plant View, and the logged-on WinCC user must possess User Authorization level 1101 ('Asset Management - Advanced').

Prerequisites for SIMATIC PDM Integration into Maintenance Station

The SIMATIC PCS 7 Maintenance Station (MS) provides comprehensive plant asset management, displaying the health of controllers, network infrastructure, remote I/O, and intelligent field instruments.

When viewing a field instrument's diagnostic faceplate (e.g., a HART or PROFIBUS-PA transmitter), the operator faceplate features a dedicated command button: 'Call SIMATIC PDM'. Clicking this button invokes the SIMATIC PDM parameterization interface directly from WinCC Runtime, allowing instrument technicians to inspect sensor diagnostics, calibrate zero/span, and analyze echo curves.

If this button is greyed out, unresponsive, or throws execution errors, it indicates a breakdown in one of four prerequisite layers:
1. Incorrect Maintenance Station derivation profile in SIMATIC Manager.
2. Inactive or unconfigured SIMATIC PDM Asset Service on the MS client/server.
3. Insufficient WinCC user privileges assigned to the active operator.
4. Missing device synchronization between HW Config and the PDM Process Device Plant View.

Technological Hierarchy and Maintenance Station Type Configuration

The diagnostic screen generation engine must be correctly configured to bind PDM calls to diagnostic faceplates:

In SIMATIC Manager on the Engineering Station, navigate to Options -> Plant Hierarchy -> Customize.
Select the Diagnostic Screens tab:
* Verify that 'Derive diagnostic screens from the technological hierarchy' is checked.
* Verify the Maintenance Station Type:
- Maintenance Station Standard: Full MS functionality including electronic logbooks, maintenance requests, and PDM device calls.
- Maintenance Station PDM: Lightweight MS configuration focused primarily on field instrument diagnostics and PDM launching.
- Note: If 'Maintenance Station Basic' is selected, PDM integration is suppressed.
Execute Create/Update Diagnostic Screens.
Perform an OS compilation for the Maintenance Station OS project.

Verifying SIMATIC PDM Asset Service and DCOM Communications

The bridge between WinCC Runtime faceplates and the SIMATIC PDM standalone application is the SIMATIC PDM Asset Service:

On the Maintenance Station workstation, open Windows Services (services.msc).
Locate the service SIMATIC PDM Asset Service:
* Status must be Running.
* Startup Type must be set to Automatic.
If the service is stopped or fails to start:
* Open the service properties and ensure the logon identity is set to LocalSystem or an administrative account belonging to SIMATIC HMI and SIMATIC NET.
* Check Windows Event Viewer -> Application log for DCOM permission violations.
Run the Siemens Security Controller to ensure DCOM access and launch permissions are granted to WinCC and PDM runtime executables.

User Rights and Plant View Field Device Synchronization

Even with valid services and hierarchy configurations, two final prerequisites must be satisfied:

1. WinCC User Authorization Levels

In WinCC Explorer on the Maintenance Station, open the User Administrator:
* The logged-on runtime operator must be assigned:
* Authorization 1100: Asset Management - Standard (View diagnostics).
* Authorization 1101: Asset Management - Advanced (Execute maintenance commands and launch external tools like SIMATIC PDM).
Without Authorization 1101, the 'Call SIMATIC PDM' button remains permanently greyed out.

2. Device Link in PDM Plant View

The field instrument must be properly synchronized between HW Config and SIMATIC PDM:
* In SIMATIC Manager, switch to Process Device Plant View.
* Ensure the field device is assigned to the correct plant hierarchy folder matching the diagnostic faceplate.
* Open the device in PDM on the ES to confirm that the Electronic Device Description (EDD) is assigned and communicates without errors.

Maintenance Station and PDM Diagnostic Component Matrix

The following table outlines the diagnostic components, services, and required configurations for PDM faceplate launching:

Component / SettingLocation / ServicePurposeCommon Fault / IndicatorMaintenance Station TypeTH Project SettingsSelects MS profile (Standard vs Basic)Set to Basic; PDM button disabledSIMATIC PDM Asset ServiceWindows services.mscIPC bridge between WinCC and PDMService stopped; button click does nothingUser Authorization 1101WinCC User AdministratorAuthorizes PDM tool executionButton visible but greyed outProcess Device Plant ViewSIMATIC ManagerLinks HW address to PDM device recordDevice not found; PDM opens blank screenSIMATIC PDM MS LicenseAutomation License ManagerLicensing entitlement for MS PDM integrationLicense missing; error prompt in runtime

Verifying these settings ensures reliable one-click access to field instrument parameterization.

Verification

To verify that the 'Call SIMATIC PDM' functionality operates correctly:
1. Log onto the Maintenance Station runtime with a user account possessing Authorization 1101.
2. In the Maintenance Station picture hierarchy, navigate to a field instrument diagnostic faceplate (e.g., HART pressure transmitter).
3. Confirm that the 'Call SIMATIC PDM' button is active (not greyed out).
4. Click the button; verify that the SIMATIC PDM parameterization window opens within 5 to 10 seconds.
5. Confirm that PDM connects online to the instrument and reads dynamic process values and device status without communication errors.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Launching SIMATIC PDM from an OS client requires the PDM client component or SIMATIC PDM standalone installation on that specific client workstation.
Simultaneous PDM online sessions to the same field instrument from multiple clients are locked to prevent concurrent parameter conflicts.
Do not perform device firmware downloads or extensive factory resets via PDM while the associated plant section is in active production.
Ensure all field device EDD versions on the Maintenance Station match the revisions installed on the Engineering Station.

Engineer FAQ

Why is the Maintenance Station Standard option disabled in Plant Hierarchy settings?

Maintenance Station Standard requires an installed PCS 7 Maintenance Station license package and an OS project configured with the server type 'Maintenance Station'. If only a standard OS server is configured, the option may be unavailable.

Can I call SIMATIC PDM from a standard operator OS Client instead of a Maintenance Station?

Yes, provided the OS Client has the PDM software installed, the user has authorization 1101, and the PDM Asset Service is running on the client.

What license is required on the Maintenance Station for PDM integration?

The station requires a valid SIMATIC PDM Maintenance Station license (e.g., SIMATIC PDM MS) in Automation License Manager, scaled according to TAG count.