Language Independence of SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Licenses - Multilingual Support and Russian OS Options

In SIMATIC PCS 7, software licenses managed via Automation License Manager (ALM)—including licenses for OS Server, OS Engineering, BATCH Server, and BATCH Client—are fundamentally language-independent. Siemens does not manufacture or sell language-specific license packages (such as a 'Russian license' or 'German license'). Standard European and international PCS 7 software licenses unlock full runtime and engineering entitlements regardless of operating system or application language (the only exception being specialized 'Asia' license editions that utilize hardware dongles). To operate PCS 7 in Russian, facilities procure standard international PCS 7 licenses paired with the optional add-on package 'SIMATIC PCS 7 System Extension for Process Visualization in Russian' (SIOS Entry 35221749) for localized HMI displays.

Language-Independent Licensing Architecture in SIMATIC PCS 7

A frequent point of commercial and technical confusion for international automation projects concerns language-specific licensing. Engineering teams preparing plants for Eastern Europe or Central Asia frequently inquire about purchasing dedicated 'Russian language licenses' for their PCS 7 servers and clients.

Siemens AG enforces a unified, language-independent licensing architecture across all core PCS 7 software packages. Whether an engineer installs the software on an English, German, or French workstation, the identical license keys (e.g., PCS 7 OS Software Server V8.2 or SIMATIC BATCH Server V8.2) validate and activate the installation through Automation License Manager (ALM). There are no distinct MLFBs for localized European license keys.

The Global License Policy vs Specialized Asia Editions

To understand the licensing structure across international deployments, engineers should observe Siemens' regional divisions:

Product Line / CategoryLanguage EntitlementLicense Enforcement MechanismRegional AvailabilityStandard PCS 7 Licenses (Global)Language-Independent (En, De, Fr, It, Sp, Ru)Pure software license key via ALMWorldwide (Europe, Americas, Middle East, CIS)PCS 7 Asia EditionsSimplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, JapaneseRequires specialized Hardware USB Dongle + ALM KeySpecifically restricted to Asian marketsRussian Visualization ExtensionRussian localized runtime interfaceCommercial add-on software packageOptional enhancement for OS Runtime

As confirmed by official Siemens licensing documentation, all standard European MLFBs support Cyrillic character sets and Russian runtime visualization without requiring regional licensing modifications.

Deploying Russian Language Support in PCS 7 OS Runtime

To deploy Russian language visualization on standard PCS 7 operator stations, execute the following technical workflow:

Procure Standard PCS 7 Licenses: Order standard international MLFBs for OS Engineering, OS Server, OS Client, and BATCH options. Transfer licenses to the target stations using Automation License Manager.
Install Russian System Extension: Acquire and install the 'SIMATIC PCS 7 System Extension for Process Visualization in Russian' (SIOS Entry ID 35221749). This package installs localized Cyrillic system dialogs, standard faceplate labels, and alarm logging text headers.
Configure Multilingual Project Languages: In SIMATIC Manager, select Options -> Language for Display Devices. Add Russian to the list of project display languages.
Export and Translate via Text Distributor: Open WinCC Explorer. Use the Text Distributor tool to export all static graphics texts, alarm texts, and picture titles into Excel files. Provide Russian Cyrillic translations and re-import the text tables.
Enable Runtime Language Switching: In WinCC Graphics Designer, configure a language switch button invoking standard C-action SetLanguage(0x0419) (where 0x0419 represents the Russian locale ID).

Verification

Verify license validity and multilingual runtime behavior using these checks:

ALM License Audit: Open Automation License Manager on the OS Server. Verify that all licenses (PCS 7 OS Server, SIMATIC BATCH, etc.) display status OK without language restrictions.
Text Distributor Import Validation: In WinCC Text Library, verify that entries exist under the Russian column with valid Cyrillic rendering.
Runtime Language Toggle Test: In WinCC Runtime, click the Russian language selection button. Confirm that system overview banners, faceplate buttons, alarm text lines, and units toggle smoothly from English to Russian.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

When implementing Russian language PCS 7 systems, observe these constraints:

Engineering Station Language: The SIMATIC Manager and CFC engineering environment itself is localized exclusively in 5 languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish). Technological block comments can be typed in Cyrillic, but menu bars remain in one of the 5 official ES languages.
Font Selection: Always use Unicode-compliant TrueType fonts (such as Arial Unicode MS or Siemens Sans) in WinCC pictures to prevent garbled text or question mark substitutions (???) on Cyrillic characters.
Commercial Procurement and Licensing Disclaimer: Verify exact add-on software MLFBs and Process Object license counts with an authorized Siemens distributor. Never purchase unauthorized third-party language patches.

Engineer FAQ

Is there an extra license fee to display Russian text in WinCC?

No. WinCC natively supports multilingual projects including Russian without extra license fees. The optional commercial package is required only if you want pre-translated Siemens system dialogs and standard APL faceplate headers in Russian.