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Licensing Models, Trial Modes, and Functional Packages in SIMATIC SIMIT Simulation Platform

Licensing Models, Trial Modes, and Functional Packages in SIMATIC SIMIT Simulation Platform

SIMATIC SIMIT Simulation Platform (such as SIMIT V10.2) operates on a tiered commercial licensing model comprising three primary functional editions: SIMIT Standard, SIMIT Professional, and SIMIT Ultimate. Upon initial software installation, SIMIT automatically activates a built-in 14-day Trial License, allowing engineers to evaluate all platform features without commercial restrictions. Once the trial period expires, SIMIT halts simulation execution until a valid permanent Floating License is transferred via Automation License Manager (ALM). Optional functional packages—such as SIMIT FLOWNET, SIMIT CONTEC, Component Type Editor (CTE), and Virtual Controller (VC) capacity licenses—require separate add-on licenses. Final license quantities, software packages, and hardware order numbers must be confirmed with an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Virtual commissioning, operator training systems (OTS), and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing have become indispensable components of modern industrial automation engineering. Siemens SIMIT Simulation Platform enables the creation of real-time digital twins for machines, chemical processes, and manufacturing plants, interfacing directly with S7-PLCSIM, S7-PLCSIM Advanced, physical controllers, or Virtual Controllers (VC).

Engineers evaluating SIMIT V10.2 or planning new simulation infrastructure frequently need clarification regarding license acquisition, trial functionality, and package tiers. SIMIT includes an automated 14-day evaluation mechanism that activates upon first launch. However, deploying SIMIT for production simulation or sustained testing requires understanding the functional boundaries between SIMIT Standard, Professional, and Ultimate, as well as the licensing rules governing Virtual Controllers and specialized behavioral modeling libraries. This guide outlines the complete SIMIT licensing structure, details trial mode boundaries, explains how licenses are managed via Automation License Manager (ALM), and establishes mandatory commercial ordering guidelines.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The SIMIT software licensing framework is managed via Siemens Automation License Manager (ALM) and enforces functional and capacity boundaries across three distinct dimensions:
1. Core Platform Tiers:
* SIMIT Standard: Provides foundational simulation modeling capabilities, standard component libraries (basic math, drives, valves, sensors), cyclical diagram execution, and standard couplings (such as OPC DA client, PROFINET IO via Shared Memory, and basic S7-PLCSIM coupling).
* SIMIT Professional: Extends Standard with advanced simulation features, including the Component Type Editor (CTE) for authoring custom behavioral C#/C++ components, S7-PLCSIM Advanced coupling, and expanded script automation.
* SIMIT Ultimate: The top-tier platform providing complete simulation capabilities, multi-core distributed simulation clustering, high-performance real-time execution engines, and full enterprise API integration.
2. Virtual Controller (VC) Capacity Licensing:
* SIMIT Virtual Controller emulates the behavior of SIMATIC S7-300, S7-400, and S7-410 controllers without physical hardware or standard PLCSIM limitations.
* VC instances are licensed based on controller count (e.g., SIMIT Virtual Controller 1, SIMIT Virtual Controller 5, or bulk capacity packs). Each emulated AS controller consumes 1 VC license.
3. Specialized Modeling Add-On Libraries:
* SIMIT FLOWNET: Provides hydrodynamic modeling of compressible and incompressible fluid networks (pressures, flow rates, temperatures across piping networks).
* SIMIT CONTEC: Specialized library for material handling and discrete conveying systems.
* These libraries require separate add-on floating license keys managed via ALM.
4. Trial License Mechanics:
* Upon installing SIMIT and opening the software for the first time, ALM initializes a 14-day Trial License (Trial License SIMIT).
* During this 14-day window, full platform functionality is unlocked. A daily countdown banner is displayed.
* Upon expiration (Day 15), SIMIT will launch in view-only mode, and attempting to start simulation runtime will trigger a license deficit error.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Step 1: Install SIMIT and Activate the 14-Day Trial License

  1. Download the SIMIT V10.2 installation package from Siemens Industry Online Support (SIOS) or mount the official installation media.
  2. Run Setup.exe with administrative rights and follow the on-screen installation prompts.
  3. Ensure Automation License Manager (ALM) is installed alongside SIMIT.
  4. Launch SIMIT: upon first execution, ALM automatically detects the absence of a permanent license and activates the 14-day Trial License.
  5. Confirm that the simulation runtime starts successfully during the trial evaluation window.

Step 2: Sizing Simulation Requirements and Selecting Platform Tier

  1. Evaluate your simulation engineering requirements:
    * If basic I/O signal testing with standard PLCSIM is sufficient: select SIMIT Standard.
    * If using custom C++ components (CTE), S7-PLCSIM Advanced, or external C# couplings: select SIMIT Professional.
    * If requiring multi-node distributed simulation or large-scale plant OTS: select SIMIT Ultimate.
  2. Determine controller emulation requirements: count how many virtual S7-400 or S7-410 controllers will execute simultaneously, and select the matching SIMIT Virtual Controller license capacity.
  3. Identify specialized physics requirements: determine if SIMIT FLOWNET (fluid networks) or SIMIT CONTEC (conveyor dynamics) are required.

Step 3: Procure Permanent Licenses

  1. Compile the equipment schedule and required functional packages.
  2. Note the preferred delivery format: OSD (Online Software Delivery via download with electronic certificate) or physical USB dongle / DVD.
  3. Request a quotation through an authorized Siemens distributor or configure the order via the Siemens Industry Mall.

Step 4: Transfer Permanent Licenses Using Automation License Manager (ALM)

  1. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) on the simulation workstation.
  2. If licenses were purchased via OSD, log into the Siemens OSD portal within ALM and download the license keys directly to local drive C:.
  3. If delivered on a license USB stick, connect the USB drive, select the drive in ALM, and drag the license keys to local drive C:.
  4. Verify that the license keys show status 'OK' with license type 'Floating'.

Step 5: Verify SIMIT Runtime with Permanent Licenses

  1. Launch SIMIT V10.2.
  2. Confirm that the trial countdown dialog no longer appears upon startup.
  3. Open your simulation project, start the simulation runtime, and verify that all licensed couplings (Virtual Controller, PLCSIM Advanced, CTE) activate smoothly.

Verification

  1. In Automation License Manager, select local drive C:: verify that SIMIT Simulation Platform (Standard, Professional, or Ultimate) and all required add-ons (CTE, FLOWNET, VC) appear with valid license status.
  2. In SIMIT, navigate to Help > Installed Software: confirm that the installed version reflects V10.2 and that all licensed packages are listed.
  3. Create a test simulation project containing a basic chart and an active coupling.
  4. Click 'Start Simulation': verify that the simulation kernel initializes, the status bar indicates 'Running', and simulation time increments without license warning pop-ups.
  5. Test specialized components: if FLOWNET or CTE components are used, verify they calculate equations without licensing exceptions.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  1. SIMIT Trial licenses cannot be renewed or extended on the same operating system installation once the 14-day period expires.
  2. Virtual Controller licenses are tied strictly to controller count; attempting to instantiate more VCs than licensed will prevent the excess controllers from starting.
  3. Hardware capacity planning, simulation scale, and order numbers must be confirmed with an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.
  4. SIMIT floating licenses can be served over a local network via an ALM license server, but network latency or license server disconnects will pause simulation execution after a grace timeout.

Engineer FAQ

Can I use SIMIT without any license?

You can use SIMIT for exactly 14 days under the built-in Trial License that activates upon first launch. After 14 days, you must transfer a valid permanent license via ALM to run simulations.

What is the difference between SIMIT Standard and Professional?

SIMIT Professional includes the Component Type Editor (CTE) for custom block modeling, advanced simulation automation scripts, and S7-PLCSIM Advanced coupling, which are not included in SIMIT Standard.

Do I need a separate license for SIMIT Virtual Controller?

Yes. While SIMIT can connect to external PLCSIM, running the integrated SIMIT Virtual Controller (which emulates S7-300/400/410 CPUs directly) requires dedicated Virtual Controller capacity licenses.

Can SIMIT licenses be transferred to another computer?

Yes. SIMIT uses standard Siemens Floating License Keys, which can be transferred between computers or moved to a network license server using Automation License Manager.

Where can I find the official order numbers for SIMIT packages?

Official part numbers (MLFBs) are published in the Siemens SIMIT product documentation and can be verified through an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.

Technical References

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Related Tags

  • SIMIT V10.2
  • SIMIT Licensing
  • ALM
  • Virtual Controller
  • Simulation Platform
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