Licensing Prerequisites for Control Module Types (CMT) and Advanced ES in SIMATIC PCS 7

In SIMATIC PCS 7, creating, modifying, and instantiating Control Module Types (CMT) and Equipment Module Types (EMT) natively within standard SIMATIC Manager and the CFC editor requires NO additional or specialized software license—it is fully included under the standard PCS 7 Engineering System (ES) license. However, if an engineering facility deploys the optional 'SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced Engineering System' (AdvES) software to automate mass instance generation, synchronize CMTs via bulk tabular spreadsheets, or interface with COMOS/CAx databases, the dedicated 'SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ES' license (such as MLFB 6ES7658-1GX08-2YA5 or 6ES7658-1GX28-0YA5) must be present in Automation License Manager.

Core CMT Capabilities in Standard PCS 7 Engineering

Starting with SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.0, Siemens introduced the Control Module Type (CMT) concept conforming to the ANSI/ISA-88 standard, replacing legacy Process Tag Types (PTT):
- Native CMT Features (Included in Base ES License):
* Creating Control Module Types inside the project's Master Data Library.
* Declaring optional blocks, sub-modules, command interfaces, and status words.
* Dragging and dropping CMTs into Plant Hierarchy folders to generate individual Control Modules (CM).
* Synchronizing type changes across all instances using the native Plant Hierarchy > Synchronize... command.
- Zero Surcharge for Native CMT:
* An engineering station possessing a standard SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering System license (PCS 7 ES AS/OS) can utilize 100% of native CMT and EMT functionality without purchasing add-on packages.

The Role and Scope of SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ES (AdvES)

Commercial Accuracy Disclaimer: Software order numbers (MLFBs), package structures, and hardware capacity prerequisites vary across PCS 7 versions and hardware platforms. System integrators must confirm exact software entitlements and licensing requirements against the official Siemens Catalog CA 01 and obtain an authorized Siemens distributor quotation prior to purchasing.

While native CMT editing is effective for tens or hundreds of instances, massive greenfield facilities with tens of thousands of tags deploy Advanced ES (AdvES):
1. Bulk Engineering via Spreadsheet Interfaces:
- AdvES provides a dedicated engineering client (derived from Siemens COMOS technology) that decouples hardware I/O mapping and signal assignment from manual CFC drawing.
- Engineers define tag names, equipment associations, and optional sub-block activations in mass Excel worksheets.
2. Automated Instance Generation:
- AdvES reads the spreadsheet, instantiates thousands of Control Modules across the Plant Hierarchy, routes peripheral connections, and assigns block parameters automatically in batch mode.
3. Bidirectional CAx Exchange:
- Synchronizes electrical schematics, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID), and PLC software models bidirectionally between external CAD tools and PCS 7.

Licensing Distinction - Standard ES vs AdvES vs Version Cross Manager

To avoid purchasing unnecessary software packages, engineers must distinguish three separate tools:
- Standard PCS 7 Engineering System License:
* Mandatory for all PCS 7 programming.
* Covers STEP 7, CFC, SFC, Plant Hierarchy, native CMT creation, and native type-instance synchronization.
- SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ES License:
* Required only if the standalone AdvES application is installed and executed to perform mass automated chart generation from external tables.
* License Key name in ALM: SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ES (e.g. MLFB 6ES7658-1GX28-0YA5 for PCS 7 v8.2).
- SIMATIC Version Cross Manager (VXM) License:
* VXM is a graphical comparison tool for detecting differences between chart versions or multiprojects.
* VXM is NOT required to synchronize CMT instances in standard PCS 7 or AdvES. It is licensed independently (e.g. MLFB 6ES7658-1CX28-0YA5).

CMT Engineering Tool and Licensing Comparison Table

The following table details functional capabilities and licensing requirements for CMT engineering:

Engineering FunctionSoftware Interface UsedRequired Software License in ALMAdd-On Package Required?Create and Edit CMTsCFC Editor (Master Data Library)SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering (Standard ES)NO (Included in base ES)Instantiate CMs ManuallySIMATIC Manager (Drag & Drop)SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering (Standard ES)NO (Included in base ES)Native CMT SynchronizationPlant Hierarchy > SynchronizeSIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering (Standard ES)NO (Included in base ES)Mass Automated CM GenerationAdvanced ES Client (AdvES)SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ESYES (AdvES Media & License)Bidirectional Excel / CAx ImportAdvanced ES Data ExchangeSIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ESYES (AdvES Media & License)Detailed Graphical Chart DiffVersion Cross Manager (VXM)SIMATIC Version Cross ManagerOptional (Comparison tool only)

Verification

To confirm that Control Module Types are functional on your Engineering Station:
1. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) on the ES: confirm that the standard PCS 7 Engineering System license is active.
2. In SIMATIC Manager, open the Master Data Library and create a new chart.
3. In chart properties, change the chart mode from standard CFC to Control Module Type (CMT).
4. Drag in a motor block (MotL) and assign optional blocks.
5. In Plant View, instantiate the CMT by dragging it into an Area folder.
6. Verify that:
- The Control Module is created without license violation dialogs.
- Modifying the master CMT and executing Plant Hierarchy > Synchronize to Instances updates all child instances successfully.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

When selecting CMT engineering methodologies:
1. Learning Curve of AdvES: Advanced ES introduces substantial database overhead. For plants with fewer than 500 control loops, native CMT engineering within SIMATIC Manager is significantly faster and requires zero additional licensing expenditures.
2. AdvES Retirement in Newer Releases: In newer PCS 7 releases (V9.1 and above), Siemens transitioned bulk engineering capabilities into the modernized PCS 7 Plant Automation Accelerator (PAA) based fully on COMOS.
3. Always Maintain Master Data Library Integrity: Whether using native CMT or AdvES, the Master Data Library must remain the single source of truth. Never edit individual CM chart instances directly if they are meant to remain standardized.

Engineer FAQ

Do I need to buy Advanced ES to use Control Module Types?

No. Standard Control Module Type (CMT) creation, instantiation, and synchronization are 100% included within the standard PCS 7 Engineering System base license.

What does the AdvES license actually unlock?

The SIMATIC PCS 7 Advanced ES license unlocks the standalone AdvES application, which provides mass Excel import/export wizards, automatic chart generation algorithms, and bidirectional CAx data exchange.

Is Version Cross Manager (VXM) required to synchronize CMTs?

No. VXM is strictly an offline comparison tool used to visually inspect differences between two project versions. It is completely independent of CMT synchronization.

Can I convert legacy Process Tag Types (PTT) to Control Module Types?

Yes. SIMATIC PCS 7 includes a native migration wizard: right-click the PTT folder in the Master Data Library and select 'Migrate Process Tag Types to Control Module Types'.