Licensing Structure of the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library: AS Runtime, Engineering, and OS Faceplates

The licensing structure of the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library (IL V8.x / V9.x) comprises three distinct license categories: an Engineering License per Engineering Station (ES), an AS Runtime License per automation station (S7-400, S7-300, S7-1500, or AS RTX) executing IL function blocks, and an Upgrade License per project. Importantly, there is no separate Industry Library license required for WinCC OS Servers or OS Clients: Industry Library faceplates and graphic symbols are licensed under standard WinCC Runtime licenses. However, instantiating IL technological blocks consumes standard PCS 7 AS RT PO and OS RT PO licenses. Always validate license package selections with an authorized Siemens distributor quotation.

Executive Summary

Integrating packaged units, sub-controllers (such as S7-300, S7-1500, or third-party skid controllers), and specialized process equipment into SIMATIC PCS 7 is streamlined by the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library (IL). When designing architectures where an S7-400 communicates with a packaged S7-300 (e.g. CPU 317-2 PN/DP) via Industry Library blocks, automation engineers frequently seek clarity regarding the necessary software entitlements. Specifically, engineers ask whether deploying IL faceplates onto redundant OS servers and operator clients mandates additional WinCC visualization licenses. This article clarifies the three-tier licensing framework of the Industry Library, explains Process Object consumption rules, and provides procurement verification guidelines.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

Industry Library Architecture, Controller Integration, and Three-Tier Licensing Model:

Architecture of the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library:
The Industry Library bridges classical PCS 7 Advanced Process Library (APL) standards with discrete and packaged controllers:
1. IL for PCS 7: Blocks executing in S7-400 / CPU 410 controllers (e.g. specialized heating/cooling split-range controllers, multi-motor selectors, polygon curves).
2. IL for S7: Blocks executing in S7-300, S7-1500, or IM 151-8 controllers, enabling package skids to emulate APL block behaviors and communicate seamlessly with WinCC.
3. IL for WinCC (OS Faceplates): Pre-engineered APL-style faceplates and block icons rendered in WinCC Runtime.
The Three Official Industry Library License Categories:
1. Engineering License (per ES):
- Required once for each Engineering Station configuring IL blocks in CFC, STEP 7, or WinCC.
- Unlocks block insertion, parameterization, and compilation.
2. AS Runtime License (per Controller):
- Required for every physical controller (S7-400, S7-300, S7-1500, AS RTX) executing IL function blocks.
- Validated in Automation License Manager (ALM) on the controller or through software entitlement verification.
3. Upgrade License (per Project):
- Applies when modernizing an entire facility from an older Industry Library release (e.g. V8.x to V9.0), covering all subordinate IL engineering and runtime instances in the project.
The WinCC OS Visualization Licensing Exemption:
Operating Industry Library faceplates on OS Servers, OS Single Stations, and OS Clients does NOT require an additional IL license.
WinCC graphic objects and scripts are bundled with the software installation.
Process Object (PO) Consumption Rule: Every instantiated IL technological block (e.g. IL_MotL, IL_VlvL) counts against the plant's cumulative AS RT PO and OS RT PO license pools identically to standard APL blocks.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Inventory Planned Industry Library Usage Across Controllers:
* Count the number of Engineering Stations configuring IL components (requires 1 IL Engineering license per ES).
* Count the number of automation controllers executing IL blocks: S7-400 AS stations plus all packaged S7-300 / S7-1500 PLCs (requires 1 IL AS Runtime license per CPU).
Calculate Standard Process Object (PO) Consumption:
* In SIMATIC Manager, open the Master Data Library or user project.
* Review the block descriptions in the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library Manual to identify PO weighting per block.
* Ensure sufficient AS RT PO and OS RT PO licenses are available in Automation License Manager.
Procure Required License Packages:
* Procure the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library Engineering License for the central ES.
* Procure the required quantity of SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library AS Runtime Licenses for each target CPU.
* Confirm that zero additional licenses are ordered for OS Servers or OS Clients.
* Verify all MLFBs through an authorized Siemens distributor quotation.
Transfer and Validate Licenses via ALM:
* Open Automation License Manager on the Engineering Station.
* Transfer the IL Engineering and IL AS Runtime license keys to local drive C:.
* If the target controller is an S7-1500, register the runtime license in TIA Portal / CPU properties.
Compile and Deploy:
* Compile CFC charts; confirm that the compiler checks out the IL engineering license cleanly.
* Compile the OS; download changes to redundant OS servers and clients.

Verification

In Automation License Manager, verify that PCS 7 Industry Library Engineering displays status 'Valid' on the ES.
In SIMATIC Manager, open Options > Charts > Process Objects; verify that IL blocks are tallied accurately within the PO quota.
Start WinCC Runtime; open an Industry Library faceplate on an OS Client. Confirm full operator control with zero license popups.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

An IL Engineering license does not include standard STEP 7 or WinCC engineering licenses; these underlying base licenses must be present. Controllers running 'IL for S7' require compatible firmware (e.g. S7-300 firmware V3.2 or higher).

Engineer FAQ

Do I need an Industry Library license for WinCC OS Servers or Clients?

No. Industry Library faceplates do not require separate WinCC runtime licenses; they are covered under standard WinCC OS licenses.

What licenses are required for the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library?

An Engineering License per Engineering Station (ES) and an AS Runtime License per controller (AS) running IL blocks.

Do Industry Library blocks consume Process Objects (POs)?

Yes. Every technological block instantiated from the Industry Library consumes standard AS RT PO and OS RT PO licenses.

Can I use Industry Library blocks on S7-300 or S7-1500 controllers?

Yes, the 'IL for S7' component is engineered specifically for S7-300 and S7-1500 controllers, enabling them to integrate into PCS 7.

What is the Industry Library Upgrade license used for?

It upgrades all existing IL licenses in a project from an older release (e.g. V8.x) to a newer release (e.g. V9.0) under a single package.

Technical References

Industry Library

PCS 7 IL

IL Engineering License

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Licensing Structure of the SIMATIC PCS 7 Industry Library: AS Runtime, Engineering, and OS Faceplates