Make the PCS 7 BATCH Client See the Configured Process Cell

If Batch Control Center (BCC) cannot see or connect to the expected process cell even though the BATCH server is running and OS/BATCH communication checks pass, verify that the PC running BCC has a configured BATCH client application in its SIMATIC PC station hardware configuration. In the reported case, the missing BATCH client application on the OS server was the cause; adding it resolved the project visibility problem.

Why BCC Needs a Configured Client Station

SIMATIC BATCH client software and BATCH server software are separate components. Siemens' configuration instructions require a SIMATIC PC station with a “BATCH application client” in HW Config for each computer where a BATCH client application runs. A running BATCH server and correct OS/BATCH project mapping do not replace that client station configuration.

Add the BATCH Client to the PC Station

In the PCS 7 project, identify the computer on which BCC is running. In the reported case, this was the OS server.
Open that computer's SIMATIC PC station in the engineering project and open its hardware configuration.
Insert the BATCH application client from the hardware catalog under the appropriate SIMATIC PC Station/HMI category, following the installed SIMATIC BATCH version's manual.
Save and compile the station configuration, then download the configured PC station using the site's approved procedure.
Confirm the BATCH client application is installed/running on the same computer and that its process cell project matches the BATCH server configuration.

Check the Remaining Process-Cell Setup

Confirm the BATCH server and OS server are configured in the correct project, the OS server is assigned in the BATCH multiproject settings, and the required BATCH client/server software packages are installed. Siemens documents that BATCH clients and the BATCH server work with the same process cell project and that BATCH runtime interacts with PCS 7 OS.

Verification

Restart or re-open BCC as required by the system procedure and verify that the intended process cell and batch objects are visible. Check BATCH status and OS communication afterward; the source reports that adding the client to HW Config resolved its issue.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

The ticket does not state the exact PCS 7/SIMATIC BATCH version. Hardware catalog paths and package names can vary by release. Configure the station that actually hosts the BATCH client application; if BCC runs on a different computer than the OS server, configure that host instead.

Engineer FAQ

BCC ran on the OS server in the reported setup, but the OS server's PC station lacked the BATCH client application. Siemens' configuration rule is to add the BATCH client to the station that runs the client software.

Technical References

Siemens, SIMATIC BATCH Engineering, “Configuring the BATCH Clients”: create/configure a SIMATIC PC station and insert a BATCH application client in HW Config: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/21407327/bfmain_b_e.pdf
Siemens, SIMATIC BATCH V9.1 SP1 Operating Manual, BATCH packages and client/server architecture: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109805390/sb-onlinehelp_b_en-US.pdf
Siemens, PCS 7 – PC Configuration (V9.1 SP1), approved PC station configurations: https://support.industry.siemens.com/cs/attachments/109805407/ps7pck_b.pdf