Procurement and Sizing Guide: SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Media Packages vs. Engineering Licenses

The SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Media Package Online Software Delivery (MLFB 6ES7658-4XX18-0YG8) contains only installation media and trial software; it carries a nominal distribution cost and provides zero commercial runtime licenses. To program controllers and operate runtime stations, customers must separately purchase dedicated engineering licenses, AS/OS Process Object (PO) capacity, and optional packages. Final commercial quotations in local currency must be verified through authorized Siemens distributors.

Commercial Classification: Software Media vs. License Keys

When planning industrial control system acquisitions or modernizations, engineers and procurement specialists frequently encounter nominal pricing listings in Siemens digital catalogs:
* Product: SIMATIC PCS 7 Software Media Package V8.1 SP1 (EU), Online Software Delivery (OSD).
* Order Number (MLFB): 6ES7658-4XX18-0YG8.
* Catalog List Price: Nominal charge (typically listed at approximately 1.00 € / nominal download administrative fee).

A frequent commercial misunderstanding arises when end users assume that purchasing MLFB 6ES7658-4XX18-0YG8 grants a complete, functioning PCS 7 programming and runtime environment. In reality, Siemens strictly separates software data media from software runtime licenses:
1. The Software Media Package: Provides binary installation ISO images, setup routines, device driver files, and trial demo modes. It contains no permanent license keys.
2. The License Key (Certificate of License - CoL): The legal entitlement and cryptographic authorization key (delivered via USB flash drive or digital download via OSD) that unlocks software operation in Automation License Manager (ALM).

Attempting to engineer or commission an automated process using only the Software Media Package will result in license expiration within 14 to 21 days as trial timers elapse, locking engineering tools.

Core License Components for PCS 7 Engineering and Runtime

To deploy an operational SIMATIC PCS 7 system, an equipment schedule must specify discrete software entitlements across distinct functional tiers:

Engineering Station (ES) Licenses:
* SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering V8.1: Grants access to SIMATIC Manager, STEP 7, CFC, SFC, SCL, and the WinCC engineering environment.
* Typical Order Number: 6ES7658-5AX18-0YA5 (for single station / unlimited engineering tags).
Automation Station (AS) Runtime Licensing:
* S7-400 and CPU 410-5H controllers consume AS Runtime Process Objects (PO) based on technological block instances (Pcs7AnIn, MotL, PIDConL).
* For the CPU 410-5H Process Automation controller, capacity is defined by the physical System Expansion Card (SEC) (e.g., 100 POs to 2,600+ POs).
* For standard S7-400 controllers, AS RT PO licenses are ordered in cumulative increments (e.g. 100, 600, or 1,000 POs).
Operator Station (OS) Runtime Licensing:
* WinCC OS Single Stations and OS Servers require basic runtime packages sized by OS Process Objects (e.g., SIMATIC PCS 7 OS Software Single Station V8.1 250 PO, MLFB 6ES7658-2AA18-0YA0).
* Redundant servers require a dedicated WinCC Redundancy license package for each physical server node.
Optional and Technological Packages:
* Auxiliary engineering tasks require specific licenses: SIMATIC PDM (Process Device Manager), SIMATIC BATCH, Maintenance Station, Route Control, and Version Cross Manager (VXM).

Procurement and Quotation Workflow

1. Perform Formal Process Object and Tag Sizing

Tally all physical I/O points (DI, DO, AI, AO) and fieldbus instruments (HART, PROFIBUS, PROFINET).
Calculate estimated Process Object consumption (standard industry heuristic: 1 Process Object equals approximately 1.5 to 2.5 physical I/O points, depending on loop complexity).
Determine architecture requirements: Single Station vs. Client/Server, server redundancy, and dedicated engineering stations.

2. Utilize Siemens Configuration Tools

Access the Siemens TIA Selection Tool (TST) or contact your Siemens technical sales representative to access the PCS 7 System Configurator.
Input controller models, I/O distribution, and server topology.
Generate a comprehensive equipment schedule containing validated MLFBs and licensing quantities.

3. Request Formal Regional Quotation

Submit the equipment schedule to an authorized regional Siemens distributor or Siemens regional sales office (e.g. Siemens India, Siemens Middle East, Siemens USA).
Regional distributors incorporate country-specific taxation, import tariffs, customs clearances, software delivery formats (OSD vs physical DVD), and software maintenance service agreements (Software Update Service - SUS).
Review the formal commercial quote; verify that every runtime software item includes its corresponding Certificate of License (CoL).

SIMATIC PCS 7 Software and License Package Matrix

Package DescriptionOrder Number (MLFB)Delivery FormatLicenses Included?Primary Function / ScopePCS 7 Software Media Package V8.16ES7658-4XX18-0YG8Online Software Delivery (OSD)NO (Trial Only)Installation binaries, booklets, and trial toolsPCS 7 Engineering Station V8.16ES7658-5AX18-0YA5Physical CoL / OSDYES (Full License)Full engineering suite (STEP 7, CFC, SFC, WinCC ES)PCS 7 OS Single Station V8.1 (250 PO)6ES7658-2AA18-0YA0Physical CoL / OSDYES (Full License)SCADA runtime license for 250 Process ObjectsCPU 410-5H System Expansion Card (500 PO)6ES7653-2CC00-0XB0Hardware SEC Micro Memory CardYES (Hardware License)Controller execution capacity hardware dongleWinCC Server Redundancy V7.3 / V8.16AV6371-1CA07-3AX0Physical CoL / OSDYES (Full License)Enables database synchronization across OS server pair

Verification

After procurement, receive the official Certificate of License (CoL) documents.
Launch Automation License Manager (ALM) on the target workstation.
Transfer the purchased license keys from the USB license key drive or connect to the Siemens Online Software Delivery (OSD) portal using your login credentials.
Verify that license keys for SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering, SIMATIC STEP 7, SIMATIC CFC, and SIMATIC WinCC show status Valid with green icons.
Launch SIMATIC Manager; confirm no trial mode expiration warnings appear.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Trial License Hazard: Never operate a production automation facility on trial licenses. When the trial period expires, engineering editors lock, preventing logic modifications during emergencies.
Redundant System Licensing: For redundant OS Server architectures, licenses must be purchased for both servers. Licensing one server and attempting to replicate software violates license agreements and leaves the partner node unlicensed.
Commercial and Licensing Notice: Sizing estimations, equipment schedules, and catalog list prices are technical guidelines only. Always validate final license quantities, System Expansion Card capacities, and MLFBs with an authorized Siemens distributor for official contractual quotation.

Engineer FAQ

Why does Siemens sell the Software Media Package for 1 Euro?

The nominal fee covers digital delivery, bandwidth, and packaging costs for users who already own valid software licenses or Software Update Service (SUS) contracts but need replacement installation media.

What happens if an S7-400 controller exceeds its licensed Process Object count?

In PCS 7, exceeding the AS Process Object count will generate non-fatal licensing warnings during compilation and in the OS alarm banner, but the CPU will not halt process execution.

Can I convert a trial license into a permanent license without reinstalling software?

Yes. Software binaries installed from a media package or trial download are identical to production code. Transferring a valid permanent license key via ALM converts the system to a fully licensed state immediately.