C135 PCS 7 (PCS7)
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Resolving Partial STEP 7 Only Displays and Missing Engineering Packages in SIMATIC PCS 7

Resolving Partial STEP 7 Only Displays and Missing Engineering Packages in SIMATIC PCS 7

When installing SIMATIC PCS 7 (such as V8.2) on an engineering computer (e.g., Field PG M5) results in SIMATIC Manager launching as basic 'STEP 7 V5.5' with CFC charts failing to open and licenses showing 'Unknown' in Automation License Manager, the root cause is that software components were installed individually rather than using a cohesive PCS 7 installation package. PCS 7 is an integrated system platform that requires installing preset software packages—such as 'Engineering Station (ES)'—via the unified frame setup. Installing components separately omits critical shared libraries, technological wizards, and registry integration hooks. To resolve this, run Setup.exe from the PCS 7 installation media, select the comprehensive 'Engineering Station (ES)' package profile, and transfer a valid AS/OS Engineering license (e.g., 6ES7658-5AX28-0YA5).

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Commissioning an industrial Engineering Station (ES) for SIMATIC PCS 7 requires deploying an extensive, tightly coordinated suite of software packages spanning programmable logic controller (PLC) configuration, continuous function charts (CFC), sequential function charts (SFC), and supervisory control and data acquisition (WinCC). When automation engineers acquire new engineering hardware—such as a Siemens Field PG M5—and install PCS 7 V8.2 from software media, errors frequently occur during package selection.

A recurring deployment mistake occurs when an engineer chooses to install individual software tools separately (e.g., running standalone setups for STEP 7, SCL, or WinCC) under the assumption that only specific tools are needed. Consequently, upon opening SIMATIC Manager, the application displays standard classic 'STEP 7 V5.5', CFC editors fail to launch, technological wizards are absent, and Automation License Manager flags licenses with an 'Unknown' status. This technical guide outlines the architecture of PCS 7 frame installations, explains why modular package deployment is mandatory, provides step-by-step reinstallation guidelines, and establishes licensing prerequisites for full ES functionality.

Architecture and Fundamental Mechanics

The SIMATIC PCS 7 installation architecture differs fundamentally from classic standalone STEP 7:
1. The Frame Setup Concept:
* PCS 7 is not a single executable; it is an integrated ecosystem encompassing over 40 distinct software packages.
* The Frame Setup (Setup.exe on DVD 1) acts as an orchestration engine. When an engineer selects a predefined package profile—such as Engineering Station (ES)—the frame setup enforces component dependencies, installs shared system databases, configures local Windows security policies via SIMATIC Security Control, and writes central registry keys that bind STEP 7, CFC, and WinCC together.
2. Consequences of Fragmented Installation:
* When tools are installed individually outside the frame setup:
* Shared technological integration layers (such as the Plant Hierarchy engine, TH database, and AS-OS engineering links) are never deployed.
* SIMATIC Manager initializes in classic STEP 7 mode, ignoring PCS 7 multiproject templates.
* The CFC editor cannot verify licensing or locate master library drivers, causing CFC launch aborts.
3. Licensing Status 'Unknown' in ALM:
* Automation License Manager (ALM) requires specific licensing dictionary files and service components deployed by the PCS 7 setup.
* If an AS/OS Engineering license is transferred onto a machine where the PCS 7 technological shell is absent, ALM cannot match the cryptographic license key to an installed software package, displaying the license status as Unknown or -.
4. Mandatory Licensing Packages:
* An Engineering Station requires the core SIMATIC PCS 7 Engineering license (e.g., 6ES7658-5AX28-0YA5 for V8.2).
* For controller programming, AS RT PO (Process Object) licenses are required on the ES to allocate POs during chart compilation.

Step-by-Step Implementation Procedure

Step 1: Back Up Existing Licenses in Automation License Manager

  1. Open Automation License Manager (ALM) on the Field PG.
  2. Connect an external USB license drive.
  3. Transfer all existing license keys from drive C: to the USB drive to safeguard them during reinstallation.
  4. Close ALM.

Step 2: Launch the PCS 7 Frame Setup

  1. Insert or mount DVD 1 of the official SIMATIC PCS 7 V8.2 installation media.
  2. Open Windows Explorer, navigate to the root directory, right-click Setup.exe, and select Run as administrator.
  3. In the setup language selection, choose your language (English or German) and click Next.

Step 3: Select the Comprehensive 'Engineering Station' Package Profile

  1. On the 'Installation type' screen, select Install.
  2. On the 'Product selection' screen, choose Package installation (never choose custom component-by-component installation for an ES).
  3. In the list of package profiles, select:
    * Engineering Station (ES) (or ES Single Station if local OS runtime testing is needed).
  4. In the optional software components checklist:
    * Select S7-PLCSIM (for offline simulation).
    * Select SIMATIC Logon.
    * Select CFC, SFC, SCL, and DOCPRO.
  5. Click Next and allow the system prerequisites check to execute.

Step 4: Execute Complete System Deployment and Security Control

  1. Review the installation summary and click Install.
  2. Allow the installer to complete all installation phases across the media discs. Do not interrupt the process.
  3. When prompted, allow the SIMATIC Security Control tool to execute to configure local Windows user groups (SIMATIC HMI, SIMATIC NET) and firewall rules.
  4. Reboot the Field PG when prompted by the installer.

Step 5: Transfer Licenses and Verify Integration

  1. Connect the USB license drive.
  2. Open Automation License Manager and transfer the following licenses to local drive C::
    * SIMATIC PCS 7 AS/OS Engineering V8.2 (Floating License)
    * SIMATIC PCS 7 AS RT PO (Volume License)
  3. Verify that the license status transitions to OK.
  4. Launch SIMATIC Manager.

Verification

  1. Launch SIMATIC Manager: verify that the application header displays 'SIMATIC Manager' with full PCS 7 integration rather than basic STEP 7.
  2. Select File > New Project Wizard: verify that the PCS 7 'New Project' Wizard is available, allowing automated multiproject creation with AS and OS stations.
  3. Open an existing PCS 7 project: navigate to the Charts folder and double-click a CFC chart. Confirm that the CFC Editor opens smoothly.
  4. In Automation License Manager, select drive C:: confirm that all engineering and runtime licenses show status 'OK' with green checkmarks.
  5. Select Help > About SIMATIC Manager and click Installed Software: confirm that SIMATIC PCS 7, CFC, SFC, and WinCC appear in the installed components list.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

  1. Never attempt to mix standalone STEP 7 Professional or TIA Portal installations on the same operating system instance with PCS 7; version conflicts between shared DLLs will corrupt the engineering environment.
  2. The Engineering Station package requires a 64-bit operating system (Windows 7 SP1 Ultimate/Enterprise 64-bit for V8.2) with minimum 16 GB RAM.
  3. Hardware capacity planning, equipment lists, and software entitlements must be verified prior to procurement. Final license quantities and order numbers must be confirmed with an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.
  4. Field PGs must be connected to continuous AC mains power during PCS 7 package installations to prevent power-saving interruptions.

Engineer FAQ

Why did SIMATIC Manager show 'STEP 7 V5.5' after I installed PCS 7?

You installed standalone STEP 7 instead of the integrated PCS 7 Engineering Station package. PCS 7 relies on a unified frame setup to deploy shared technological libraries and wizards.

Why was my engineering license listed as 'Unknown' in ALM?

ALM did not have the PCS 7 licensing catalog definitions installed because the PCS 7 technological core was missing. Installing the complete ES package resolves license recognition.

Can I install only CFC without installing WinCC on an ES?

While technically possible via custom selection, Siemens strongly advises against it. An Engineering Station requires both AS and OS engineering tools to maintain multiproject synchronization.

What is the difference between an ES and an OS Single Station?

An Engineering Station (ES) is used to author, compile, and download control strategies and graphics. An OS Single Station is an operator runtime computer that executes the compiled WinCC SCADA project.

What is the standard order number for PCS 7 V8.2 AS/OS Engineering?

The standard floating license order number for PCS 7 V8.2 Engineering is 6ES7658-5AX28-0YA5. Verify all order numbers with an authorized Siemens distributor or the Siemens Industry Mall.

Technical References

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Related Tags

  • Field PG
  • PCS 7 V8.2
  • Engineering Station
  • ALM
  • Frame Setup
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