Understanding SIMATIC PDM Portal Capabilities in PDM V9.0 SP1 - NAMUR NE 107 Views vs EDD Parameterization

In SIMATIC PDM V9.0 SP1, the column layout and parameter attributes displayed in the PDM Portal view (such as 'Connection Point', 'Project', and 'Priority') are system-defined and cannot be customized or removed by end users. The PDM Portal is an architectural web/dashboard interface engineered strictly to provide standardized plant-wide device health overviews in alignment with the NAMUR NE 107 diagnostic specification. To view or modify specific instrument process parameters (such as Zero Offset, Measuring Range, Damping, or engineering units), technicians must open the device's native Electronic Device Description (EDD) Parameter View by double-clicking the instrument in SIMATIC Manager Process Device Plant View or launching the PDM Device View.

Architectural Purpose of the SIMATIC PDM Portal in PDM V9.0

With the release of SIMATIC PDM V9.0 and V9.0 SP1, Siemens introduced the PDM Portal—a server-based, lightweight web client interface designed to democratize asset maintenance across industrial facilities. Rather than requiring maintenance personnel to install heavy Step 7 engineering software and open massive engineering multiprojects, the PDM Portal allows technicians to inspect plant field devices using standard web browsers on desktop PCs, tablets, or maintenance terminals.

The core engineering function of the PDM Portal is rapid diagnostic triaging. It provides a centralized summary of all connected HART, PROFIBUS PA, and PROFINET field transmitters, highlighting which devices are failing or demanding maintenance across the entire plant.

Why PDM Portal Columns Are Fixed (NAMUR NE 107 Standardization)

Engineers frequently ask whether the tabular grid of the PDM Portal can be reconfigured—specifically, removing fields like 'Connection Point', 'Project', or 'Priority', and replacing them with process metrics like Measuring Range (Wertebereich) or Sensor Offset.

Siemens technical support confirms that the PDM Portal view is intentionally non-customizable:

Adherence to NAMUR NE 107: The portal layout is architected around the international NAMUR NE 107 standard for self-monitoring and diagnosis of field devices. NE 107 mandates four standardized diagnostic states: Failure, Maintenance required, Maintenance demanded, and Function check. The portal columns are hardcoded to support this diagnostic workflow.
Device-Agnostic Portal Architecture: Across a plant with 2,000 instruments, a radar level transmitter, a Coriolis mass flowmeter, and a pressure transmitter have completely different parameter sets. Attempting to display device-specific parameters (like flow damping or dielectric constants) in a universal plant portal would break tabular aggregation.
Security and Integrity: The PDM Portal is primarily a monitoring and supervisory dashboard; allowing arbitrary parameter manipulation from the high-level web view could bypass device write-protection and plant safety interlocks.

Accessing Device-Specific Measuring Ranges, Offsets, and Calibration Data

To inspect and tune detailed technological parameters, maintenance technicians must transition from the diagnostic portal to the EDD (Electronic Device Description) Parameterization View:

Opening EDD View: In the PDM Portal, clicking on a device tag or double-clicking the instrument in SIMATIC Manager Process Device Plant View launches the native PDM Device Editor.
Parameter Structure: The EDD interpreter opens the manufacturer-certified profile, providing organized parameter trees: Input Scaling, Zero Offset, Lower/Upper Range Value (LRV/URV), Damping, Transfer Function (linear/square root), and Diagnostic Histograms.
Parameter Comparison: PDM provides the 'Compare with offline data' function, enabling engineers to verify field instrument parameters against engineering database baselines.

Alternative Customization: PDM Process Device View and Export Utilities

If maintenance teams require customized tabular overviews of device parameters for asset management reports, alternative workflows exist:

Process Device View Column Configuration: Inside the classical SIMATIC PDM Process Device View, columns can be customized to display Device Type, Order Number (MLFB), Firmware Revision, HART Address, and Installation Location.
XML / CSV Parameter Export: PDM allows bulk parameter export. Technicians can export parameter sets for hundreds of devices simultaneously into CSV or XML files, which can then be imported into Microsoft Excel or plant ERP systems (SAP PM) to generate custom reports containing offsets, calibration dates, and measuring ranges.
SIMATIC Maintenance Station (MS): In PCS 7 OS, the Maintenance Station provides customizable faceplates and diagnostic screens displaying live process values alongside PDM health states.

Comparative View Matrix: PDM Portal vs PDM Device View vs Maintenance Station

The following table compares the capabilities and customization boundaries of field device visualization tools in PCS 7:

View / InterfaceIntended UserDisplay CapabilitiesCustomizable Columns?Parameter Write Capability?Standard AlignmentPDM Portal (Web)Maintenance Shift TechPlant-wide Health, Priority, Tag, LocationNo (Hardcoded Layout)No (View/Diagnostics Only)NAMUR NE 107PDM Device View (EDD)Instrument EngineerFull Parameter Tree, Offsets, Ranges, CalibrationsYes (In Parameter Trees)Yes (Online Read/Write)EDDL / FDI StandardPDM Process Device ViewSystem IntegratorNetwork Hierarchy, Bus Addresses, Device TypesYes (Folder View Settings)No (Structural View)Step 7 HierarchyPCS 7 Maintenance StationControl Room OperatorAsset Faceplates, Alarms, Maintenance DemandsYes (WinCC Graphic Design)Limited (Via APL Drivers)NAMUR NE 107 / VDI 2650

Step-by-Step Procedure to Parameterize and Query Field Devices in PDM

Follow this procedure to access and export field device parameters that cannot be viewed in the PDM Portal:

Triage Device in PDM Portal:
- Open the PDM Portal in a web browser.
- Filter by status to locate devices demanding maintenance.
- Note the device Tag Name and Connection Point.
Open PDM Parameter View in SIMATIC Manager:
- On the Engineering Station or Maintenance Station, open SIMATIC Manager.
- Switch to Process Device Plant View (View > Process Device Plant View).
- Locate the target instrument and double-click its entry.
Inspect and Adjust Measuring Ranges and Offsets:
- The PDM EDD Parameter window opens.
- Select Device > Upload to PG/PC to read current field values.
- Navigate the parameter tree to Process Variables > Analog Output or Sensor Calibration.
- Review and adjust Zero Offset, Lower Range Value (LRV), and Upper Range Value (URV).
- Click Device > Download to Device to write updated parameters to the instrument.
Export Bulk Parameters for Reporting:
- In Process Device Plant View, select the plant area folder.
- Select menu File > Export...
- Select Export device parameters as XML/CSV.
- Open the generated CSV in Excel to generate custom tabular reports displaying offsets and measuring ranges for plant records.

Verification

Verify correct device parameterization and portal reflection through these checks:

Following parameter download in PDM Device View, perform an upload to verify that field parameters match the engineering database.
Check the device's diagnostic status in PDM: verify that the NE 107 status indicates 'Good / OK'.
Refresh the PDM Portal browser view: confirm that the device's priority and diagnostic state clear to green/normal.
Open the associated process graphic in WinCC OS Runtime and verify that the technological block icon (e.g., MonAnL) reflects the updated measuring range and calibrated live process value.

Limitations and Operational Precautions

Writing to Devices During Production: Modifying measuring ranges or zero offsets on instruments while the plant is operating will instantly alter the 4–20 mA or digital signal sent to controller safety interlocks, potentially causing an unintended trip. Always place control loops in Manual and bypass safety interlocks before writing to field devices.
Portal Licensing: The PDM Portal requires appropriate server licensing (SIMATIC PDM Server / Portal license options) in Automation License Manager.
EDD File Integrity: Only use device descriptions obtained from the official Siemens Device Integration catalog or certified device manufacturers to prevent communication errors.

Engineer FAQ

Why did Siemens make the PDM Portal view fixed and non-configurable?

The PDM Portal is designed as a standardized NAMUR NE 107 diagnostic interface. Standardizing the layout ensures consistent plant maintenance workflows across diverse instrument vendors and equipment categories.

Can I see live process values in the PDM Portal?

The PDM Portal displays basic diagnostic status and device metadata. Live process values and continuous dynamic curves are intended to be monitored via the PCS 7 OS runtime faceplates or within the PDM EDD Online View.

How do I change the language of the PDM Portal?

The PDM Portal language tracks the language selected in the browser settings or can be switched via the language dropdown on the portal header bar.

Does PDM Portal require client software on each laptop?

No. The PDM Portal is a web application accessible via standard web browsers (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer) without local client installation.