Siemens licensing confuses newcomers because the names describe editor capability, not just CPU families. Here is the short map we give every customer building an engineering seat.
The core tiers
STEP 7 Basic programs S7-1200 only. STEP 7 Professional programs everything — S7-1200, S7-1500, S7-300/400 and software controllers. If you touch anything beyond S7-1200, Basic is a false economy.
On the HMI side, WinCC Basic covers Basic Panels only; Comfort adds Comfort Panels; Advanced adds PC runtime; Professional (and now WinCC Unified) covers SCADA-class systems. Buy the tier matching your largest target, not your average one.
Floating, trial and the license manager
Licenses live in the Automation License Manager and float between machines via USB stick or network license server. Two habits prevent the classic emergencies:
- Never store the only license on the laptop that travels. Laptops die and get stolen; license servers and backups do not care.
- Know the 21-day trial rule. A fresh Portal install runs fully for 21 days — enough to survive a stolen-laptop emergency at a customer site, not a licensing strategy.
Version-wise, licenses are backward compatible: a V19 STEP 7 Professional license happily runs V15.1 for that old machine you still maintain.
FAQ
Do I need a license to open and view a project? You can install Portal and browse, but compiling and downloading require the license. For pure diagnostics, the trial window plus online access covers most service visits.
Are simulation licenses separate? PLCSIM basic simulation is included with STEP 7; PLCSIM Advanced (virtual commissioning, co-simulation) is its own product and worth it for serious machine builders.
Zone Otomasyon supplies Siemens software and helps size engineering seats sensibly. Ask before you over-buy.