Hello;

The evolution of Step 7 programming software followed the introduction of different hardware platforms. Uou can see these in the following link, among others:

https://control.com/technical-articles/siemens-simatic-plcs-hardware-history/

The S7-300 family was first introduced around 1979, along with Step 7 v4.0.This original Step 7 required Windows NT3.5 or NT4.0, which required most programmers to purchase new PCs with enough RAM (8 MB, if I remember well) to run the software. Eventually, Step 7 v5.x  still in use today, was used to program S7-300 and S7-400 PLCs, and also the Siemens DCS (based on redundant S7-400s)  PCS 7.

Around 1996 Siemens introduced S7-1200 PLCs, and a bit later S7-1500s. TIA Portal was introduced at the same time. TIA refers to Totally Integrated Autonation, with which Siemens wanted to offer s dingle software family to program PLCs, HMIs, configure drives, etc.. 

 At first, Siemens marketed TIA Portal Basic (Step 7 and WinCC v10.5) to program S7-1200 PLCs and Basic HMIs..With the introduction of S7-1500  CPUs, they also set up Step 7 (and WinCC) Professional, now at v18. This version of Step 7 can program S7-300,  S7-400,  S7-1200 ans S7-1500 CPU, while WunCC v18 can program all levels of Siemens HMIs (those that are still marketed): Basic, Comfort and PC-based SCADA, Advanced/Professional

The time-line of classic WinCC development is more complex, as the original WinCC SCADA, now at v7.x,, is still being developped, and can be purchased as v7.8 today. This version of WinCC is also part of the latest PCS 7 package, which means Siemens will still be working on it for the known future. The original HMI-orogramming siftware from the that era was WinCC Flexible, discontinued now since the HMI hardware if that tome are no longer produced 

Note that PCS 7 is still recognized as the most powerful process control system developped by Siemens, using Step 7 v5.8 today, TIA Portal does not offer yet the same type of redundant process control programming. As long as PCS 7 is part of Siemens portfolio,Step 7 v.5.x or newer versions and WinCC classic will be required, and will be remain

available.

Hope this helps 

Daniel Chartie

dchartier

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The S7-300 family was first introduced around 1979 1994, 
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Around 1996 2009 Siemens introduced S7-1200 PLCs, 
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Daniel Chartier

Mr. Chartier, thank you for your valid assessment. Typing text on a mobile phone in a foreign language surely is not an easy task. I wonder when will AI be able to put in text what we say in our version of English.

AutoGen_2379672

Hello everyone,

I have unclear questions about Siemens software.

1. Difference between Simatic manager and tia portal? At the same time, which one is more current and has a brighter future? Is Simatic manager an old software? Will Siemens cut its support?

2. Do the same questions above apply to classic wincc and tia wincc?

Thanks for your help

A focussed answer is more likely if you specify a bit more of what your use case is. Attempting to use the 'newest' has the downside that it may be a platform that is not stable.

Siemens is putting most of their new design efforts into TIA Portal. "TIA Portal" refer to the framework that plays host to several other functional units. Step7 and WinCC are two well known modules.

The next kid on the block is "WinCC Unified". The HMIs that fall under the WinCC (TIA Portal) banner is not actively developed anymore. WinCC Unified was first seen in V17 of TIA Portal. It is not clear if the bug reports will calm down with V19 (release December 2023?).

Stepping away from the older Simatic Manager framework may not be as easy if one needs to keep servicing systems developed in that design platform. It is not possible to simply upload an S7-300 programmed by Step7 V5.x, with Step7 V1x in TIA Portal. Conversions from a classic software version to a TIA Portal version is done offline and needs both pieces of software installed.

AutoGen_2379672

So this is what I understand?

Smatic manager and classic wincc are still up-to-date software and necessary software for pc7.

My other question is this. What software do you think someone who has made a project with tia v15.1, v16, v17, v18, wincc classic should install on his computer?

Because dozens of versions and dozens of add-ons (simulations, drivers, etc.) mean a lot of storage space. In this case, how do you, experienced programmers, proceed?

A gun for hire needs to have all the software. Having Step7 V5.6 is good enough for most situations where Step7 Classic projects is concerned. Step7 in TIA Portal is a problem.

An upload from a PLC loaded with Step7 (TIA Portal) needs the version which loaded it. Luckily the license for one version of Step7 V1x permits the use of older versions of Step7 V1x. For Step7 the 'Professional' tier is needed when working with all CPU types. Installation of different versions of Step7 is allowed.

Scada software is a different problem. Different versions of WinCC Professional cannot be loaded in the same Windows session. The HMI versions WinCC Advanced is not a problem.

What is your aim?