The "Siemens Virtual Client" is not a single standalone product but a key architectural feature found in Siemens' virtualization and remote operation solutions , notably within SIMATIC Virtualization as a Service (SIVaaS) and syngo Virtual Cockpit . It allows users to access high-performance desktops, control systems, or medical scanners from energy-saving, low-cost "thin clients" or standard web browsers. Key Features and Capabilities Centralized Resource Management : Processing power and data storage are consolidated on a central server, allowing multiple virtual clients to share hardware resources efficiently. Hardware Independence : Users can access the Siemens environment (like the TIA Selection Tool ) from any device, including personal laptops or dedicated industrial thin clients. Zero Trust Security : Recent implementations integrate with Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop to enforce strict security and clear separation between professional and private data. Remote Expertise (Medical) : In medical settings, the syngo Virtual Cockpit allows experts to remotely operate or assist with scanners (MRI, CT, PET) at multiple locations simultaneously. Reduced Operational Costs : By using thin clients rather than full workstations, organizations save on energy, investment costs, and long-term maintenance. Optimized Performance : Features like "Dirty Region Tracking" ensure that only modified screen sections are transmitted over the network, reducing bandwidth usage for mobile or remote connections. Common Use Cases syngo Virtual Cockpit - Siemens Healthineers USA
The Siemens Virtual Client is a cornerstone of modern industrial digital transformation, bridging the gap between traditional operational technology (OT) and advanced information technology (IT) . By decoupling industrial software from physical hardware, it enables organizations to achieve unprecedented flexibility, security, and efficiency in their automation environments. Whether you are managing a SIMATIC PCS 7 system or implementing Windows 365 virtual workstations, understanding the virtual client ecosystem is essential for future-proofing your facilities. What is a Siemens Virtual Client? At its core, a virtual client is a software-based interface that allows users to access industrial applications—such as HMI (Human Machine Interface), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), or engineering systems—running on a centralized server. Instead of installing resource-heavy software on every local PC on the factory floor, the software runs within a Virtual Machine (VM) . Operators then use a "thin client" or a standard laptop to connect to these VMs via a remote connection. Key Benefits of Virtualization in Industry The shift from physical to virtual clients offers several strategic advantages: Reduced Footprint: Virtualization can lead to up to 80% less space required for hardware and up to 75% energy savings . High Availability: Through "hyperconverged" infrastructure, workloads can automatically shift if a server fails, ensuring your systems remain operational without interruption. Simplified Maintenance: Updates and security patches can be applied centrally to a few server images rather than dozens of individual workstations. Extended Lifecycle: By decoupling software from hardware, you can run legacy operating systems on modern, high-performance servers, avoiding the "hardware-bound" obsolescence of older PCs. Core Solutions and Use Cases 1. SIMATIC Virtualization as a Service (SIVaaS) SIMATIC Virtualization as a Service (V1.1 SP1)
The Power of the Digital Twin: Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Siemens Virtual Client Technology In today’s fast-paced industrial landscape, the gap between a design on a screen and a finished part on the shop floor can feel like a chasm. Unexpected collisions, programming errors, and physical setup delays often eat into profit margins. Siemens is bridging this gap with its virtual client ecosystem—specifically through tools like Create MyVirtual Machine and Run MyVirtual Machine —transforming how we approach CNC machining and automation. What is a Siemens Virtual Client? At its core, a Siemens virtual client is more than just a simulator; it’s a high-fidelity Digital Twin . While traditional simulations might show basic movements, Siemens' virtual machine software incorporates the actual "brain" of the CNC, using the real virtual NC kernel and PLC logic. This means that what you see on your virtual workstation is a one-to-one digital representation of how the physical machine will behave in the real world. Key Benefits of Going Virtual Virtual Commissioning: By testing and debugging PLC code and automation logic in a digital environment, manufacturers can significantly reduce the time required for physical startup and avoid costly mistakes during ramp-up. Precision and Safety: With the 3D option in Run MyVirtual Machine , users can visualize the machine body's movements and set up complex jobs with vices, tool holders, and clamps before ever touching the physical machine. Seamless Cloud Integration: Modern manufacturing is moving to the cloud. Platforms like NX manufacturing allow users to access the latest software releases and collaborate with partners through shared data links, ensuring everyone works from a single source of truth. Zero Trust Security: For IT specialists, Siemens now provides virtual workstations using Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop . This setup allows for rapid scaling and meets strict security requirements, giving remote teams secure access to high-performance engineering tools. Who is it For? How the Digital Twin is transforming CNC parts manufacturing
Report: Siemens Virtual Client – Enabling Industrial Edge and Remote Engineering Date: [Current Date] Author: AI Research Assistant Subject: Analysis of Siemens’ Virtual Client Concept within Industrial Automation and Digital Enterprise 1. Executive Summary The term "Siemens Virtual Client" does not refer to a single, standalone product. Instead, it encompasses several virtualization and remote access solutions provided by Siemens AG, primarily aimed at industrial environments. These solutions allow users to access engineering software (e.g., TIA Portal, SIMATIC WinCC), control systems, or virtualized controllers from a thin client or remote workstation. The core objectives are: reducing on-site hardware maintenance, enabling remote engineering, centralizing data security, and supporting flexible work models in Industry 4.0. 2. Key Components & Technologies Several Siemens technologies and partnerships coalesce into what could be called a “virtual client” ecosystem: siemens virtual client
SIMATIC Virtualization as a Service (VaaS): Allows running automation software (e.g., PLC programming, HMI) in virtual machines (Hyper-V or VMware). An engineer can connect to these VMs from a lightweight client device. SIMATIC WinCC (WebUX & Cloud Connectors): Enables web-based access to HMI/SCADA systems, effectively turning any browser into a virtual client for monitoring and operation. Industrial Edge Computing: The SIMATIC Edge ecosystem virtualizes data processing and analytics near machines. Clients (e.g., Edge Devices) act as virtual endpoints for cloud-to-field communication. Thin Client Solutions: Siemens partners with IGEL and 10ZiG to provide thin clients that connect to backend virtualized Siemens engineering workstations hosted on VMware Horizon, Citrix, or Microsoft AVD.
3. Primary Use Cases | Use Case | Description | Benefit | |----------|-------------|---------| | Remote Engineering | A programmer connects from a home office to a virtual TIA Portal instance hosted in a secure data center. | No need to carry powerful laptops or travel to site. | | Centralized License Management | Software licenses reside on the virtual server; clients check them out dynamically. | Reduces license conflicts and theft risk. | | Operator Mobility | Factory floor operators use rugged tablets as virtual clients to view WinCC dashboards. | Improves mobility and real-time decision making. | | Disaster Recovery | Virtual clients connect to redundant VM hosts; if one host fails, sessions migrate seamlessly. | Minimizes production downtime. | 4. Benefits
Hardware Independence: Older or low-spec thin clients can run latest Siemens engineering software. Security: No process data or project files stored on the local client device (reduces IP theft risk). Scalability: Add new virtual engineering workstations without purchasing physical PCs. Maintenance Reduction: Patch, update, or reimage a single VM image instead of dozens of physical PCs. The "Siemens Virtual Client" is not a single
5. Challenges & Limitations
Real-Time Constraints: Virtualization may introduce latency. For hard real-time control (e.g., SIMATIC S7-1500 with <1 ms cycle time), virtual clients are typically not used directly; they control physical PLCs via network. Network Dependency: Requires robust, low-latency LAN/WAN (e.g., 1 GbE, ideally with QoS). Factory network outages disable all clients. Licensing Complexity: Siemens software licensing in virtual environments requires specific handling (e.g., hardware-bound vs. VM-bound licenses). Legacy Protocol Support: Older fieldbuses (PROFIBUS) are not virtualizable; gateways or dedicated hardware remain necessary.
6. Comparison with Competitors | Feature | Siemens Virtual Client (Ecosystem) | Rockwell Automation (ThinManager) | Schneider Electric (EcoStruxure) | |---------|-------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Primary Virtualization Partner | Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware | Microsoft RDS, Citrix | VMware, Stratix | | Industrial Thin Client OS | Windows IoT, IGEL OS | Windows, ThinManager Ready | Windows, Linux-based | | Deep PLC Integration | Yes (TIA Portal + VaaS) | Moderate (RSLogix VMs) | Yes (Control Expert VMs) | | Edge Native Virtual Clients | SIMATIC Edge | FactoryTalk Edge | EcoStruxure Edge | 7. Implementation Recommendations For a company considering a Siemens Virtual Client architecture: Hardware Independence : Users can access the Siemens
Assess real-time needs: Move only HMI, SCADA, and engineering workloads to virtual clients; keep deterministic PLC logic on dedicated hardware. Select appropriate remote protocol: Use PCoIP (VMware) or RDP with GPU acceleration for graphics-intensive WinCC projects. Plan network redundancy: Deploy separate OT network segments and consider 5G/TSN for low-latency remote access. Pilot a non-critical line: Start with a small cell (e.g., packaging machine) before factory-wide rollout.
8. Future Outlook (2025–2030) Siemens is actively moving toward “virtual PLCs” and digital twins accessible via generic clients. The acquisition of Aveva (now combined software) and expansion of the Siemens Xcelerator platform suggests that the “virtual client” will evolve into a browser-based, zero-install portal for the entire industrial lifecycle – from design to maintenance. 9. Conclusion The Siemens Virtual Client is not a boxed product but a strategic combination of virtualization, edge computing, and remote access technologies. It offers tangible benefits for remote engineering, centralized management, and operational flexibility. However, it is not a replacement for real-time control hardware. Companies should adopt it selectively, starting with supervisory and engineering tasks, and plan network infrastructure accordingly.