By moving from hardware to software, companies can deploy, scale, and maintain controllers with the same ease as IT applications.
Virtual clients are not just a cost-saving tactic. They are a strategic enabler for , talent retention (engineers want remote flexibility), and cybersecurity in the OT space.
Because the software runs in a virtual environment, it is completely decoupled from the physical hardware on the plant floor. siemens virtual client
[ Centralized Server Cluster / Data Center ] │── Runs Hypervisor (e.g., VMware vSphere) │── Hosts Virtual Machines (WinCC, TIA Portal, PCS 7) └── Centrally Managed Storage (SAN/NAS) ▲ │ Secure Industrial Ethernet (PROFINET/LAN) ▼ [ Factory Floor Terminal Stations ] │── SIMATIC Industrial Thin Clients (ITC) └── Peripherals (Mice, Keyboards, Touchscreens, Barcode Scanners) Use code with caution.
A global automotive supplier implemented Siemens Virtual Clients on rugged tablets connected to 5G. Maintenance staff walk the plant floor, pull up the exact HMI screen for the machine in front of them, and modify ladder logic—all while the heavy processing happens in a server rack three floors up. By moving from hardware to software, companies can
This strategy is used in the automotive industry for testing and validating assembly processes prior to physical installation. For instance, machine builder Heinrich Georg used SINUMERIK ONE virtual commissioning to develop and validate a new controller configuration before the real hardware was available, building a digital prototype in just five days.
Audi is a pioneering example, having deployed virtual PLCs in its production lines for the e-tron GT and, more recently, the Lamborghini body shop, using a TÜV-certified safety variant. This demonstrates the viability and advantages of virtualized production in high-stakes environments. Because the software runs in a virtual environment,
A native PLC that runs on standard hardware (like IPCs or VMware) without needing dedicated physical controllers.
Understanding Siemens Virtual Client: The Ultimate Guide to Industrial Workstation Virtualization
Simulating grid control systems and automation for power plants. Siemens Virtual Client in the Age of Digital Twins