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FAQe March 2012
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Service & Support

Answers for industry.

Question

This entry originates from the Service&Support Portal of Siemens AG, Sector
Industry, Industry Automation and Drive Technologies. The conditions of use
specified there apply (www.siemens.com/nutzungsbedingungen).
Go to the following link to download this document.
http://support.automation.siemens.com/WW/view/en/22701694

Question
What options are there in WinCC flexible for using a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel as
an OPC server?

Answer
Follow the instructions and notes listed in this document for a detailed answer to
the above question.

WinCC flexible OPC XML

V1.1, Entry ID: 22701694

Contents

Contents
Cover sheet ......................................................................................................... 1
1

Introduction........................................................................................... 4

What are OPC and OPC XML?............................................................ 5

3
3.1
3.2
3.3

OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel ....................... 7

Version A - OPC DA client with OPC XML gateway via COM ............. 7
Version B - OPC DA client with OPC XML gateway via DCOM .......... 9
Version C - OPC XML DA client without OPC XML gateway ............ 10

4
4.1
4.2

Requirements ..................................................................................... 12
Hardware and software requirements ................................................ 12
OPC XML-compatible panels............................................................. 13

5
5.1

Configuration of the different versions ............................................... 14

Configuration of the OPC XML DA server (Multi Panel /
Mobile Panel) ..................................................................................... 14
Configuration of the OPC XML gateway ............................................ 16
Configuration of an OPC DA client with ProTool/Pro......................... 18
Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC flexible .................... 20
Configuration of an OPC DA client with the Microsoft Excel
macro.................................................................................................. 21
Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC................................. 24
Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC................................. 27
Download ........................................................................................... 32

5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8

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1 Introduction

Introduction
Multi Panels and Mobile Panels as from the 270 series can also act optionally as
OPC XML DA servers. Communication via DCOM with the OPC XML DA server of
the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel is not possible, because the realtime operating
system Windows CE has no DCOM interface. Therefore, an OPC XML gateway is
always required for communication between a PC (OPC DA client) and a multi
panel or mobile panel (OPC XML DA server). The OPC XML gateway implements
communication from XML to COM or DCOM.

As from WinCC V6.0, it is also possible to communicate directly via

XML as OPC XML DA client with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel that
is working as an OPC XML DA server.

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2 What are OPC and OPC XML?

What are OPC and OPC XML?

OPC (OLE for Process Control) has become a standard interface family for
connecting together different automation systems via these open interfaces. In
principle, communication via OPC is a server-client form of communication. All
OPC servers have one or more data connections via which the system-specific
data of the automation or visualization system is made available to the OPC server.
The OPC server converts this data in compliance with the OPC standard and
makes it available via the OPC interface.
Other systems working as OPC clients can exchange data with the OPC server via
this common interface.
Data exchange between an OPC DA server and an OPC DA client runs on the
same PC (local) via the COM interface. In the case of different PCs, OPC
communication runs via the DCOM interface of the system.
Figure 2-1

OPC XML (Extensible Markup Language) has been added to OPC. Data exchange
with OPC XML is via the SOAP protocol (Single Object Access Protocol). This
provides platform-independent data exchange and also enables data transfer via
the Internet. The server-client architecture of OPC XML is retained. You need an
OPC XML gateway for exchanging data between an OPC DA client and an OPC
XML DA server.

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2 What are OPC and OPC XML?

Figure 2-2

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3 OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel

OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or

Mobile Panel
There are three ways of using a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel as OPC XML DA
server.

3.1

Version A - OPC DA client with OPC XML gateway via

COM
Communication between a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel (OPC-XML DA server) and
a PC (OPC DA client) is via the OPC XML gateway. In this version, the OPC XML
gateway and the OPC DA client are on the same PC. Data exchange between the
OPC XML gateway and the OPC DA client is via the COM interface of the OPC
XML gateway.
Figure 3-1

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3 OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel

The following SIMATIC visualization systems can communicate as an OPC DA

client via the OPC XML gateway with the OPC XML DA server on the Multi Panel
or Mobile Panel:

ProTool/Pro PC Runtime (as from ProTool/Pro V5.2)

WinCC flexible PC Runtime (as from WinCC flexible 2004 Advanced)

WinCC Runtime (as from WinCC V6.0)

In principle, you can use all automation and visualization components that can
work as an OPC DA client.
Note

An Excel macro is available on the WinCC flexible Installation CD or DVD or

in the download (Attachment 2), which sets up a connection as an OPC DA client
to an OPC DA server or to the OPC XML gateway.

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3 OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel

3.2

Version B - OPC DA client with OPC XML gateway via

DCOM
Communication of a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel (OPC XML DA server) to another
PC is via a so-called gateway PC. In this version, the OPC XML gateway and the
OPC DA client are on separate PCs. Data exchange between the OPC XML
gateway and the OPC DA client on the second PC is via the DCOM interface. The
OPC DA client on the gateway PC is optional.
Figure 3-2

The following SIMATIC visualization systems can communicate as an OPC DA

client via the OPC XML gateway with the OPC XML DA server on the Multi Panel
or Mobile Panel:

ProTool/Pro PC Runtime (as from ProTool/Pro V5.2)

WinCC flexible PC Runtime (as from WinCC flexible 2004 Advanced)

WinCC Runtime (as from WinCC V6.0)

In principle, you can use all automation and visualization components that can
work as an OPC DA client.

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3 OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel

Note

3.3

An Excel macro is available on the WinCC flexible Installation CD or DVD or

in the download (Attachment 2), which sets up a connection as an OPC DA client
to an OPC DA server or to the OPC XML gateway.

Version C - OPC XML DA client without OPC XML

gateway
Communication of a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel (OPC XML DA server) can be
made directly via XML with a WinCC Runtime (OPC XML DA client) as from
WinCC V6.0. In this case, the OPC XML gateway is not needed, because there is
no conversion necessary between the OPC XML DA server and the OPC XML DA
client.
Figure 3-3

The following SIMATIC visualization systems can communicate as an OPC XML

DA client directly with the OPC XML DA server on the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel:

WinCC Runtime (as from WinCC V6.0)

You can use all automation and visualization components that can work as an OPC
XML DA client.

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3 OPC XML versions with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel

Note

In principle, only eight OPC connections are possible with an OPC XML DA
server. You can get around this restriction by using the OPC XML gateway. It is
not possible to use an OPC XML DA client via the OPC XML gateway!

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4 Requirements

Requirements
Below is a list of the software and hardware requirements for the separate
versions.

4.1

Hardware and software requirements

SIMATIC WinCC flexible ES

(for OPC XML DA server as from WinCC flexible 2004 Standard)

License "WinCC flexible / OPC Server for Multi Panels"

(can also be used for Mobile Panels)

OPC XML-compatible panel (see point 3.2)

Ethernet connection between Multi Panel or Mobile Panel and PC

(see Entry ID 13336639)

Versions A and B: at least one PC with OPC XML gateway and OPC DA client
(for example, ProTool/Pro as from V5.2 or WinCC flexible as from version 2004
Advanced)
Note

The OPC XML gateway is one the WinCC flexible Installation CD

or DVD. Information on installing the OPC XML gateway is
available in point 4.2.

Version C: one PC as OPC XML DA client (e.g. SIMATIC WinCC as from V6.0)
Check the compatibility between the versions of WinCC flexible and the
Microsoft Windows operating systems in Entry ID 22055368. This also applies
for all other visualization software products that you use with the OPC XML DA
server of WinCC flexible.

Note

The table below shows which SIMATIC visualization software is supported by

which OPC servers and clients.
Table 4-1
Server

PC Runtime

Client

OPC DA

OPC XML DA

OPC DA

OPC XML DA

ProTool/PRO PC Runtime

X2)

--

X2)

--

WinCC flexible PC
Runtime

--

--

WinCC PC Runtime

X1)

X1)

Excel-Makro 3)

--

--

--

--

--

--

Multi Panel / Mobile Panel

with

WinCC flexible
Runtime
1)

12

WinCC V6.0 onwards

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4 Requirements

4.2

2)

ProTool/Pro V5.2 onwards

3)

Excel macro in the download (Attachment 2)

OPC XML-compatible panels

MP270B

MP277

MP370

MP377

Mobile Panel 277

Mobile Panel 277 IWLAN

Mobile Panel 277F IWLAN

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5 Configuration of the different versions

Configuration of the different versions

This entry describes how to configure a PC (OPC DA client) with WinCC,
ProTool/Pro and WinCC flexible in conjunction with a Multi Panel (OPC XML DA
server) in the versions shown above. Configuration with a Mobile Panel is identical.

5.1

Configuration of the OPC XML DA server (Multi Panel /

Mobile Panel)
Only Multi Panels and Mobile Panels as from the 270 series can be configured as
OPC XML DA servers.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

Table 5-1
No.
1.

Procedure
Information on the OPC XML DA server
Configuration of the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel as OPC XML DA server is
identical for all versions.
Note

The OPC server for the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel is always an OPC XML
DA server.

The OPC communication with a Multi Panel or Mobile Panel as OPC XML
DA server can only be implemented via Industrial Ethernet.

Multi Panels and Mobile Panels can only be used as OPC XML DA servers,
not as OPC DA clients or OPC XML DA clients.

WinCC flexible Runtime must be started on the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel
with the OPC XML DA server so that the OPC XML DA server is activated.

2.

WinCC flexible OPC XML

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Procedure for configuring the OPC XML DA server

Open the WinCC flexible project in which the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel is
configured.

Configure the interface to the controller (e.g. S7 300/400) in "Communication

> Connections".

Create an "INT" data type tag ("Tag_1"), for example, in "Communication >
Tag".

Double-click "Device settings" in the project window.

Activate the "Act as OPC server" option in "Services in Runtime".

Transfer the WinCC flexible project to the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

5.2

Configuration of the OPC XML gateway

Table 5-2
No.
1.

Procedure
Configuration and installation of the OPC XML gateway
The OPC XML gateway is informed of the IP address of the OPC XML DA server
via the setting for the OPC XML manager on the PC.
The settings are required in the two configuration versions A and B.
Note:
You can also use multiple OPC XML gateways on multiple PCs for
communication between an OPC XML DA server and multiple OPC DA clients.
WinCC flexible 2004:

Copy the program "OPCXmlManager.exe" from the directory

"\Disk2\Support\OPCXML" on the installation CD into a directory of your
choice on the relevant PC.
As of WinCC flexible 2005:

The Setup for installing the "OPC XML Gateway" is on the WinCC flexible
CD 2 under "WinCCflexible\setup\OPCXMLWrapper\Disk1".

Double-click on the "Setup.exe" file.

Under "Language", select the interface language of the Setup program.

Select "Installation" to start the installation.

Run the installation following the instructions on the monitor.

2.

16

Opening the OPC XML manager

WinCC flexible 2004:

Open the "OPC XML Manager" in your chosen directory by double-clicking

on "OPCXmlManager.exe". In the OPC XML Manager click on the "Add..."
button (see Fig. 07).
WinCC flexible 2005:

In the "Start" menu, select the program "SIMATIC > WinCC flexible > WinCC
flexible Runtime > XmlMuxConfig". In the OPC XML Manager click on the
"Add..." button (see Fig. 07).
As from WinCC flexible 2007:

In the "Start" menu, select the program "SIMATIC > OPC-XML Gateway >
OPC XML Manager". In the OPC XML Manager click on the "Add..." button
(see Fig. 07).

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.
3.

Procedure
Add the prefix and host name
WinCC flexible 2004:

Enter the host name or the IP address (such as 150.150.150.20).

Confirm the input with the "OK" button.

Close the OPC XML manager.

Open "OpcXml Settings" in the "Control Panel".

Enter the computer name or the IP address of the operator panel.

Close "OpcXml-Settings" with "OK".

As from WinCC flexible 2005:

Enter the prefix ("Prefix" for example) and host name or IP address (such as
150.150.150.20).
Explanation of parameters:
[Prefix] The prefix specifies which OPC XML DA server the tag is assigned
too.
[Host Name] Device name or IP address of the OPC XML DA server.

Confirm the input with the "OK" button. Close the OPC XML manager.
Note:
You can incorporate several OPC XML DA servers via the OPC XML Manager.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

5.3

Configuration of an OPC DA client with ProTool/Pro

The following procedure is for versions A and B. Configuration of ProTool/Pro as
OPC DA client is possible as from V5.2.
Table 5-3
No.

18

Procedure

1.

Open the ProTool project

Open a ProTool/Pro PC project.

Select "Controllers" and double-click on the existing controller in order to

open the Properties dialog.

Select "OPC V6.0" as the protocol - for ProTool/Pro V6.0 - and then open
the "Parameters...".

2.

Version A - OPC XML gateway on

the same PC

Version B - OPC XML gateway on a

separate PC

Select the OPC server

If you have installed the OPX XML
gateway on a separate PC, then you
can skip this step and go directly to
Step 3.

Select "OPC.Siemens.XML" as
OPC server.

Click on "OK" to close the dialogs.

Select the OPC server

If you have installed the OPX XML
gateway on the same PC, then you
can skip this step and go directly to
Step 4.

Select "OPC.Siemens.XML" as
the OPC server and specify the IP
address of the PC with an installed
OPC gateway ("Start the server on
this computer:").

Click on "OK" to close the dialogs.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

3.

Procedure

Create tags
Once the OPC connection has been configured, you can create tags.
If the OPC server is activated on the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel (Runtime is
started on the panel), you can use "Browse" in the Tag dialog to access the OPC
server tags.
Note:
If you are also using a gateway PC, then there must also be network connection
between the gateway PC and the configuration PC when tag browsing.
Otherwise, you can also use the following syntax for the OPC items:
[Prefix]:Win CC Flexible RT <@>[tag]
Example:
DEVICE_1:Win CC Flexible RT<@>Test.VAR_1

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

Procedure
Note:
If you make changes to the configurations, e.g. add or change tags, you have to
transfer the changed configuration to the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel before you
can subsequently access the changed or extended tags.

5.4

Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC flexible

A detailed description of how to configure versions A and B of OPC XML with
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and WinCC flexible is available in
Entry ID 25677751.

20

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5 Configuration of the different versions

5.5

Configuration of an OPC DA client with the Microsoft

Excel macro
Proceed as follows for versions A and B.
Table 5-4
No.
1.

Procedure
Open the Excel macro
The Excel macro is located in Attachment 2 that you can download at the end of
this entry.

Download the compressed file in Attachment 2.

Unpack the compressed file.

Open the "OPC-Client_V1_1.xls" file with MS Excel.

Note:
In order to be able to use the Excel macro, you must activate the reference to
"Siemens OPC DA Automation 2.0" in the menu "Tools > References..." in the
Visual Basic Editor of Microsoft Excel. If this reference is not registered, you
cannot use the Excel macro on the PC.

2.

Define OPC server name, IP address and group name

For "Server Name" (1) you specify the OPC DA server or OPC XML DA
server "OPC.Siemens.XML".
Version A:

As an option (2), you specify the IP address "127.0.0.1" or the name

"localhost".
Note:
Seeing that the OPC XML gateway is located on the same PC, the system
does not require you to specify the IP address.
Version B:

Specify the IP address (2) of where the OPC XML gateway is installed.
Versions A and B:
A group name is not required for communication with the OPC XML DA server.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

3.

Procedure

Define tags

Create all the relevant tags or OPC item using the following syntax:
[Prefix]:Win CC Flexible RT<@>[Tag]
Tag
WinCC flexible 2004:
WinCC flexible 2008:

Folder.Variable
Folder\Variable

Example
WinCC flexible 2004: DEVICE_1:Win CC Flexible RT<@>TEST.Var_1
WinCC flexible 2008: DEVICE_1:Win CC Flexible RT<@>TEST\Var_1

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.
4.

Procedure
Start/stop the OPC DA connection

Click on the "Start" button to establish the OPC DA connection to the OPC
XML gateway.
Note:
If the connection to the OPC XML gateway has been established and there
is a connection to the OPC XML DA server, you can change the tags both in
Excel and on the OPC XML DA server.

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Click on the "Stop" button to disconnect the OPC DA connection to the OPC
XML gateway.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

5.6

Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC

Proceed as follows for versions A and B.
Table 5-5
No.

24

Procedure

1.

Open the project and add an OPC driver

Open the WinCC project and right-click on "Tag Management" to add the
"OPC.chn" driver.

2.

Version A - OPC XML gateway on

the same PC

Version B - OPC XML gateway on a

separate PC

Add connection
If you have installed the OPX XML
gateway on a separate PC, then you
can skip this step and go directly to
Step 3.

Then right-click on the OPC

channel to add a new connection.

The OPC server name

"OPC.Siemens.XML" must be
specified in the general properties
for the connection.
Note:
Do not select the property "XML DA
server"!

Add connection
If you have installed the OPX XML
gateway on the same PC, then you
can skip this step and go directly to
Step 4.

Then right-click on the OPC

channel to add a new connection.

The OPC server name

"OPC.Siemens.XML" and the IP
address of the PC with an installed
OPC XML gateway must be
specified in the general properties
("Start the server on this
computer:").
Note:
Do not select the property "XML DA
server"!

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

3.

Procedure

Create tags
Once the connection has been configured, you can create tags in the "Tag" tab.
Set the data type first of all. Then click "Select" to specify the item name for the
tag. Here, you must observe the following syntax:
[Prefix]:Win CC Flexible RT<@>[Variable]
Tag
WinCC flexible 2004: Folder.Variable
WinCC flexible 2008: Folder\Variable
Example
WinCC flexible 2008: DEVICE_1:Win CC Flexible RT<@>Test.VAR_1
WinCC flexible 2008: DEVICE_1:Win CC Flexible RT<@>TEST\Var_1

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

26

Procedure

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5.7

Configuration of an OPC DA client with WinCC

The following procedure is for version C and is possible as from WinCC V6.0.
Table 5-6
No.

Procedure

1.

Open the WinCC flexible project

Open a WinCC project (as from WinCC V6.0).

Add a new driver under "Tag Management".

2.

Add an OPC driver

Select the driver "OPC.chn".

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.

28

Procedure

3.

Configure a connection

Now right-click on the OPC channel to add a new connection.

4.

Add a connection name

Assign a name to this connection.

Then click on the "Properties" of this connection.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.
5.

Procedure
Activate the XML DA server

Select the property "XML DA server".

For "OPC Server Name" you enter the following URL:

http://IP address of the Multi Panel/soap/OpcXml
Example:
http://169.254.247.170/soap/OpcXml

6.

Click "OK" to apply the settings.

Open the System Parameters of the OPC channel

Right-click the OPC channel to open the "System Parameters".

=> The "OPC Item Manager" opens.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

No.
7.

Procedure
Add an OPC web server

Add a new "OPC web server".

Assign the URL web address that you assigned in Step 5, see Fig. 23:
http://IP address of the Multi Panel/soap/OpcXml
Example:
http://169.254.247.170/soap/OpcXml

8.

30

Acknowledge the setting with the "OK" button.

Open the tag browser

Click on the "URL address" set previously in the "OPC item manager".

Select the "Browse Server" button.

Then click on "Next" in the dialog that opens.

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No.
9.

Procedure
Add tags
If the OPC server is activated on the Multi Panel or Mobile Panel and Runtime is
started on the panel, you can now access the OPC XML DA server tags.

Note:
The tags are now available for further processing in WinCC.

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5 Configuration of the different versions

5.8

Download
The attached download contains an archived STEP 7 project with an MP370 Touch
as OPC XML DA server, a ProTool PC station (OPC DA client) and a WinCC
flexible PC station (OPC DA client).

Program description
Using the ProTool or WinCC flexible PC station configuration, you can access the
tags of the MP370 Touch configuration via the OPC XML manager.
The MP370 Touch has been displayed "symbolically" in the PC runtime in order to
illustrate how this works.
Figure 5-1

Table 5-7
Plant

Download

1.

OPC_XML_Project.zip

2.

OPC_Client_V1_1.zip
Attachment 2 contains the Excel macro described, which sets up a connection
as an OPC DA client to an OPC DA server or to the OPC XML gateway via
COM or DCOM.

Runnability and test environment

The following table lists the components that have been used to create this entry
and verify the functions described.

32

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Table 5-8, release 28.05.2009

Component

Product and version designation

PC operating system

Microsoft Windows XP SP2

Standard tools

STEP 7 V5.3 SP3

Office Tools

Microsoft Excel 2003

Engineering tools

--

HMI software

ProTool/Pro V6.0 SP3

WinCC flexible 2005

HMI devices

PC & MP370

Controllers

--

Tabelle 5-9, release 28.03.2012

Component

Product and version designation

PC operating system

Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1

Standard tools

STEP 7 V5.5 SP3

Office Tools

Microsoft Excel 2007

Engineering tools

--

HMI software

WinCC flexible 2008 SP2

HMI devices

PC & MP377 Key

Controllers

--

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