Virtual Client — Siemens

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

Introduction

Siemens Virtual Client (SVC) is a software solution developed by Siemens AG, a German multinational conglomerate. SVC is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that enables users to access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device, while maintaining high performance, security, and reliability.

Overview

Siemens Virtual Client is designed to provide a seamless and secure user experience, allowing users to access their virtual desktops and applications from various devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones. SVC supports various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Key Features

Some of the key features of Siemens Virtual Client include:

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI): SVC provides a centralized and virtualized desktop environment, allowing users to access their desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device.
Device Independence: Users can access their virtual desktops and applications from various devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
High-Performance Graphics: SVC supports high-performance graphics, making it suitable for graphics-intensive applications, such as computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering.
Security: SVC provides robust security features, including encryption, authentication, and access control, to ensure that user data is protected.
Scalability: SVC is designed to scale to meet the needs of large enterprises, supporting thousands of users and devices.

Benefits

The benefits of using Siemens Virtual Client include:

Increased Productivity: Users can access their virtual desktops and applications from anywhere, on any device, increasing productivity and flexibility.
Improved Security: SVC provides robust security features, reducing the risk of data breaches and cyber-attacks.
Reduced Costs: SVC can help reduce costs associated with hardware and software maintenance, as well as energy consumption.
Enhanced Collaboration: SVC enables users to collaborate more effectively, regardless of their location or device.

Use Cases

Siemens Virtual Client is suitable for various industries and use cases, including:

Manufacturing: SVC can be used to provide virtual desktops and applications to manufacturing engineers, designers, and operators.
Healthcare: SVC can be used to provide secure and compliant access to electronic health records (EHRs) and medical applications.
Energy and Utilities: SVC can be used to provide virtual desktops and applications to engineers, operators, and technicians in the energy and utilities sector.

Conclusion

Siemens Virtual Client is a powerful and flexible VDI solution that provides a seamless and secure user experience. With its high-performance graphics, robust security features, and scalability, SVC is suitable for various industries and use cases. As the trend towards remote work and digital transformation continues to grow, Siemens Virtual Client is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of enterprises.

Sources

Siemens AG. (2022). Siemens Virtual Client. Retrieved from https://www.siemens.com/global/en/products/software/siemens-virtual-client.html
VMware. (2022). Siemens Virtual Client Datasheet. Retrieved from https://www.vmware.com/content/dam/vmware/en_US/company/partners/siemens-virtual-client-datasheet.pdf

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

Siemens Virtual Client Review: A Comprehensive and Flexible Solution siemens virtual client

As a IT professional, I had the opportunity to work with the Siemens Virtual Client, and I must say that it has been a game-changer for our organization. In this review, I'll share my experience with the product, highlighting its features, benefits, and areas for improvement.

Overview

The Siemens Virtual Client is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that provides a secure, scalable, and flexible way to access and manage desktop environments. It allows users to access their virtual desktops from anywhere, on any device, while maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive data.

Key Features

Centralized Management: The Siemens Virtual Client provides a centralized management console that allows administrators to easily manage and monitor user sessions, configure settings, and troubleshoot issues.
High-Performance Graphics: The solution supports high-performance graphics, making it ideal for graphics-intensive applications such as CAD, engineering, and design.
Multi-Device Support: Users can access their virtual desktops from a variety of devices, including laptops, tablets, smartphones, and thin clients.
Security: The Siemens Virtual Client provides robust security features, including encryption, secure authentication, and access controls.
Scalability: The solution is highly scalable, supporting thousands of users and devices.

Benefits

Improved Security: The Siemens Virtual Client provides an additional layer of security by keeping sensitive data and applications centralized and secure.
Increased Flexibility: Users can access their virtual desktops from anywhere, on any device, at any time.
Reduced Costs: The solution helps reduce costs associated with hardware, software, and IT support.
Enhanced Collaboration: The Siemens Virtual Client enables teams to collaborate more effectively, regardless of their location.

User Experience

I was impressed with the user experience of the Siemens Virtual Client. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with minimal latency or lag. Users can access their virtual desktops quickly and easily, and the solution supports a wide range of applications and peripherals.

Areas for Improvement

Complexity: The Siemens Virtual Client can be complex to set up and configure, requiring significant IT expertise.
Cost: The solution can be expensive, especially for large-scale deployments.

Conclusion

Overall, I highly recommend the Siemens Virtual Client to organizations looking for a secure, flexible, and scalable VDI solution. While it may require significant upfront investment and IT expertise, the benefits of the solution far outweigh the costs. With its robust security features, high-performance graphics, and multi-device support, the Siemens Virtual Client is an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes.

Rating: 4.5/5

Recommendation: I recommend the Siemens Virtual Client to:

Large enterprises with complex IT environments
Organizations with high-security requirements
Teams that require high-performance graphics and collaboration tools

Not recommended for:

Small businesses with limited IT resources
Organizations with simple IT environments

The Siemens Virtual Client primarily refers to the use of SIMATIC PCS 7 OS Clients within a virtualized infrastructure. This approach decouples the operating system and software from physical hardware, allowing multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single, high-performance host server. Core Benefits of Virtualization

Implementing a virtualized client environment offers several operational and financial advantages: The Power of the Digital Twin: Revolutionizing Manufacturing

Cost Efficiency: Reduces hardware expenses by consolidating multiple physical stations into a single server.

Maintenance & Support: Centralizes updates, backups, and administrative tasks, significantly reducing the time required for system upkeep.

Flexibility: New virtual clients can be added quickly by starting a new session on the hypervisor, such as VMware ESXi.

Resource Optimization: Low-power, cost-effective hardware, like Thin Clients, can be used to access the virtual machines. System Requirements & Supported Platforms

To ensure stable and tested operation, Siemens defines specific hardware and software standards: PCS7 V7.1 Virtualization - Prepared VM builds - SiePortal

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 |

Limitations and challenges

Initial hardware and GPU costs can be high.
Some specialized hardware dongles or peripherals may be hard to virtualize.
Latency-sensitive workflows (real-time control) may still need local execution.
Requires careful license management and vendor coordination.

Key benefits

Centralized management: Applications, updates, and licenses managed centrally, reducing IT overhead.
Reduced client hardware requirements: Run demanding engineering apps on lower-spec endpoints via server-side execution.
Improved security: Data and IP remain on corporate servers; endpoints receive only rendered UI and input.
Consistent environment: Standardized application versions and configurations across users.
Flexible access: Supports remote work, multi-site collaboration, and controlled third‑party access.

The Future: Siemens Virtual Client and Industrial Edge

Looking ahead, Siemens is blending the Virtual Client with its Industrial Edge concept. Imagine an SVC thin client that can switch modes: In "Virtual Mode," it connects to the central data center. In "Edge Mode," it runs local containerized apps (like predictive maintenance dashboards) directly on the thin client’s hardware when the network is down.

This hybrid approach—centralized management with distributed execution—represents the next evolution of the Siemens Virtual Client.

Licensing Models: Pay-as-you-Grow

One of the most attractive features of the Siemens Virtual Client is the shift in licensing.

Traditionally, buying a perpetual license for TIA Portal, Step7, and WinCC for 100 engineers costs millions upfront. With SVC, Siemens introduced "Concurrent Usage" licensing via the Siemens License Server.

Scenario: You have 500 engineers but only 200 are working simultaneously.
Result: You buy 200 virtual licenses. When Engineer A logs off at 5 PM, the license returns to the pool for Engineer B on the night shift.

Furthermore, Siemens offers Leased Licenses (month-to-month) specifically for the Virtual Client environment. This turns CapEx into OpEx, a massive benefit for project-based manufacturing.

4. Disaster Recovery

If a physical engineering workstation dies, the engineer can walk to any other thin client, log in, and resume work exactly where they left off (session persistence). Downtime drops from hours to seconds.

2. Key Components & Technologies

Several Siemens technologies and partnerships coalesce into what could be called a “virtual client” ecosystem:

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.

Siemens Virtual Client vs. Traditional RDP

Many engineers ask: "Why not just use Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)?"

While RDP works for basic tasks, the Siemens Virtual Client is optimized for industrial visualization. TIA Portal and WinCC are graphically intensive, requiring low latency and high frame rates for smooth operation of HMI simulations. SVC leverages protocols like PCoIP (PC over IP) or HDX (High Definition Experience) from Teradici/Citrix, which are superior to standard RDP when dealing with real-time 3D visualizations, alarms, and trending charts. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) : SVC provides a