Siemens has introduced TIA Portal Version 20, focusing on enhancing performance and efficiency for users. The new version is designed to improve time-to-market, competitiveness, and adaptability in rapidly changing markets by integrating new programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and simplifying processes for engineers.
Rainer Brehm, CEO of Factory Automation at Siemens, stated: “Fully integrated automation as offered in the TIA portfolio is the foundation for expanding toward software-defined automation. With TIA Portal Version 20, users can boost the performance across the board and leverage the most modern functionalities of PLCs – including AI, integrated testing and enhanced security.”
The latest version addresses challenges in industrial production performance across Siemens' Simatic controller portfolio. It includes support for new PLCs with extensive motion control and safety functions, such as the S7-1200 G2 controller and increased performance with S7-1511/S7-1513. New modular S7-1500 CPUs and a technology CPU in the highest performance class are also introduced. These enhancements offer a human-readable text-based representation of graphical code to facilitate programming using external tools like GIT or Beyond Compare.
Security improvements are ongoing. TIA Portal Version 20 allows Simatic PLCs to connect to a central user management system on the shop floor. User management access control (UMAC) enables service technicians to access devices using standard enterprise credentials without compromising security. UMAC connects to standard identity provider services like Microsoft Active Directory or Azure ID, allowing administrators to manage permissions efficiently.
Additional features include improved program optimization options and faster runtime analysis for maintenance services. An optimized data exchange between TIA Portal, TIA Portal Cloud, and Project Server Cloud supports seamless collaboration across platforms with automated cloud backup.
The TIA Portal Test Suite offers continuous regression tests for reliable code quality in machines, supporting test-driven development of S7 programs. Siemens Industrial Copilot integrates generative AI with TIA Portal to assist automation engineers while ensuring essential function and security updates are included.