Employees benefit from the freedom to work from anywhere, using any device, while maintaining access to their personalized desktop environment. This flexibility improves work-life balance and productivity. 5. Reduced IT Operational Overhead
If you are trying to run software like , Solid Edge , or Teamcenter via a virtual machine (such as Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365 ), use this general access procedure:
In an era where remote work, hybrid models, and digital transformation are no longer optional but essential, ensuring employees have secure, high-performance access to corporate resources is a critical challenge. , a global powerhouse in engineering and technology, has embraced this challenge by leveraging modern Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions —frequently referred to within its ecosystem as vDesktop or virtual workstations.
This article explores the architecture, deployment models, operational benefits, and security frameworks of Siemens VDesktop solutions in modern industrial automation. The Evolution of Engineering Workstations vdesktop siemens
A specialized solution for industrial environments that offers pre-configured, high-availability IT infrastructure for OT (Operational Technology) applications.
The VDI solution provided Siemens with:
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | User Access Layer | | (Thin Clients, Laptops, Tablets, Zero Clients) | +-------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | (Secure Protocol: Blast/PCoIP/RDP) v +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Virtualization Layer | | (VMware Horizon / Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop) | +-------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | (Hypervisor Management) v +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Siemens Software Layer | | (TIA Portal, STEP 7, WinCC, PLCSIM Advanced) | +-------------------------------+---------------------------------+ | (Industrial Communications) v +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | Physical Edge / Fabric | | (S7-1500 PLCs, SINAMICS Drives, SCADA Network) | +-----------------------------------------------------------------+ 1. Hypervisor and VDI Orchestration Employees benefit from the freedom to work from
| Component | Role in Siemens Engineering | |-----------|-----------------------------| | | VMware Horizon, Citrix DaaS, Microsoft AVD – must support USB redirection & real-time networking. | | vDesktop Image | Windows 10/11 LTSC (or Windows 10 IoT Enterprise) with Siemens sw installed via task sequence. | | License Server | ALM (Automation License Manager) containerized or on a separate VM – handles floating SLM/USB dongles. | | Network | Low-latency (≤10 ms RTT), high-bandwidth for PLC downloads and PLCSIM Advanced commun. | | Hardware Gateway | e.g., Secomea GateManager, Tosibox, or a Raspberry Pi with USB/IP to tunnel USB dongles. |
| Feature | VMware Horizon 8 | Microsoft AVD (Azure) | |---------|----------------|------------------------| | | Excellent (USB Hub device support) | Requires 3rd party (USB Network Gate) | | Real-time network | vSphere with NIOC – PROFINET OK | Azure NetApp + ExpressRoute needed | | Offline vDesktop | Works via Horizon Edge | Not native | | Cost for 50 users | ~$15k initial + $10k/year | ~$9k/year (no GPU profile) | | Siemens-specific partner support | Yes – several system integrators | Limited |
Siemens offers a "single source" solution, meaning they handle everything from hardware selection to hypervisor installation and virtual machine configuration. This reduces the complexity for IT/OT teams. 3. Reduced Hardware Footprint and Cost Reduced IT Operational Overhead If you are trying
This is where many implementations fail. Apply the following performance best practices:
On-premises infrastructure can be rigid. By moving to Azure-based virtual desktops, Siemens can instantly scale up or down based on employee needs, such as onboarding new employees or supporting project-based teams, without purchasing new physical hardware. 4. Improved Employee Experience
With cyber threats evolving, security is paramount. The Siemens vDesktop solution is designed to comply with strict requirements. By centralizing desktops in a secure environment, sensitive data never leaves the corporate perimeter, reducing the risk of data loss from lost or compromised end-user devices. 2. High Performance and Low Latency
Access high-end engineering tools like Siemens NX from a standard laptop at home or in the field without sacrificing performance.