We are committed fans of Siemens’ services and solutions. SIVaaS (SIMATIC Virtualisation as a Service) is one of them. This virtual solution significantly reduces the number of servers and monitors needed in a factory. The benefits? Almost too many to count. One thing is certain; your PCS7 system or WinCC application will operate much more flexibly, safely and reliably thanks to SIVaaS. Read on now and discover all the pluses.
Past versus present
Hard to imagine today, but quite normal years ago: a whole room full of computers, each with its own network and hard drive. Not to mention the intricate web of cables. Things are very different today. Thanks to SIVaaS, Siemens’ virtual solution, PCS7 systems or WinCC applications all run on one or just a few servers. This not only saves you space; you also have less (electrical) installation work to do. And you are no longer likely to trip and fall as you negotiate a ‘carpet’ of cables. In other words, you can make your control system much more compact.
A smart cloud solution
You can best think of SIVaaS as a local cloud. Although this system is not connected to the Internet, you can always go back in time. For example, what if a system update does not turn out so well? Then you can easily return to the old situation, thanks to the virtual servers. In addition, you can easily roll out extensions on your virtual servers using templates without having to purchase new computers.
SIVaaS: The benefits at a glance
✓ Flexible
You no longer have to manage standalone computers and servers. This is because all your PCS7 systems or WinCC applications are linked together and run on one or only a few servers. As a result, you simply need less equipment. This is not only good for your wallet and the environment; you also have fewer systems to maintain. But what if you want to implement a new version of a control system? The availability of SIVaaS has also made that task much more efficient and much easier.
✓ Safe and secure
Because your control system is now a lot more compact, the servers can more easily be located in a lockable technical room. As a result, they are no longer open and exposed, and the systems are well protected against all kinds of outside risks. And the systems themselves are also well protected, thanks in part to powerful virus scanners.
✓ Reliable
The SIVaaS systems are truly smart. If, for example, something breaks down, the servers automatically take over each other’s work. They can even fix faults themselves within 5 to 10 minutes, getting the production process back on track as soon as possible. We then have time to repair the defective server and, if necessary, execute a software process to transfer data to a server that is operating normally.
