Siemens SIMATIC AX Brings PLC Programming into the Future
Automation at the Speed of Software Development
The world of industrial automation is changing fast. Between workforce shortages, rising project complexity, and constant demand for flexibility, engineers need tools that move as fast as software development. That’s where Siemens SIMATIC AX comes in—a modern programming environment built on Visual Studio Code that lets you develop, test, and deploy PLC programs faster than ever.
SIMATIC AX connects IT and OT in a single, flexible ecosystem. It gives automation engineers access to the tools they already know—Git version control, command-line automation, cloud deployment, and object-oriented programming in Structured Text—while offering the stability and reliability that Siemens PLCs are known for.
Modern Engineering, Familiar Tools
Built on Visual Studio Code, SIMATIC AX feels instantly familiar to developers and automation specialists alike. With this lightweight, modular IDE, you can:
- Speed up project startup and reduce computing demands
- Collaborate easily using Git-based version control
- Write structured, object-oriented code in IEC Structured Text
- Run unit tests—no PLC connection required
- Automate workflows with continuous integration (CI) pipelines
Automate the Automation
SIMATIC AX doesn’t just simplify programming—it transforms how automation teams work. Engineers can use proven IT methods to handle complex dependencies through package management, standardize workflows with CI pipelines, and deploy updates directly from the cloud. That means fewer site visits, faster iteration, and greater consistency across your systems.
“Work together. Work from anywhere. Work the way that suits you.” — Siemens SIMATIC AX
Collaborate, Customize, and Create
Whether you’re working locally or in the cloud, SIMATIC AX supports seamless teamwork. The open-source GitHub community enables engineers to share, reuse, and continuously improve code. With thousands of available extensions and APIs, users can adapt the system to their workflow—creating custom scripts, integrating familiar tools, and even contributing to Siemens’ growing AX ecosystem.
- Readable plain-text source code improves transparency and collaboration
- Third-party extensions and custom scripts adapt AX to any workflow
- Open-source GitHub community accelerates innovation and learning
Key Benefits for Industrial Teams
- Time Efficient: Reduce setup and testing time with modular, cloud-based tools
- Process Efficiency: Automate repetitive engineering tasks and CI pipelines
- Reduce Costs: Minimize travel and downtime with remote deployment
- Safer: Maintain consistent code and quality standards across sites
- Labor Saving: Empower smaller teams to achieve more through automation
By merging software and automation development principles, SIMATIC AX helps industrial engineers keep up with modern manufacturing demands—delivering higher productivity and better code with fewer resources.