Siemens has released TIA Portal V19, the latest version of its Totally Integrated Automation engineering framework. As the most widely used PLC programming platform in Europe and one of the two dominant platforms globally, every version update has implications for working automation engineers and students alike.
This article provides a practical overview of the key new features, focusing on what matters most for day-to-day engineering work.
1. Enhanced Simulation with PLCSIM Advanced V6
The most significant improvement in V19 is the upgraded PLCSIM Advanced, which now supports:
- Full S7-1500 CPU simulation including technology objects (motion control, PID, high-speed counters)
- Hardware-in-the-loop testing with virtual commissioning environments
- Multiple instance support — run up to 16 simulated PLCs simultaneously on a single PC
- API improvements for integration with FactoryIO, Process Simulate, and other digital twin platforms
For engineers, this means you can now test complex multi-PLC systems entirely in software before touching real hardware. The cost and time savings for commissioning are substantial. At EDWartens, we use PLCSIM Advanced extensively in our training programmes, allowing students to programme and test systems that would require tens of thousands of pounds of physical hardware.
2. Improved Structured Text Editor
TIA Portal V19 includes a significantly upgraded Structured Text (ST) editor:
- Code folding — Collapse IF/ELSE blocks, FOR loops, and CASE statements for better readability
- Improved autocomplete — Context-aware suggestions for variables, functions, and data types
- Inline error highlighting — Syntax errors are highlighted in real-time as you type, similar to modern IDEs like VS Code
- Multi-cursor editing — Edit multiple lines simultaneously
- Enhanced search and replace with regex support
These improvements address long-standing complaints from software-oriented engineers who found the ST editor lacking compared to modern development environments. The editor still is not VS Code, but the gap has narrowed considerably.
3. Cloud Connectivity and Edge Computing
V19 deepens integration with Siemens' Industrial Edge platform and cloud services:
- Native MQTT publisher — S7-1500 CPUs can now publish data to MQTT brokers directly from the PLC programme, without requiring an edge device
- OPC UA Server improvements — Enhanced companion specification support for standardised data models
- Siemens Insights Hub (MindSphere) integration — Streamlined configuration for cloud-based analytics
- Edge App deployment — Deploy containerised applications to Industrial Edge devices directly from TIA Portal
The MQTT integration is particularly noteworthy. Previously, connecting a Siemens PLC to cloud platforms or IT systems required middleware. Now, a few function blocks in your PLC programme can publish production data directly to AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub, or any MQTT broker. This is a significant step toward IT/OT convergence.
4. Safety Programming Improvements
For engineers working on safety-critical applications (SIL 2/3, PLd/PLe):
- Safety programme comparison — Visual side-by-side comparison of safety programme versions with highlighted differences
- Improved F-Runtime Group configuration — More flexible assignment of safety functions to runtime groups
- Enhanced diagnostics — Detailed safety diagnostic information accessible via standard HMI/SCADA
- PROFIsafe V2.6.2 support — Latest safety communication profile
These features reduce the time and effort required for safety programme validation, which is often the most time-consuming part of a safety-critical project.
5. Hardware Catalogue Updates
V19 includes support for new hardware:
- S7-1500 CPUs with integrated 5G — For wireless industrial applications
- ET 200SP HA — High-availability distributed IO for process industries
- SINAMICS S200 — New generation of servo drives with integrated safety
- SCALANCE MUM856-1 — Industrial 5G router
What This Means for Training
At EDWartens, our Professional Module is taught using TIA Portal V18, which remains the most widely deployed version in UK industry. The fundamental programming concepts — ladder logic, function blocks, structured text, SCADA configuration, HMI design — are identical across versions. Students who learn on V18 can transition to V19 seamlessly.
We update our courseware to include V19-specific features as they become relevant to the UK job market. Currently, the vast majority of UK employers use V17 or V18, so V19 adoption is in its early stages.
Should You Upgrade?
If you are a working engineer:
- Wait until your projects require V19-specific features or hardware
- V18 projects can be migrated to V19 using the built-in project migration tool
- Check that all your third-party libraries and devices support V19 before upgrading
If you are a student or career changer:
- Focus on learning the fundamentals thoroughly — they transfer across all versions
- Download the free TIA Portal V19 trial to explore the new features
- The core PLC programming skills taught in structured training are version-independent
If you are an employer:
- Plan a phased rollout, starting with new projects
- Ensure your engineering team receives training on new features
- Verify compatibility with your existing installed base
The evolution of TIA Portal continues to make Siemens PLCs more capable, more connected, and more accessible. Whether you are programming your first rung of ladder logic or designing a multi-PLC SCADA architecture, understanding these tools is fundamental to a successful automation career.