Using Browser Based Engineering (IDEaaS)

If you wish to modify your project or deploy it directly to the target Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), you have the option to use our IDE-as-a-Service (“IDEaaS”). This is an SDA service that allows you to access full-featured development environments streamed directly to your browser window. Through IDEaaS, you can write, edit, and manage your code remotely. Furthermore, if you need to connect to your physical device, our integrated connectivity service enables secure access and deployment to your PLC from anywhere.

Supported PLC vendors: please see the supported automation technology section.

Start IDEaaS

To begin, navigate to the project you wish to edit within the platform. Click on the “Open IDEaaS” button. This action will launch a new browser tab where the Browse-Based Engineering (IDEaaS) interface will be streamed directly to you. Once the session initiates, your selected project will automatically load within the IDE environment. If your project is configured for device integration, the system will also attempt to establish a connection to the specified device, enabling seamless development and deployment.

Note that you may have to disable the pop-up blocker in your browser to ensure that IDE-as-a-Service can open in a new browser tab.

Currently supported browser types are Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

Note that when opening a Siemens PLC project for the first time in IDEaaS, you will be asked to select one of your uploaded Siemens licenses that will be used for opening this project. Please make sure that you select a license that is appropriate for this project. You can later edit the selected license via the context menu of the project ("edit project").

You can use all functionalities of the IDE as you are used to from the installation on your local machine.

Create new project versions with IDEaaS

In IDEaaS you can work on the project just as in your local installation of your IDE. For terminating an active IDEaaS session and saving all changes click on the icon to close the session in the top right corner. This will open a window as shown below which allows you to provide a comment for the new generated project version. With deactivating the checkbox you can choose to withdraw the changes. You have also the option the mark the new version as deployed in case you performed a download to the PLC.

It is also possible to save a new version during an active session by clicking on the Save Project icon.

In case the session gets accidentally terminated or there is an internet connection loss during an active session, IDEaaS creates by default a new version. No changes get lost!

Copy & Paste

It is possible to copy and paste text elements between IDEaaS sessions using the familiar keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C / Ctrl+V).

Set session timeout

You can set the timeout of a session after which it will be automatically closed in case of inactivity. The current project state will be saved as a new version in this case. Navigate to the time icon in the top left corner to adjust the timeout setting. The default timeout for new sessions is 30 minutes.

Open multiple applications in parallel

You can open multiple other engineering environments in parallel. Navigate to the Application Switcher icon in the top actions bar to switch between applications.

Note that this feature is useful for some IDE versions, such as Simait Manager, where you have to work with multiple screens at the same time.

Upload and download files to an IDEaaS session

IDEaaS allows you to easily upload and download files during your session. To do this, locate and click on the folder icon situated at the top left corner of the interface. This will open a new dialog box, where you’ll be given clear options to either upload files from your local device to your session or download files from your session to your local machine. After uploading, your files will be accessible in the Home folder within your Windows environment.

Connectivity with the PLC

IDE-as-a-Service (IDEaaS) connects securely to on-premises PLCs through the SDA Gateway, enabling engineers to upload, download, and monitor running PLCs from anywhere directly through their browser-based IDE. The Gateway provides a secure, certificate-based connection between the cloud-hosted IDE and the local control network, ensuring reliable access without exposing devices to the public internet. Connectivity behavior and configuration steps vary by vendor—refer to the IDEaaS Supported Vendors section for detailed guidance on vendor-specific integration and requirements.