Siemens Brings Code-Based Engineering to Factory Floor HMI

Siemens has launched SIMATIC AX WinCC Unified Elements, an engineering application that brings modern software development practices to industrial visualization projects. Available now exclusively in the United States, the tool allows automation engineers to build human-machine interface (HMI) systems using the same workflows IT developers rely on—version control, continuous integration, and code-based configuration.

The application addresses a growing challenge in manufacturing: traditional graphical engineering tools are struggling to keep pace with the speed and collaboration models that newer engineers expect. SIMATIC AX WinCC Unified Elements runs on the SIMATIC WinCC Unified system and supports both code-based and graphical development in a single environment.

Core capabilities

At the center of the platform is YAML-based project generation. Engineers can define complete automation projects in human-readable YAML files, combining AI-generated code, configuration scripts, and reusable libraries into deployable builds. The system supports hybrid workflows, allowing teams to work simultaneously in graphical editors and direct code, with changes reflected in real time across both interfaces.

Native Git integration provides full version history, branching, and merge-request workflows for visualization projects—capabilities that have been standard in software development but rare in industrial automation tooling. The IDE is built on the Open VSX marketplace, enabling engineers to customize their development environment and receive background updates without forced upgrades or additional licensing costs.

The platform also supports custom web controls within the same environment, eliminating the need for external APIs. According to Siemens, this open architecture is designed to accommodate future integrations and tooling extensions.

Why it matters

Manufacturers face a dual pressure: product cycles are accelerating while the pool of engineers trained in legacy automation systems is shrinking. Younger engineers increasingly expect development environments that support collaboration, automation, and version control—tools that have been standard in web and enterprise software for years but largely absent from factory floor engineering. By bridging that gap, Siemens is positioning its platform to appeal to a broader talent pool while enabling faster iteration on visualization projects. The shift also opens the door to AI-assisted code generation and CI/CD pipelines in environments where manual configuration has been the norm.

Expanding the SIMATIC AX family

SIMATIC AX WinCC Unified Elements extends Siemens' SIMATIC AX family, which previously focused on programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, into the visualization layer. The result is a unified environment where engineers can develop both control logic and user interfaces using consistent, IT-aligned workflows.

Cory Rinaldi, Portfolio Sales Enablement Manager for SCADA and Edge at Siemens North America, noted that the initial release supports WinCC Unified PC Runtime applications and is designed to expand flexibility within the Siemens automation portfolio without compromising industrial reliability standards.

Adrien Amar, Global Business Development Manager for Software Defined Automation at Siemens Digital Industries, framed the launch as part of a broader shift: "For decades, we've helped manufacturers automate their production lines; now we're automating the automation itself."

These details were first reported by Siemens.