PLCnext Store resources
The PLCnext Store provides software applications ("apps") with which you can directly and easily expand the functions of a PLCnext controller. As a developer of software solutions, you can also create your own apps and distribute them in the PLCnext Store.
Lots of highly elaborated pieces of code are distributed by worldwide contributors on this marketplace. There are different PLCnext Technology App types available. Some are free of charge, others come with a fee, depending on the conditions of the contributor.
At www.plcnextstore.com you find the PLCnext Store itself, and the Terms & Conditions for users and for contributors.
PLCnext Store ‑ Info Center
If you are thinking about offering your PLCnext-based solution to others, there are some things to consider.
In the PLCnext Store ‑ Info Center (store.plcnext.help) you find additional information:
- As a user, you may want instructions on how to download and implement apps in your industrial automation projects.
- As a developer, you may wand tutorials, guidelines and reference information on how to build and deploy valuable items in the PLCnext Store. The PLCnext Technology App Quality Guide laid out in the PLCnext Store ‑ Info Center is an integral part of the Contributor Terms for the PLCnext Store.
Connecting your device to the PLCnext Store
The solutions available in the PLCnext Store are mostly running from a PLCnext Technology device, so they have to be installed on the device itself. This can be done either by downloading the solution to a computer and then uploading it by means of the Web‑based Management on your PLCnext Control device (this is called "offline installation"), or by connecting your PLCnext Control device to the PLCnext Store and installing the solution directly (this is called "online installation").
Find a detailed instructions in the PLCnext Store ‑ Info Center:
Requirements for online installation
To establish an online connection, these requirements must be met:
- A PLCnext Store account must be set up and the device must be registered.
- The PLCnext Store Connector must be active on your device; the default setting is active, but changes could have been be made in the Web‑based Management (WBM):
- for firmware up to 2024.6, settings are done in the WBM page Configuration → System services.
- for firmware from 2025.0, settings are done in the WBM page System → System services.
- The device must have access to the Internet (see the PLCnext Technology ‑ Security Info Center for all considerations and precautions!).
- The PLCnext Store Service switch in the Web‑based Management page Configuration → PLCnext Store must be switched on
(from firmware 2026.0 LTS: button is clicked showing afterwards).
Up to firmware 2025.9, an established PLCnext Store connection is held forever unless the user toggles off the PLCnext Store Service switch in the Web‑based Management page Configuration → PLCnext Store.
Usually, this is not necessary: A connection is only needed during online installation/uninstallation of apps or while transferring or retracting licenses to the device.
From firmware 2026.0 LTS on, a PLCnext Store connection is automatically released after a configurable inactivity time period. Inactivity is defined as a no interaction took place, such as installing/uninstalling an app or transferring/retracting a license.
By default, auto-disconnection is set to 60 min of inactivity. Other time periods (even "never") can be set in the WBM 2 page Configuration → PLCnext Store. After a restart of the device the connection state persists, so the PLCnext Store connection is re-established if the set inactivity time period is not expired. Manually reconnecting is done by means of the button in the WBM 2 page Configuration → PLCnext Store. that replaces the PLCnext Store Service switch in former firmware releases.