SIMATIC PCS 7 automation systems can also communicate with a remote third-party control center by means of the telecontrol protocol IEC 60870‑5‑101 (serial) or IEC 60870‑5‑104 (TCP/IP).

The IEC 60870‑5‑101 protocol permits use of classic WAN connections over modems and dedicated lines. The IEC 60870‑5‑104 protocol supports TCP/IP-based WAN-connections like Internet/DSL, GPRS or LTE.