I tried it a year ago or so, it was working. Maybe a bigger problem is the Siemens Software, it’s quite expensive (it 's requiring software keys for the programming software, to remove the nag-screen).
There are relative cheap starter kits available in the market, which include a S7-1200 with programming software (TIA portal). I used the software which I used for my work.
EDIT: Link starter kits: https://w3.siemens.com/mcms/programmable-logic-controller/en/basic-controller/s7-1200/starterkits/Pages/default.aspx?tabcardname=starter%20kit%20overview
Because of the use of Node-RED you can do everything you wish for, for example I controlled the PLC, and got messages, using a Telegram-bot, just for fun…