SDA allows modular control systems and integration of components from multiple vendors

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: The primary focus of software-defined automation (SDA) is to enable greater flexibility, interoperability and portability in industrial automation by decoupling software from hardware. This approach allows industries to design automation solutions without being constrained by specific hardware capabilities, fostering seamless integration across different vendors' equipment and platforms. By relying on standardized interface and leveraging Universal Automation.org runtime, SDA enhances system scalability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while empowering businesses to respond more swiftly to changing operational needs and market demands. It also supports sustainable practices by optimizing energy use and minimizing operational complexity.

What are the primary benefits of software-defined automation?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Software-defined automation offers a range of valuable benefits. One of the main advantages is its flexibility and portability, allowing automation applications to be deployed across different hardware platforms without requiring major reengineering or testing. This makes systems much more adaptable to changing needs. Additionally, it offers scalability and efficiency by minimizing downtime when making changes to automation systems, which helps operations run smoothly and makes it easier to integrate equipment from different vendors.

Cost efficiency is another significant benefit, as the vendor-agnostic nature of software-defined automation helps lower both capital and operational costs, while also eliminating the need for large hardware inventories. It also empowers the workforce by shifting the focus to broader skill sets rather than specialized knowledge, making it easier to attract and retain talent. Finally, software-defined automation enhances interoperability by ensuring seamless communication between systems from different vendors, cutting down on the complexity and cost of using gateways and improving overall multi-vendor compatibility.

Another benefit from SDA is the ability to get rid of obsolescence from a software and a hardware perspective contributing to lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

How does software-defined automation figure in the convergence of IT and OT?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Software-defined automation allows a seamless integration. This decoupling of hardware and software allows for standardized automation applications to run across various hardware platforms, whether in the IT or OT space.

It also breaks down the silos between IT and OT systems, facilitating digital collaboration, real-time data management and optimized control strategies.

Which standards and protocols will be affected most or increase/decrease in use because of software-defined automation?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Several key standards and protocols are seeing a boost in adoption from the rise of software-defined automation. For example, the Open Process Automation Standard (O-PAS) is a de-facto standard for continuous process industries. The key benefits of this standard are achieving interoperability and portability while being cybersecure. A central standard in this shift is the OPC UA protocol, which enables secure and reliable communication across various systems, allowing multiple vendors’ solutions to communicate together to provide a flexible solution.

The IEC standards, particularly IEC 61499 system model language and the IEC 61131-3 programming languages are part of OPAS.

As modularity becomes more critical in manufacturing, protocols like Module Type Package (MTP) and the NAMUR Open Architecture (NOA) will see more use. These standards enable easier integration of smart sensors, field devices and other technologies, further enhancing the flexibility of software-defined automation.

Which components will see the biggest impact from software-defined automation?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Software-defined automation will have a significant impact on several components within industrial systems. Automation software will be decoupled from hardware, becoming vendor-independent, and enabling modular, reusable applications that can be integrated into various systems.

Control systems will shift toward more modular designs, allowing components from multiple vendors to be seamlessly integrated, improving scalability and flexibility. We are at the infancy of software-defined automation and the primary component to leverage SDA principles is the controller. The other layers of the control solution will come next.

Communication infrastructure will benefit from standardized protocols, like OPC UA, simplifying connectivity and enhancing interoperability between IT and OT systems, while reducing reliance on proprietary methods.

Additionally, field devices and sensors will be more easily integrated through standards, like NAMUR’s NOA and MTP, enabling real-time data collection for better monitoring and optimization. As automation systems become more interconnected, cybersecurity and safety measures will also play a critical role in ensuring the security and reliability of these systems.

In what ways does software-defined automation allow machine builders more flexibility in hardware selection and management?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Software-defined automation offers machine builders greater flexibility in hardware selection by enabling them to choose the best hardware for their specific needs without being locked into a particular vendor’s ecosystem. By using open standards and modular systems, builders can integrate products from various vendors into one cohesive system, improving interoperability and adaptability across the board.

How can machine builders prepare for and leverage software-defined automation?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: To prepare for and leverage software-defined automation, machine builders should focus on embracing open standards and modular architectures. These frameworks enable flexibility and ease of integration, allowing builders to adopt the best technologies and systems for their needs.

How does software-defined automation build on existing IT and network infrastructure in factories and plants?

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Software-defined automation leverages standard IT software and network infrastructure and utilizes common standard communication protocol, like OPC UA, and event-driven architectures that facilitate seamless integration of real-time data with enterprise applications. This integration allows for smoother communication between automation systems and enterprise tools, such as analytics, asset management and resource-planning systems. By enabling modular and flexible systems, software-defined automation makes it easier to scale and adapt factory operations without needing a complete overhaul of existing IT infrastructure.

Tell us about your company’s state-of-the-art product that involves software-defined automation.

Andre Babineau, marketing director, Next-Generation Industrial Automation Incubator, Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric offers the first software-defined automation solution decoupling hardware from software, enabling greater portability and interoperability. This solution also enables the end user to select the fit to purpose hardware to maximize efficiency while reducing overall operation cost.

As a leader in multi-vendor, software-defined automation, we provide tailored solutions, such as EcoStruxure Automation Expert and EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS. Our EcoStruxure Platform provides a single unique user experience across our fleet of software solutions minimizing training and maximizing uptime.