Schneider Electric Advances with EcoStruxure Automation Expert v21.0 - Plug and Produce Industrial Automation

Schneider Electric, the market leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert version 21.0. This speed up the updates and enhancements of an ongoing series for the world’s first software-centric industrial automated systems. This also strengthens the demand for the adoption of universal automation.

Schneider Electric is applying Agile software development methodology to deliver a new EcoStruxure Automation Expert, based on customer feedback received twice a year.

Fabrice Jadot, senior vice president, next-generation automation, Schneider Electric. Said, “Keeping pace with rapid innovation while still maintaining the capability to be 100% future proof is a key benefit of EcoStruxure Automation Expert for our customers. In the space of a couple of months, we’ve added features and functions that will enhance the user experience and directly address high-demand customer needs. Our best in class implementation of agile mode project delivery along with an overall agile mindset helps us provide an always-current experience for our users.”

IEC 61499 adoption

EcoStruxure Automation Expert was first launched to the public in Nov 2020. It is the world’s first universal automation offer, based on the IEC61499 standard for interoperability and portability.

According to the Road to Universal Automation report, Harry Forbes from ARC stated, ���Today’s demands for greater manufacturing flexibility and higher productivity require that control system software development must become much more like IT software development. Far better management of this software as a resource becomes a critical need in the era of Industry 4.0. EcoStruxure Automation Expert is designed to close this gap.”

Developing an early interest in this new category of industrial automation is strong. The company reports that its integrator partners ensure huge benefits in being able to add value beyond the traditional Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). Early adopters are innovating to provide inclusive and capable solutions by merging technologies for their customers.

Jadot also added, “This is not the same automation platform from 30 or 40 years ago, so there’s an initial learning curve for adjusting to IEC61499-based technology. But we’re finding that once customers and partners dive into the technology, they see real returns in flexibility and speed of engineering, unlike anything they’ve experienced before. When users realize the full value of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, the most common response is, ‘This is a game-changer.’”

EcoStruxure Automation Expert is predominantly drawing interest from industries in the consumer-packaged goods and logistics sectors. Where in the added flexibility is necessary to respond swiftly to the changing market dynamics, take advantage of new opportunities, or reduce potential risk.

Next-generation technology

Enhancements in EcoStruxure Automation Expert V21.0 include:
• EtherNet/IP scanner for software programmable automation controller
• ASi-5 gateway
• Position control with Lexium 32 servo drives
And updates include:
• Common function library improvements
• Improved user interface
• Ability to define supported function blocks in logical devices
• Physical view enhancements
• Other quality, performance, security, and usability enhancements

Universal automation

Schneider Electric is calling on all stakeholders across the industry to embrace universal automation and believes this is the time for a bold move in industrial automation.
Universal automation is the world of plug and produces automation software mechanisms based on the IEC61499 standard that answer specific customer problems. Adopting a universal automation layer, common across vendors provides boundless opportunities for growth and modernization across industries.
By covering the competencies of current IEC61131-based systems and allowing an app-store-like model for automation software components, the developments in the 4th Industrial Revolution will be appreciated. As its benefits are visible, Schneider Electric believes other vendors will adopt universal automation, and end-users will soon start demanding it from their automation suppliers and ecosystem.

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PsiQuantum | January 30, 2024

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