At present, all industries are still readjustment to better adapt to the post-pandemic era. The ongoing trade frictions and geopolitics have brought additional uncertainties to industrial enterprises. Data from the World Economic Forum (WEF) shows that 82% of chief economists believe that global uncertainty continues to rise.
The increasingly complex supply chain, the constantly rising cost of raw materials and the shortage of skilled professionals have brought further challenges to the industry. The dual demands of the market for financial returns and sustainable performance have further compelled industrial enterprises to reshape their operational models to achieve unprecedented agility and efficiency.
Digitalization offers industrial enterprises a feasible path to optimize their supply chains by leveraging advanced technologies, flexibly replicate or adjust production processes, and quickly respond to market changes, maintaining competitiveness in a highly uncertain environment.
Open and flexible software-defined automation: retaining existing investments while moving towards the future
With the help of industrial Internet of Things (iot) technology, key data can flow intuitively, seamlessly and automatically throughout the entire operation of an enterprise. Combined with advanced analytics and AI technologies, employees can gain real-time insights no matter where they are, supporting rapid and accurate decision-making. This is particularly crucial in today’s rapidly changing market. Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) adopts an open, software-defined automation architecture, enabling enterprises to transition more smoothly to this agile digital model.
The EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) is centered on business needs. It brings the flexibility needed for digital transformation, free from the constraints of a specific manufacturer’s automated hardware or architecture. By decoupling control logic from hardware, EAE enables enterprises to retain existing equipment and engineering investments while freely choosing new hardware and systems of any brand to meet current and future performance and functional goals. With this platform, enterprises can also seamlessly integrate the latest interconnection technologies, fully utilize operational data, and achieve an unprecedented level of optimization.
The EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) brings practical business value
Open, software-defined automation can accelerate agility and time to market, and shorten engineering time. According to Frost & Sullivan’s research, the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) based on software-defined automation can bring practical business value and has been verified in practice, solving many modern industrial challenges.
Faster debugging and lower cost: In large manufacturing facilities, debugging an automation system usually takes up to six months. However, with the help of the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE), using pre-certified automation assets and digital twins, 30% to 60% of commissioning time and costs can be saved. Engineers can conduct virtual simulation and verification of the system before the hardware arrives at the site.
The production line can be quickly reconfigured: Modifying the production equipment in a traditional system may take several days, especially when dealing with various proprietary hardware. With the event-driven architecture and hardware independence of the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE), a factory can reconfigure and modify its production line within minutes. This agility enables the factory to respond to market changes and customer demands in near real time.
System expansion with almost zero downtime: Adding a new production line usually requires weeks of programming and integration. However, with the help of the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE), using application-centric design, reusable control logic and visual drag-and-drop configuration, a new production line can be integrated into its automation system within just a few hours.
Old hardware often means high costs for reconfiguration and design. With the help of EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE), a global food and beverage company seamlessly migrated its existing control programs to the new generation system, achieving zero code changes. This not only protects the intellectual property rights of enterprises but also extends the lifespan of existing automation investments.
In summary, the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) makes integration simpler, deployment faster, and total cost of ownership lower – and this is just one of the advantages brought by EAE. Software-defined industrial automation is not only a technological breakthrough but also an intelligent operation strategy engine that directly faces the challenges of the current and future markets.
Gain a competitive edge in an uncertain era with software-defined agility and efficiency
In today’s challenging industrial environment, the migration to open, software-defined automation has become one of the shortcuts to enhancing agility, efficiency and competitiveness. This transformation has evolved from the pioneering practice of a few innovators to an urgent priority for all industrial enterprises eager to solidify the digital future.
Smarter systems are reshaping business resilience, enabling enterprises to adjust quickly and respond promptly to the rapidly changing market demands. Global uncertainties will not disappear, and the daily challenges faced by industrial enterprises will continue to exist. Those enterprises that delay digital transformation are at risk of being left behind by The Times. We expect open and flexible software-defined automation platforms like EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE) to help more industrial enterprises completely transform their operation methods, not only surviving in an uncertain era but also thriving.
