What is a distributed control system (DCS)?
A distributed control system (DCS) is the brain controlling the processes in energy-intensive, process-heavy facilities. This digital automated industrial control system achieves this by using geographically distributed control loops throughout a plant or machine. A modern distributed control system will increase safety and efficiency and is vital in making operations profitable in the coming decades.

Features
- Packed with state-of-the-art OT technologies like dynamic SAMA, engineer anywhere and control anywhere capabilities, visualization and situation-awareness functionalities, and the latest IT technologies in mobility, cloud and analytics.
- Architecturally optimized for smart design and flexible engineering reducing capital and operating expenses, protecting operational integrity while enhancing decision-making, problem resolution, and workflow.
- Provides a powerful platform to turn your industrial automation into a universal automation of your business, driving measurable operational profitability safely.
When coupled with open, IEC 61499 standards-based solutions, like EcoStruxure Automation Expert and our other offers, the Foxboro DCS provides customers with even more choice and flexibility, so they can:
- Leverage and adopt advancements in technology and hardware much faster, and not the 18 months to two years it takes in the current model.
- Adopt technology that IT has been leveraging for years.
- And more quickly address emerging and new critical challenges.
Benefits
Future-proof technology preserves your investments
Optimized for smart design and flexible engineering using state-of-the-art OT technologies
Measurable operational profitability at every level of the industrial enterprise

63% of current control systems are only somewhat equipped to support their company’s digital transformation. We commissioned Omdia to survey 250 global business leaders to capture essential perspectives and specific challenges they face on their journey toward digital transformation.
EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS technology platforms
The Foxboro DCS family of fault-tolerant, highly available components collect, process, and disseminates valuable information to every corner of the plant. With flexibility and scalability in mind, the Foxboro DCS offers multiple types of controllers and I/O options to optimize cost, space and functionality requirements.
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Field Device Controller 280
Optionally redundant, field-mountable device controller.
Explore Field Device Controller 280Field Control Processor 280
Powerful, secure field control processors (FCPs) boost operations and reliability.
Explore Field Control Processor 280Simulated Control Processor
Virtual simulation of Foxboro control processors CP270 and CP280.
Explore Simulated Control Processor
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Standard I/O
Rugged, reliable input/output (I/O) fits your distributed control system operational needs.
Explore standard I/OUniversal I/O
Reduce the indirect costs associated with marshalling and significantly reduce your total cost of system ownership with our intelligent marshalling solution.
Explore universal I/OCompact I/O
Foxboro Compact 200 Series fieldbus modules (FBMs) feature an innovative design for significant footprint, weight, and volume savings in your system installation.
Explore compact I/OIntrinsically safe I/O
These integrated modules are the lowest-cost, smallest footprint, and easiest-to-maintain solution for mounting I/O modules in hazardous locations.
Explore intrinsically safe I/O100 Series upgrade
The 100 Series FBM upgrade program provides a cost-effective upgrade path to the EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS system’s latest fieldbus modules — the 200 Series FBM product line.
Enclosures
A broad array of control system enclosures helps protect your automation system and components against intrusion or environmental effects.
Explore enclosuresIntelligent enclosures
Intelligent enclosures provide an integrated solution designed to be flexible and distributed. Designed for use outdoors or indoors (including hazardous areas), universal I/O field enclosures provide the flexibility to distribute I/O where and when required.
Explore intelligent enclosures
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Workstations and servers
Pre-configured on secure, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose workstations and servers.
Explore workstations and serversVirtualization and thin clients
Experience true operational agility and production schedule integrity throughout your system’s lifecycle with virtualization technology
Explore virtualization and thin clients
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Annunciator keyboards
Annunciator keyboards easily and effectively organize alarms and process displays for faster operator response and resolution times.
Explore annunciator keyboardsMonitors
State-of-the-art process visualization designed for utmost user safety, security, and productivity.
Explore monitors
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Control network
Control network leverages advanced commercial communications technologies in robust industrial configurations.
Explore control networkControl network interface
Operate multiple EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS as one system.
Explore control network interfaceExtremeCloud™ IQ – Site Engine
Simplifies complex network management with advanced tools.
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Connectivity solutions for Foxboro DCS
Configure and integrate EcoStruxure Triconex Safety Systems and Modicon programmable logic controllers (PLCs) with our other equipment.
Explore connectivity solutions
Operator training
Operator training simulators (OTS) are advanced computer-based training tools that help give operators the skills they need to run a process or plant.
Explore operator training
Control Editor
Enables effortless design and present information in a way that is easy to understand, troubleshoot, and reduces manual steps.
Explore Control EditorSystem Advisor
The most comprehensive system management solution used for system configuration, alarm management, operator action analysis, and overall documentation.
Explore System AdvisorTriconex configuration
Unify process control and safety seamlessly via this engineering interface.
Explore Triconex configurationModicon configuration
Configure Modicon PLCs for your EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS automatically via this interface.
Explore Modicon configuration
EcoStruxure Maintenance Advisor
IIoT platform for condition based maintenance and decision support, enabling profitable operations.
Explore EcoStruxure Maintenance AdvisorField Device Manager
Configure, commission, maintain, and diagnose your field devices throughout their entire lifecycle.
Explore Field Device ManagerEcoStruxure Power and Process Control System
Increase operational efficiency and uptime with an integrated and secure system for process industries — the Electrodynamic Controller.
Explore EcoStruxure Power and Process Control System
Explore the latest insights on DCS
2023 Innovation Days – reimagining automation for Foxboro DCS
Watch how Foxboro DCS Leader Michael Martinez kicks off 2023 Innovation Days.
2023 Innovation Days – process control highlights
The conference offered engineers and plant operators knowledge of the latest innovations, industry challenges, and heavy-process application demos.
Digital transformation in the automation world
EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS Leader Michael Martinez leads a panel discussion on digital transformation and its influence on industrial companies’ future way of working.
Futureproofing DCS technology
Discover how EcoStruxure Foxboro DCS future-proofs its technology to offer customers a return on investment and interoperability in their distributed control system.
Solutions to aging DCS
Replace your aging DCS to improve reliability and avoid production interruptions or plant shutdowns. Keep your current wiring and cabinet in place.
Digital transformation in industrial process automation. How to break the barriers?
Explore morePreparing your operation for digital transformation
Learn moreDigital twin delivers innovative, cost-effective means to optimize DCS performance
Read moreNo one can do it alone. Why co-innovation matters?
Discover moreUpgrading your obsolete DCS? These are the top 5 questions you should ask yourself to reduce risk
Find out moreHow distributed control system advancements help industries overcome today’s business challenges
Read moreCounting the costs of a power and process disturbance to oil and gas operators
Discover nowAddressing the misperception that modernizing control systems means jeopardizing operational safety and money
Explore now
See what our customers achieved with Foxboro DCS
Integrated control and safety systems (ICSS) implementation
DCS upgrade
DCS implementation
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