Open, software-defined automation
Open, software-defined automation
Stay competitive with a digital approach to automation that adapts to your business with an open, flexible, and software-defined automation solution.
Industrial leaders face rising complexity and increasing pressure to adapt quickly. Legacy systems, proprietary platforms, rigid infrastructure, and regulatory constraints limit scalability and innovation. It’s time for a new model: one that simplifies operations, accelerates transformation, and aligns automation with business strategy. Embrace open, software-defined automation to compete boldly, move fast, and be better every day.
Unlock limitless automation potential

By embracing open standards, our software-defined automation solution integrates any hardware into a seamless system and enables applications to run independently of hardware, deploying control where it performs best.
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Foundational pillars
Open standard benefits
Supports any vendor, legacy systems and enables Industry 4.0 readiness.
Full containerisation perks
Runs like modern IT software and works with any OS or hardware that meets performance standards.
Want to know more?
Foundational pillars
Open standard benefits
Supports any vendor, legacy systems and enables Industry 4.0 readiness.
Full containerisation perks
Runs like modern IT software and works with any OS or hardware that meets performance standards.
Want to know more?
Flexible automation control
Shift and move across devices with no downtime, ensuring continuous and flexible operations.
Efficient dynamic scaling
Enable dynamic scaling and redistribution without manual setup, saving time and effort.
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Modularity and reusability
Asset-centric design creates reusable digital models of plant equipment, eliminating the need for repeated validation.
Streamlined engineering
Single Line Engineering reduces rework, improves efficiency, and accelerates commissioning.
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Smarter data integration
Unify OT and IT data to drive analytics, improving operational efficiency and profitability.
Digital twin and AI for smarter operations
Leverage digital twin and AI to validate and optimise workflows for deeper data driven insights.
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Simple and flexible
Accelerate deployment and reduce CapEx with flexible, scalable automation built for agility.
Interoperable and portable
Connect new and existing systems. Ensure compatibility, protect investments, and scale efficiency.
Autonomous and intelligent
Advance toward autonomous operation with real-time data, AI, and adaptive automation.
The freedom to innovate
Discover EcoStruxure Automation Expert
EcoStruxure Automation Expert gives you the freedom to choose and the flexibility to adapt with:
- Less engineering time: Experience greater efficiency with reduced engineering time for industrial automation.
- Quicker fault recovery: Improve operational resilience with greater system uptime and recovery after faults.
The first truly open, software-defined automation solution: unbound by hardware, engineered for agility, and empowered by data.
From hardware-defined to open, software-defined systems
Reimagine automation with open, software-defined systems. Watch our on-demand webinar to see how industry leaders are transforming operations and unlocking new potential.

Key alliances and partnerships






Ready to drive innovation through collaboration?
Discover everything open, software-defined automation can do for you.

Hardware independent
Choose the systems that align with your goals. No vendor lock-in, no limitations.
Application-centric
Model assets and processes, independent of hardware to improve productivity and ROI.
Digital continuity
Connect IT and OT with a common data space across all systems to enable real-time insights.
Need help?
Product Selector
Quickly and easily find the right products and accessories for your applications.
Get a Quote
Start your sales enquiry online and an expert will connect with you.
Where to buy?
Easily find the nearest Schneider Electric distributor in your location.
Help Centre
Find support resources for all your needs, in one place.
1. What is open software-defined automation?
Open software-defined automation refers to a modern approach to industrial automation that prioritises software and its flexibility over traditional hardware-centric systems. It decouples the control layer from the underlying hardware, enabling greater agility, portability, and scalability in automation processes. This approach leverages software to manage, configure, and control automation systems, making them more adaptable to changing needs and less reliant on specific hardware.
2. What are the benefits of open software-defined automation?
Benefits include enhanced interoperability through open standards, enabling seamless integration across multi-vendor systems and reducing vendor lock-in. This approach also brings flexibility and scalability, allowing systems to be reconfigured or expanded quickly through software. It accelerates deployment, simplifies configuration and control, and helps lower costs. By leveraging edge control, decisions can be made locally and in real time, reducing latency and improving responsiveness. Additionally, software-defined systems integrate easily with IT infrastructure, cloud services, and analytics platforms, enabling smarter, more connected operations.