Schneider Electric's Bold Push for Open, Software-Defined Automation

A Vision for the Revolution in Modern Manufacturing

Imagine a future where manufacturing is free from rigid hardware or proprietary silos—where flexibility is the key. That's the powerful promise Schneider Electric is making with Open, Software-Defined Automation (OSDA). As manufacturing leaders contend with complex regulations, shortening product lifetimes, over-customization, and talent shortages, traditional closed systems no longer cut it. But Ali Haj Fraj, Schneider Electric Head of Digital Factory, argues passionately that it's time to make the change. "Engineers can no longer deal with isolated, hardware-based approaches," he claims. In addition, Hany Fouda, Senior VP of Process Automation, goes on, "OSDA makes agile, digital transformation simple and empowering."

What is OSDA?

So what is OSDA? At its core, it's a twosome: open automation and software-defined automation (SDA). Typical setups? You select hardware first—like PLCs or industrial PCs—then add software as an afterthought. With OSDA, though, control logic is unencumbered by rigid hardware, being programmatic, scalable, and beautifully flexible. And if built on open standards from the Universal Automation Organization, it integrates beautifully with any third-party software or hardware.

Fouda likens it to Spotify's music revolution: goodbye to being tethered to a player—now, automation is streamed everywhere, on any platform! Schneider's EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) is living proof, controlling logic, motion, HMI, and more across industries.

The Four Pillars That Make OSDA Unstoppable

So what actually sets OSDA apart? Schneider Electric names four solid pillars, each of which is designed to turbocharge your operations:

• Hardware Independence: Choose the best hardware for your application—no vendor gets to call the shots. Seamlessly integrate with open standards.

• Distributed Intelligence: Control logic streams on edge devices dynamically, changing in real-time like a living system.

• Application Centric: One simple application manages everything—processes, systems, you name it.

• Digital Continuity: Open IT/OT data flow for super-fast, informed decisions.

By way of result, manufacturers end up with vendor-independent monster that's future-proof and thumpingly flexible.

Overcoming Legacy Pains with OSDA

Legacy systems? They're a nightmare: vendor lock-in means you're stuck in one ecosystem, rigid infrastructure handicaps adjusting to market conditions, and complexity heightens the skills deficit during talent droughts. So OSDA puts these aside.

To give you an example, farewell proprietary prisons—welcome scalable, flexible infrastructure! Fraj highlights, "This is about resilience and freedom."

In short, it's the emotional pick-me-up manufacturers are searching for: less frustration, more innovation.

Real-World Wins: OSDA in Action

Nothing succeeds like success stories! The case at hand: City of Conroe. They partnered with Schneider to replace 19 water facilities with EAE, limiting water loss, achieving greater efficiency, and bolstering cybersecurity in a $50M makeover. "This secures our water future," shines Sophie Borgne, President of Water & Environment.

Next up is GR3N, rendering plastic recycling redundant. With its MADE technology powered by EAE, it recycles 40,000+ tons of PET waste a year in an IEC 61499-compliant modular system—the world's first open automation for next-gen recycling. Launched in 2024, scalable efficiency at its finest!

Last but not least, Schneider Electric isn't just talking about OSDA—they're living it at their Houston Innovation Center.

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