The Factory Finally Gets a Kernel: Software-Defined Automation and the End of the PLC Monolith
The article discusses the shift from traditional PLC systems to software-defined automation in factories. This transition allows for greater flexibility and efficiency by decoupling control logic from dedicated hardware. Siemens' innovations, such as virtual PLCs and Industrial Edge, enable AI and control to coexist on the same infrastructure, enhancing manufacturing processes.
- ▪Virtual PLCs allow control logic to run on industrial PCs instead of dedicated hardware.
- ▪Siemens demonstrated the benefits of software-defined automation at Hannover Messe 2026.
- ▪The Industrial Edge integrates operational technology and information technology on a single compute surface.
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try { if(localStorage) { let currentUser = localStorage.getItem('current_user'); if (currentUser) { currentUser = JSON.parse(currentUser); if (currentUser.id === 1699525) { document.getElementById('article-show-container').classList.add('current-user-is-article-author'); } } } } catch (e) { console.error(e); } Susilo harjo Posted on May 18 • Originally published at susiloharjo.web.id The Factory Finally Gets a Kernel: Software-Defined Automation and the End of the PLC Monolith #iot #edgecomputing #industrialiot TL;DR Virtual PLCs decouple control logic from dedicated hardware, running S7-1500 workloads — including safety — on industrial PCs and standard server iron.
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