Innovative approaches to separate software innovation from physical control systems are enabling plants to modernise incrementally, improve resilience, and enhance cybersecurity amidst ageing infrastructure and evolving operational demands.
Industrial automation has long been built on a conservative logic: install durable control hardware, leave it in place, and change as little as possible. That model served industry well for years, but it is increasingly strained by the realities of ageing infrastructure, tighter production targets and the growing demand for richer operational data.
Legacy PLCs, DCS platforms, SCADA systems and field devices were engineered for stability and deterministic performance. They were not designed for a world in which plants are expected to support high-volume sensor data, historical analytics, real-time context and closer integration between operational technology and enterprise systems. As digital transformation accelerates, the strain is becoming harder to ignore.
The problem is not that traditional systems no longer work. In many plants they still perform reliably. The issue is that the pace of software innovation now far exceeds the replacement cycle of industrial hardware. Cloud-native tools, edge computing, digital twins and AI-led optimisation are advancing quickly, while many sites remain tied to architectures that are difficult, costly and risky to update.
That mismatch is pushing many operators to reconsider how automation is designed and maintained. According to Schneider Electric, one answer is to separate software innovation from the physical control layer. In practical terms, that means keeping the stable hardware infrastructure in place while allowing applications, analytics, visualisation and integration layers to evolve independently.
This approach matters because the alternative is often a disruptive rip-and-replace programme. In industrial environments, shutdown windows are limited, commissioning carries risk and regulatory obligations can make large-scale change especially difficult. Decoupling software from hardware offers a way to modernise incrementally, rather than forcing plants to choose between stagnation and wholesale replacement.
Schneider Electric has positioned its EcoStruxure Automation Expert platform around that idea. The company describes it as a software-centric automation system built on the IEC 61499 standard for interoperability. Earlier releases were also presented as supporting portable, asset-centric software components that are independent of the underlying hardware, while later versions added broader IT and OT integration, more advanced graphical tools and compatibility across operating systems such as Linux and Windows.
For industrial users, the appeal is not simply architectural elegance. A decoupled model can support faster fault diagnosis, more flexible maintenance planning and better visibility across production assets. It can also make condition-based maintenance more practical by giving teams the data they need to intervene before small issues become failures.
Cybersecurity is another reason the model is gaining attention. Many legacy operational environments were never built to connect cleanly to corporate networks, cloud services or remote-support tools. Introducing software and edge layers around existing systems can improve monitoring, access control and patch management without disturbing core control functions.
The broader value proposition is that plants can upgrade on their own timetable. Rather than waiting for equipment to fail or scheduling major outages to refresh the entire stack, operators can prioritise changes by business impact, risk exposure and internal readiness. For sectors under pressure to cut emissions, improve resilience and do more with existing assets, that flexibility is increasingly important.
- https://cbn.co.za/industry-news/automation-process-control-news/decoupling-software-from-hardware-for-future-proofed-process-automation/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621441846/en/Schneider-Electric-launches-EcoStruxure-Automation-Expert-V23.0-The-Cutting-Edge-Evolution-of-Industrial-Automation – Schneider Electric has launched EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert V23.0, the world’s first software-centric industrial automation system. This solution enables the decoupling of automation software from hardware, allowing for more sustainable industrial operations and improved IT and OT integration across various industries, including consumer-packaged goods, logistics, manufacturing plants, and water and wastewater treatment facilities. The system is based on the IEC61499 standard for interoperability and offers enhanced integration with AVEVA System Platform, a new graphical editor for procedural automation, and multi-OS compatibility with the EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert HMI and archive, now available on Linux and Windows. ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621441846/en/Schneider-Electric-launches-EcoStruxure-Automation-Expert-V23.0-The-Cutting-Edge-Evolution-of-Industrial-Automation?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.automation.com/article/schneider-electric-21-1-ecostruxure-automation – Schneider Electric has released version 21.1 of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, its software-centric universal automation system. This release includes enhanced cybersecurity, diagnostics, discovery and commissioning features, and expanded libraries and language support. The system enables automation applications to be built using asset-centric, portable, proven-in-use software components, independent of the underlying hardware infrastructure, delivering unprecedented cost and performance gains and freeing engineers to innovate by automating low-value work and eliminating task duplication across tools. ([automation.com](https://www.automation.com/article/schneider-electric-21-1-ecostruxure-automation?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.sdcexec.com/software-technology/automation/news/21378282/schneider-electric-schneider-electric-releases-softwarecentric-automation-system – Schneider Electric has released version 21.1 of EcoStruxure Automation Expert, a software-centric universal automation system for consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical, and logistics enterprises. The system includes enhanced cybersecurity, diagnostics, discovery and commissioning features, and expanded libraries and language support. By separating the hardware and software lifecycles, EcoStruxure Automation Expert enables automation applications to be built using asset-centric, portable, proven-in-use software components, independent of the underlying hardware infrastructure, delivering unprecedented cost and performance gains and freeing engineers to innovate by automating low-value work and eliminating task duplication across tools. ([sdcexec.com](https://www.sdcexec.com/software-technology/automation/news/21378282/schneider-electric-schneider-electric-releases-softwarecentric-automation-system?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.automation.com/article/schneider-electric-plug-industrial-automation – Schneider Electric is implementing Agile software development methodology to deliver a new EcoStruxure Automation Expert release, based on direct customer feedback, every six months. EcoStruxure Automation Expert, first launched to the public in November 2020, is the world’s first universal automation offer, based on the IEC61499 standard for interoperability and portability. This approach enables manufacturers to achieve step-change advancements with a digital-first approach to industrial automation, allowing operations to react quickly to fluctuating market and environmental dynamics and rapidly mitigate potential risks. ([automation.com](https://www.automation.com/article/schneider-electric-plug-industrial-automation?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.se.com/us/en/download/document/DIA3ED2201101EN/ – This catalog provides information about EcoStruxure Automation Expert, a software-defined automation platform. It covers the general overview, features, software components including Build Time, HMI, Archive, and libraries. The document details various controller options such as Soft dPAC, High Availability Soft dPAC, Modicon M580 dPAC, M251 dPAC, M262 dPAC, and Altivar ATV dPAC. It also includes information on licensing models, compatibility with hardware modules, and architecture examples for different application scenarios. ([se.com](https://www.se.com/us/en/download/document/DIA3ED2201101EN/?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIpky4ZE7S8 – This video from Schneider Electric introduces EcoStruxure Automation Expert, a software-defined industrial automation platform that accelerates engineering operations and time to market. It highlights how the platform enables industrial enterprises to become more agile, productive, and efficient by easily integrating advanced technologies, data, and artificial intelligence, shaping the future of automation. The video emphasizes the benefits of decoupling software from hardware in industrial automation systems. ([youtube.com](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIpky4ZE7S8&utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
4
Notes:
The article discusses Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert, a software-centric industrial automation system. The latest version, V23.0, was launched in June 2023 ([businesswire.com](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230621441846/en/Schneider-Electric-launches-EcoStruxure-Automation-Expert-V23.0-The-Cutting-Edge-Evolution-of-Industrial-Automation?utm_source=openai)). The article appears to be based on this press release, suggesting it may be a republished or derivative piece. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 2023, which is over a year ago. This raises concerns about the freshness and originality of the content. Additionally, the article includes updated data but recycles older material, further questioning its originality. Given these factors, the freshness score is reduced.
Quotes check
Score:
3
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes attributed to Schneider Electric, such as statements from Hugo Lafontaine, Vice President of Industrial Automation & EcoStruxure at Schneider Electric Canada. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through online searches, raising concerns about their authenticity. Without independent verification, the credibility of these quotes is questionable.
Source reliability
Score:
2
Notes:
The article originates from CBN, a niche publication. The content appears to be based on a press release from Schneider Electric, which is a corporate source. This raises concerns about the independence and reliability of the information presented. The lack of independent verification and reliance on a single corporate source further diminishes the source’s reliability.
Plausibility check
Score:
5
Notes:
The claims about EcoStruxure Automation Expert’s capabilities align with Schneider Electric’s known offerings. However, the lack of independent verification and reliance on a single corporate source raise questions about the accuracy and completeness of the information. The absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets further diminishes the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article is based on a press release from Schneider Electric, a corporate source, and lacks independent verification. The content appears to be recycled or derivative, with no new information or analysis. The absence of supporting details from other reputable outlets and the inability to independently verify quotes further diminish the credibility of the article. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a FAIL.
