Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy technology, unveiled EcoStruxure™ Foxboro Software Defined Automation (SDA), the first open, software-based Distributed Control System (DCS) in the industry. This new system combines the reliable performance of Foxboro with the flexibility of software-based automation, helping companies in hybrid and process industries modernize faster, lower risks, and get ready for the future.
For many years, Foxboro DCS has been the main control system for industrial operations, managing complex processes in real-time. But today’s needs are different, companies want more flexibility, fewer costly upgrades, as well as easier compliance. EcoStruxure™ Foxboro SDA provides these benefits with flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency, without sacrificing reliability.
Schneider Electric’s recent research with Omdia showed that closed systems cost mid-sized companies 7.5% of their revenue each year due to downtime, inefficiencies, as well as compliance issues.
The Foxboro SDA was made to address customer challenges like old systems, rising costs, and the need to do more with less. It separates hardware from software, aiding companies protect existing investments and modernize with less risk. This results in simpler operations, quicker insights, as well as better long-term performance.
As the first software-defined DCS, Foxboro SDA is built on EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE) and offers easy deployment, strong data connections, and the ability to adapt to different needs while ensuring high reliability. It keeps data connected throughout the entire lifecycle of a plant from design to production to maintenance leading to better product quality and smarter, real-time business decisions.
Customers will benefit from a future-proof upgrade path, built-in cybersecurity, and easier operations that support both IT and operational technology (OT). Foxboro SDA is not just a control system, it’s a key enabler of digital transformation, driven by data and designed for agility.
Executive Statement
According to Craig Resnick, Vice President at ARC Advisory Group, the launch of EcoStruxure™ Foxboro SDA marks a major milestone in the evolution of process industrial automation. By decoupling control logic from hardware, Schneider Electric is offering manufacturers with the agility to scale, adapt, and simplify their operations. This software defined approach helps to reduce maintenance costs, protect legacy automation investments, and ensure digital continuity throughout the entire plant lifecycle.
