Universal Automation
A call for changese.comExecutive Summary
Since its humble beginnings in the mid-20th century, computer-based
automation technology has helped propel industry forward. Now we havereached a critical crossroads.
Should we continue investing in technology created decades ago, or
should we embrace a new era of software-defined automation that fully
harnesses the potential of the digital world?
Will we continue to accept the limitations we have learned to live with:big engineering efforts, lack of modularization, and barriers that inhibit
adaptability and hinder innovation? Or is it time to break free from ourcurrent paradigm of proprietary, closed automation—and write a new
playbook for the future?

Shared source is an approach wherea software or hardware source code ismade available to a broader community.
Unlike traditional proprietary software,
where the source code is kept private andcontrolled by a single entity, the sharedsource approach allows a more inclusiveand collaborative development process.

In Digital Transformation: Survive and Thrive in an Era of Mass Extinction,Thomas Siebel proposes that organizations,“

Recognize when an existing model has run its course and evolve. They must create new,innovative processes that take advantage of the most abundant and available resources.
They must prepare for future upheavals by developing systems with interchangeable parts;
produce faster, scale faster, work faster.”

We believe it is time to invigorate industry witha shared source model, like the ones used in
the computing, smartphone, and ecommerce
worlds (among others). By sharing technology,
we can build a plug and produce ecosystem
of automation applications that solve specificchallenges in a proven way. Think of all theapps in your smartphone app store.
Software-defined automation will fuelinnovation and support long-lasting growth in asustainable way.

It’s time foruniversal automation.

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric2

The future of industry
is wide open.
Question:

What do these companies have in common?
Engineers in a major water treatment plant streamline a water recycling project, cutting
engineering time by 20% to tackle water scarcity.

A systems integrator delivers a future-ready operations update, featuring simplified IT
integration including predictive maintenance, for an international consumer packaged
goods company to better meet changing market demands.

A global manufacturer reduces CapEx by 35% and cuts downtime by 25% in its smart
warehousing operation to improve customer service.

A pioneer in permanent carbon capture increases yield and scalability while reducing
engineering costs to combat climate change.

Efficiency reigns as an intelligent refrigeration equipment company cuts commissioning
time by 30% with “wrap and reuse” of automation assets and digital twin technology to
speed time to market and increase ROI.

Answer:universal automation
See more examples here

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric3What is universal automation
Universal automation is the combination of two things:

1.

It is a shared-source
implementation of an automation
standard* for portability, reusability,and distribution of applications
across platforms.

2.

It is an independent, not-for-profit
association of users, vendors, andacademics managing that sharedsource implementation. It is called
UniversalAutomation.org, and isopen to anyone willing to change
the game of automation.

*The IEC 61499 standard defines ahigh-level system design languagefor distributed information andcontrol systems.
IEC 64199 addresses the challenge ofensuring portability, configurability, andinteroperability of application software
across different vendors. Additionally,
it promotes software andhardware independence.
The IEC 61499 standard extends andenhances the IEC 61131-3 standard.
Learn more about IEC 61499

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric4Digitalization:
Industry's Quantum Leap
Manufacturing and process industries are undergoing a digital upgradethat is forever transforming the way we process and manufacture goods
and services.

In this fourth industrial revolution, automation is
integrating with advanced technologies suchas artificial intelligence and machine learning
to improve real-time control of critical business,
operating, and sustainability variables with
unprecedented precision.
Information technology (IT) and operational
technology (OT) are converging into smart,interconnected systems that can swiftly adapt
to any changing condition, while continuing toenhance efficiency, productivity, sustainability,and financial performance.

“The level of digital information
within the organization combinedwith that available in the virtual world
can enhance the organization’s
understanding, preparation, monitoring,
response, and recovery related tocrises. Given this, we see digitalizationas ‘the great enabler’ of end-to-end
organizational resilience.”
Deloitte

Sometimes referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the IT/OT connection is used tomake data-driven decisions that sustainably improve financial performance.
According to a report by McKinsey, “Smart manufacturing has the potential to create up to $3.7
trillion in value by 2025, driving growth, innovation, and competitiveness across sectors.” By
bridging the gap between IT and OT, manufacturing and process companies realize faster andmore efficient productivity, while infusing their operations with the flexibility and intelligence toscale as needed.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
IT

OT

Data management and analytics

Data acquisition

Connectivity and networking

Real-time control

Visualization, digital twin

Process monitoring

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric5Unlocking Industry 4.0
Unfortunately, Industry 4.0's potential is constrained by outdated,
proprietary automation platforms. Most industrial automation architecture
in use today was defined decades ago. These hardware-based systems
were never built to take advantage of the advanced technologies andenormous computing power that we have today.
Unchanging design principles make integration cumbersome, upgrades
costly, and tether systems to specific machines. These proprietarysystems stifle innovation, increase ownership costs, and hinder
IT-driven progress.
Automation solutions that cannot seamlessly work across multivendor
installations hinder problem-solving and make it difficult for companies
to adapt to the fast-paced digital landscape.

“Innovations in digitalization andconnectivity as well as advances inprocessing power and design regularly
disrupt markets. In the smartphonemarket, the iPhone and the iTunes
ecosystem redefined what consumers
wanted and how they would get it. The
idea of software-defined cars that could
be updated over the air—sometimes called‘smartphones on wheels’—first became
reality in the automotive market in 2012.”
McKinsey & Company

This leads to excessive engineering expenses, delayed innovation, andreduced agility - resulting in missed opportunities. When automation
apps designed for one vendor do not easily work on others:• Innovation is stalled and the pace of change is slow
• Isolated control islands require complex engineering to unify plant systems• Extra interfaces lead to lower reliability, increased downtime, and higher costs

But change is possible.

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric

6Software-defined automation
Next-generation manufacturing and process operations do not have tobe centered around an automation system architecture at all. Instead,the automation system can be an open platform tool that is used to
implement new manufacturing and production models. The convergenceof digital technology advancements, ubiquitous data, and widespreadconnectivity now make it possible.
Software-defined automation separates the hardware from the software.
This opens opportunities for cost-effective, simple interoperability withenterprise IT systems across the full lifecycle—from design to operations
to supply chain and beyond.
According to the IDC report Software-Defined Industrial Automation, “thedatacenter and IT worlds have already driven significant cost savings andoptimization of IT environments by utilizing a mix of hardware solutions
being orchestrated and executed by a unified virtualized software stack.
These same technology trends are now on the cusp of revolutionizing theway industrial automation systems are built. … A confluence of significant
market trends are making the shift to software-defined automation
inevitable.”

Software-defined automation can“control multiple hardware assets froma variety of containerized software
running on shared hardware resources.
These hardware resources could benext-generation PLCs, or they could
be more IT-like hardware suchas ruggedized or advanced
networking equipment.”
IDC

Portability: ability of a software
application or program to run on
different computer systems or platforms
without major modifications. It ensuresthat the software can be easily moved
or "ported" from one environment
to another without significant codechanges. This enhances flexibility andcompatibility across various devices
and systems.
Shared-source technology allows
developers to adapt and customize
the software for different platforms,
enhancing its portability. It also fosters
collaboration and independence froma single vendor, further supporting
portability efforts.

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric

7

Portable automation applications
To succeed in a software-driven world, portability is essential. We’ve
seen the IT, energy, and telecommunications spaces thrive with thismodel. These sectors prove that using shared source technology not only
saves time and cost but also fosters continuous improvement and easy
adaptation to evolving conditions.
Industry-wide adoption of a common universal automation layer acrossvendors will guarantee application interoperability and portability fornext-generation automation software. This will allow manufacturers andprocess industries to retrofit or build their automation systems with ease,avoiding extensive engineering efforts and preventing non-cohesive
system designs that incur technical debt.

Technical debt: the cost andcomplexity that accumulates when
design compromises or shortcuts are
made, resulting in suboptimal qualitythat is hard to maintain and evolve.
It represents the extra effort required
to address deficiencies and refactor or
improve the design in the future.

Plug and Produce
Universal automation allows OEMs, system integrators, and end users
to build automation solutions by plugging together best-of-breed
applications using low-code graphical tools.
The IT and telecommunications markets love their plug-and-playapplications because they work as soon as they are activated, they areeasy to use (and update), and they are reliable. Much in the same waythat consumers can easily deploy apps to their devices to simplify theirlives, based on their own unique needs, universal automation enables
plant managers, operators, and engineers to deploy the apps andsolutions they need to overcome their unique business and operating
challenges. All industrial stakeholders can benefit from much simpler,
less labor intensive behind-the-scenes integration.

What is Open Automation?
Open has many different meanings
in the operational technology world
today. Progress has been made,but there is more work to be done
before industry widely accepts andimplements true "open automation.”In the information technology world,
open software provides transparent
access to its inner workings, enablingcustomization and development by
third-party entities.
Interoperable industrial systems ordevices can connect and exchange
information (communicate) witheach other by leveraging networking
protocols. However, today’s automation
networking protocols aren’t always
open, or standards based, and someare proprietary. And interoperable
doesn’t necessarily mean portable.
Portable industrial applications canbe easily moved between or used on
different platforms or devices without
code changes, modification, or
redevelopment - ensuring compatibility
and smooth operation across different
environments.
Universal applications can be
written once and reused to run
on all automation devices (e.g.,
PLCs, controllers, industrial PCs,
dockers, servers, and others) with
the UniversalAutomation.org runtime
execution engine implemented.

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric

8Open automation
The pressure to adopt “open automation”
has been mounting for stakeholders acrossall corners of industry for a while. Manyorganizations recognize that next-generationindustrial automation must break free fromthe proprietary locked-in model we have now.
UniversalAutomation.Org and other initiatives
are highly complementary. A few examples are:• Open Process Automation Forum (OPAF)• NAMUR• Open Platform Communications Foundation(OPC)

OPAF has adopted the IEC 61499 standard
as part of its O-PAS standard-of-standards.
UniversalAutomation.org provides a vendor-

Universal Automation

independent platform on which the OPAF
model can be built in the form of IEC 61499
software components.
The OPC Foundation has developed a unified
architecture platform (OPC UA) for “the secureand reliable exchange of data in the industrial
automation space and in other industries.”
And in fact, the technology shared by
UniversalAutomation.org has an OPC UA stack
implemented.
Some automation suppliers market their offers
as “open.” However, not all have embraced
vendor-agnostic portability, where automation
applications from one vendor can run on
hardware from another.

Life is On | Schneider Electric9Constraints Are MoreHistorical than Technical
The incentive to take the leap into the industries of the future iscompelling. So, what is stopping us from unleashing this new level ofindustrial excellence? Surprisingly, the constraints are more historical andpsychological than technical.
It is natural for traditional industrial automation vendors to resist change.
The concept of interoperable and portable applications conflicts with
their longstanding business models. However, manufacturing andprocessing companies are beginning to see proprietary automation
systems as a barrier to growth and a cost, rather than an enabler andsource of profit.

What is the difference between
UniversalAutomation.Org and otherstandardization bodies?
UniversalAutomation.org is managing
a shared-source implementation of
the IEC 61499 standard and acts as anaccelerator for other open initiatives.
A proven in use standardized libraryof software components enables
universal automation devices to quickly
implement other open standards. This
mirrors the functionality of modern IT
software systems.

Held hostage by misguided risk-aversion
Vendors benefiting from a proprietary model may argue that building
systems based on best-of-breed components from multiple vendors
increases risk, but the reality is just the opposite:

1.
2.
3.

Risk is reduced when an end user can leverage the domain
expertise of multiple authorities with broad and deep
competence in each field, as well as the fresh perspectives
from up-and-coming innovators that challenge the status quo.
Proven-in-use software applications running on a standardbased system are more reliable and more easily expanded
and adapted for future use. By contrast, custom-programmed
proprietary systems are expensive to maintain and difficult
to upgrade.
In the IT-world, the approach of sharing technology eliminates
the risk associated with interpreting written standards andaccelerates broad support. For example, Linux® has beenused for years in mission-critical applications and is
supported by an extensive ecosystem.

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric

10Universal automation benefits everyone
The reality is that system integrators and EPCs are already building
solutions with components from different vendors. It is just a lot moredifficult than it needs to be.
Moving from a proprietary world to universal automation not only
benefits end users, but it also gives those willing to innovate a headstart in the race for new value built on software innovation. Universal
automation creates market demand for proven-in-use software appsthat bring unique values to users and new revenues for vendors.
Traditional automation suppliers can strengthen their competitive
positions in the digital world by reassessing their unique value-add
and strategically updating their business models.

“Innovations in digitalization andconnectivity as well as advances inprocessing power and design regularly
disrupt markets. In the smartphonemarket, the iPhone and the iTunes
ecosystem redefined what consumers
wanted and how they would get it. The
idea of software-defined cars that could
be updated over the air - sometimes
called “smartphones on wheels” - firstbecame reality in the automotive market
in 2012.”
McKinsey & Company

As automation systems become more flexible and prove increased
end user value, a virtuous cycle will be created where investment
in automation systems will increase. New business models will beenabled, new customers reached, and new markets served.
Closing the Loop of Automation Process

BlackBerry stands as a classic example of the impact of ashared-source model on business success.
As a smartphone pioneer, BlackBerry initially saw substantial
growth due to its secure messaging and email features. However,
the advent of competitors like Apple's iPhone and Google's
Android system led to a significant decline in BlackBerry's market
share. One crucial factor behind this decline was BlackBerry's
proprietary software platform. While competitors enabled app
development ecosystems, BlackBerry devices were limited
to applications built specifically for its platform. This meantthat developers had to create separate apps for BlackBerry,which resulted in a smaller selection and slower development
compared to the robust app stores of iOS and Android.

“Closed-loop process control is the
bedrock of automation, and it always
has been. However, as the systems formeasuring and predicting operational
outcomes based on more complex
and integrated data models evolve, themethods of closing that loop must evolve
as well.
To achieve upper ends of maturity ineither domain will require a merging
of the two. Companies are seeking tocapitalize on their data more effectively inoperations, and the logical progression ofthis requires them to use AI-driven data
models to close the loop of automation
processes.”
IDC

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric11This Changes Everything
Because we believe in the merits of universal automation so strongly,
Schneider Electric launched the first universal automation offer.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert is a software-centric industrial
automation platform. It uses a hardware-independent approach todesign and control for more efficient interoperability, portability, and reusability of applications across vendors. It also can define architectures
based on a user’s specific automation needs.
By decoupling the software layer from the hardware and taking adecentralized approach to automation engineering, it allows portability
and enables IT/OT convergence across the complete lifecycle of anindustrial operation.

"EcoStruxure Automation Expert is agame changer in the world of industrial
automation. Its software-centric plugand-produce architecture empowers
users to easily integrate the mostappropriate solutions for their uniquerequirements, regardless of vendor.”
Frost & Sullivan

In its report, The Road to Universal Automation, ARC stated, “Today’s
demands for greater manufacturing flexibility and higher productivity
require that control system software development must become much
more like IT software development. Far better management of thissoftware as a resource becomes a critical need in the era of Industry 4.0.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert is designed to close this gap.”

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric12Not your parent’s automation
After 50 years, it is software (not hardware) that is driving automation to
the next level. We can create step-change operational improvementswith a portable plug-and-produce application ecosystem that gives users
the freedom to select and integrate best-in-class technologies — without
regard to vendor.
We believe universal automation will unleash a wave of unboundinnovation and usher in a new era of à la carte automation. Portable,interoperable, plug and produce applications that can run on any
universal automation-compatible hardware will create an entirely vendoragnostic environment for optimizing both cost and performance.
Industrial enterprises that embrace universal automation will realize stepchange improvements in productivity, efficiency, and sustainability that
we could only dream of a decade ago.

“According to our analysis, manyof today’s most advanced trends inmanufacturing technologies—suchas digital twins, robots capable ofteaching themselves, and devices thatcan do their own programming—will
become commonplace in the future.
These trends will enable a “softwaredefined” paradigm for industrial
automation.”
McKinsey & Company“A standardized automation systemlayer would be immensely valuablein economic terms. ARC research
estimates the worldwide supplier DCS
services market at $7 billion to $8 billion
per year and that end users spend
approximately $20 to $30 billion peryear to service the installed base. A
substantial part of that spending could
be avoided through a standardized
automation layer. Far beyond the costsavings, standardization would enablehighly skilled process engineers
and technicians to focus more on
production improvements rather thanmerely rewriting legacy code.”
ARC Advisory Group

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric13

Together We Can
Transform Industries
We can overcome the limitations of closed, proprietary automation that have been holding us back.
However, no single company can achieve everything promised by Industry 4.0 alone. To thrive inthis new era, we need an extended ecosystem of collaborators working in synergy. Today, wemust unite, be innovative, and bring about sustainable and lasting positive change forindustrial operations.

Will you be part of the universal
automation future?

About UniversalAutomation.org
UniversalAutomation.Org was formed by a diverse group of industrial leaders andpioneers who joined together to advance the world of automation. For the first time, IT
and OT software vendors, end users, systems integrators, OEMs, start-ups, and higher
education institutions are sharing a common automation software layer across theirproducts and solutions.
UniversalAutomation.Org members are developing interoperable and portable automation
software that can run with almost any hardware, creating an entirely vendor-agnostic
ecosystem for automation software development.
By merging both the information technology and operational technology worlds with ashared-source implementation, the organization seeks to unleash the full potential ofIndustry 4.0 and beyond.
To learn more or to join the team changing the game, visit UniversalAutomation.org

Universal Automation

Life is On | Schneider Electric14Additional Resources
EcoStruxure Automation Expert online demonstration
Introduction to UniversalAutomation.org
Is industrial automation headed for a tipping point? (McKinsey & Company)
New Paths for Automation, a Documentary
Schneider Electric Applauded by Frost & Sullivan for Enabling Interoperability and Improving
Efficiency with Its Universal Automation System (Frost & Sullivan)
Software-Defined Industrial Automation (IDC)
The Road to Universal Automation (ARC Advisory Group)
What are Industry 4.0, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and 4IR? (McKinsey & Company)
What is IEC 61499
Universal Automation: A New Era in the Automation Industry (IIoT World)se.comSchneider Electric Industries SAS
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