Industrial operators are under growing pressure to modernize automation systems while keeping production running without interruption. Addressing this challenge, ABB has launched a new program aimed at helping industries upgrade their distributed control systems without disrupting daily operations.
The new Automation Extended program builds on ABB’s existing DCS platforms and allows customers to protect earlier investments while gradually adopting new automation technologies. The approach is designed to let operators modernize at their own pace, without putting mission-critical processes at risk.
Automation Extended is built on a modern, open, and modular automation architecture. It supports advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and IoT integration, while keeping core control functions separate from digital innovation layers. This structure allows new capabilities to be deployed, tested, and scaled without interfering with essential operations.
Industrial companies today face market volatility, cybersecurity risks, regulatory pressure, and workforce changes. ABB says the program helps address these challenges by enabling innovation without production disruption, supporting advanced analytics and IoT use, and simplifying operations for teams with varied skill levels.
Customers can continue using trusted systems such as ABB Ability System 800xA, ABB Ability Symphony Plus, and ABB Freelance, while introducing new technologies step by step. This offers a structured and low-risk path to modernization while maintaining operational continuity.
“In industries we serve – many operating large and complex infrastructures that deliver essential resources – our customers rely on modernization without disruption,” said Peter Terwiesch, president of ABB’s Automation business area. “Automation Extended delivers exactly that: bringing future-ready capabilities into the systems they know and trust, with security and interoperability at the core.”
The program is delivered through two securely connected environments. The control environment ensures reliable and deterministic control for critical processes. The digital environment connects securely to this layer and enables AI-driven applications, edge intelligence, and real-time analytics without affecting proven control systems.
ABB also offers a unified automation service approach to manage, maintain, and optimize the full automation ecosystem across its lifecycle.
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