Open and integrated solutions are the key to success

As mentioned above, we have always offered an excellent level of integration and openness across all systems – this has been the selling point of TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) for the past 25 years. Consequently, our Simatic PCS 7 process control system is one of the most open control systems on the market. With this concept, we provide our customers with smooth interactions between systems from different manufacturers in modular plants. Initially, the chemical industry was skeptical as to whether, given the complexity of digitalization, this type of open approach could be implemented as an alternative to the one-stop-shop solution. But our success proves us right. We will therefore continue to pursue this strategy of simulating the entire lifecycle through comprehensive vertical and horizontal integration. This also applies to our new control system, the Simatic PCS neo. We are delighted that the issues we have addressed here are in line with the latest trends. For example, the system offers web-based multi-user capabilities, making engineering much easier. Another significant feature for applications in fine chemicals and the pharmaceutical industry is the native support of MTPs (Module Type Packages) and the modularity that this offers.