ABB Automation Builder
ABB Automation Builder is an integrated software suite providing a unified development environment for configuring, programming, and managing PLC, safety, drive, and control components in industrial automation systems.
Decisions
Decisions is a comprehensive no-code automation platform that combines a rules engine and workflow designer to help you automate complex business processes and data handling without writing any code.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Decisions |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | decisions.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1988 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Virginia Beach, USA |
Overview
ABB Automation Builder
ABB Automation Builder provides you with a single, integrated software environment to manage your entire automation project. Instead of switching between multiple tools, you can configure, program, and troubleshoot PLCs, safety controllers, drives, and control panels from one interface. This unified approach helps you reduce engineering time and minimize the risk of integration errors during complex machine builds.
You can streamline your development process using standardized CODESYS programming and extensive libraries for motion control and robotics. Whether you are building a standalone machine or managing a large-scale industrial plant, the software scales to meet your technical requirements. It helps you maintain consistency across your hardware lifecycle while ensuring your safety and motion parameters are perfectly synchronized.
Decisions
Decisions is a no-code automation platform designed to help you build complex business processes without writing a single line of code. You can create sophisticated workflows, integrate disparate data sources, and manage intricate business rules through a purely visual interface. It is built for organizations that need to bridge the gap between IT requirements and business operations, allowing you to deploy enterprise-grade applications rapidly.
You can use the platform to automate everything from simple task assignments to high-volume financial transactions or healthcare compliance checks. It scales effectively for mid-market and enterprise companies that require high reliability and security. By using its drag-and-drop designers, you reduce your reliance on specialized coding resources and speed up your digital transformation projects significantly.
Overview
ABB Automation Builder Features
- Unified Engineering Configure your PLCs, drives, and control panels within a single project file to ensure data consistency across your system.
- Standardized Programming Write your logic once using CODESYS-based languages and reuse code across different hardware platforms to save development time.
- Virtual Commissioning Test your automation logic against a digital twin before physical hardware arrives to catch errors early and reduce site risks.
- Integrated Safety Design and verify your functional safety requirements directly within the suite to meet strict industrial compliance standards easily.
- Drive Integration Set up and tune your industrial drives directly from the PLC environment without needing separate serial cables or software.
- Extensive Libraries Access pre-built function blocks for motion control, water treatment, and solar tracking to accelerate your specific industry applications.
Decisions Features
- No-Code Workflow Designer. Build end-to-end business processes visually using a drag-and-drop interface that handles everything from simple tasks to complex logic.
- Business Rules Engine. Manage complex decision logic separately from your workflows so you can update business policies instantly without changing your entire process.
- Visual Form Builder. Create responsive user interfaces and data entry forms that look great on any device using simple drag-and-drop components.
- Data Integration Toolkit. Connect to any database, web service, or legacy system with pre-built connectors to ensure your data flows where you need it.
- Graphical Reporting. Monitor your process performance in real-time with customizable dashboards and reports that help you identify and fix operational bottlenecks.
- REST API Generation. Turn any workflow or rule you create into a reachable API endpoint automatically to connect with your existing software stack.
Pricing Comparison
ABB Automation Builder Pricing
- Engineering for AC500-eCo PLCs
- Drive configuration tools
- Control panel programming
- Standard CODESYS editors
- Basic hardware configuration
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Full AC500 PLC support
- Integrated safety configuration
- Advanced network diagnostics
- Productivity library access
Decisions Pricing
Pros & Cons
ABB Automation Builder
Pros
- Single environment reduces software management overhead
- Excellent integration with ABB hardware ecosystems
- CODESYS foundation makes programming familiar for engineers
- Strong virtual commissioning tools reduce startup time
Cons
- License management can be complex for teams
- Hardware requirements for the software are high
- Steep learning curve for the professional features
Decisions
Pros
- Extremely flexible platform handles almost any complex business logic
- Visual debugger makes finding and fixing process errors very simple
- Excellent customer support and active community for technical help
- Seamless integration capabilities with various third-party databases and tools
Cons
- Initial learning curve is steep due to the platform's depth
- Documentation can sometimes lag behind the latest feature releases
- Requires significant server resources for high-volume on-premise deployments