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.
Flokzu
Flokzu is a low-code cloud solution that helps you automate business processes and document workflows using a visual drag-and-drop interface to improve team productivity and operational efficiency.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Flokzu |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | flokzu.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $15/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 14 days 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 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Montevideo, Uruguay |
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.
Flokzu
Flokzu is a cloud-based low-code platform designed to help you automate your business processes without needing advanced programming skills. You can transform manual, paper-based tasks into digital workflows by defining forms, setting up process stages, and assigning responsibilities to your team members in a central environment.
The platform is built for mid-sized to large organizations that need to standardize operations across departments like HR, Finance, or Operations. By using the international BPMN standard, you can map out complex sequences, set deadlines, and track every task's progress in real-time. This helps you eliminate bottlenecks and ensures that no important document or request falls through the cracks.
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.
Flokzu Features
- Visual Process Modeler. Draw your business processes using the global BPMN standard with a simple drag-and-drop interface that requires zero coding.
- Custom Form Builder. Create professional data entry forms with various field types, attachments, and visibility rules to capture exactly what you need.
- Automated Notifications. Set up automatic email alerts and reminders so your team always knows when a task requires their immediate attention.
- Database Integration. Connect your workflows to external databases and web services to pull or push information across your entire software stack.
- Advanced Search & Reporting. Find any process instance instantly and generate custom reports to analyze your team's performance and identify operational delays.
- Parallel Tasks. Configure workflows where multiple team members can work on different parts of a process simultaneously to save time.
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
Flokzu Pricing
- Unlimited processes
- Unlimited document attachments
- BPMN 2.0 modeler
- Public forms
- Database fields
- Email support
- Everything in Standard, plus:
- Web Services (API) integration
- Zapier integration
- Advanced reporting
- Priority support
- Custom domain options
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
Flokzu
Pros
- Very short learning curve for non-technical users
- Excellent customer support with fast response times
- Compliant with international BPMN 2.0 standards
- Flexible form builder handles complex data needs
- Affordable entry point for professional BPM tools
Cons
- Mobile app interface feels less polished than desktop
- Advanced reporting requires the higher-tier plans
- Limited native integrations without using Zapier