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.
Fluix
Fluix is a mobile-first document management and workflow automation platform that helps field teams digitize paper forms, automate recurring tasks, and collect electronic signatures to streamline remote operations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Fluix |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | fluix.io |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $30/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 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Berlin, Germany |
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.
Fluix
Fluix is a lightweight document management and workflow automation platform designed specifically for teams with personnel in the field. You can transform your paper-based processes into digital workflows, allowing your technicians and inspectors to complete mobile forms, capture signatures, and sync data instantly from remote sites. It eliminates the delays caused by manual data entry and physical document transport.
You can manage your entire operation from a central dashboard, where you assign tasks and track progress in real-time. The platform is built to work reliably without an internet connection, ensuring your team stays productive in any environment. It is particularly effective for industries like construction, renewable energy, and aviation where safety compliance and field reporting are critical to daily operations.
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.
Fluix Features
- Mobile Form Filling. Complete digital PDF forms on your iPad or iPhone with automated calculations and data validation to ensure accuracy.
- Electronic Signatures. Collect legally binding signatures from customers and supervisors directly on mobile devices to close out jobs faster.
- Offline Productivity. Fill out forms and capture data without an internet connection, then sync automatically once you are back online.
- Workflow Builder. Map out your business processes visually to ensure documents always reach the right person at the right time.
- Task Management. Distribute specific jobs and digital documents to your field crew and monitor their completion status in real-time.
- Conditional Logic. Create smart forms that show or hide fields based on user input to simplify complex inspections for your team.
- Reporting Dashboards. Turn your field data into actionable insights with visual charts that track performance and compliance trends.
- Document Distribution. Ensure your entire team always has the latest versions of manuals, safety guidelines, and project plans on their devices.
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
Fluix Pricing
- Mobile app for field teams
- Document distribution
- Electronic signatures
- Offline data capture
- Workflow automation
- Standard integrations
- Everything in Core, plus:
- Advanced data reporting
- Visual analytics dashboards
- Data export to BI tools
- Custom report scheduling
- Performance tracking
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
Fluix
Pros
- Extremely reliable offline mode for remote field work
- Simple user interface requires very little technician training
- Fast deployment compared to complex enterprise ERP systems
- Excellent customer support during the initial setup phase
Cons
- Initial setup of complex workflows takes time
- Pricing is higher than basic PDF editing tools
- Mobile app is primarily optimized for iOS devices