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.
Nected
Nected is a low-code rule engine and workflow automation platform that helps you build, manage, and iterate complex business logic without heavy reliance on engineering teams.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Nected |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | nected.ai |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1988 | 2022 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Bangalore, India |
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.
Nected
Nected is a low-code platform designed to help you decouple complex business logic from your core codebase. Instead of waiting for long development cycles, you can create, test, and deploy rule engines and workflows through an intuitive visual interface. It bridges the gap between product requirements and technical execution by allowing non-developers to manage the rules that power their applications.
You can connect your existing databases and APIs directly to the platform to trigger actions based on real-time data. Whether you are managing dynamic pricing, credit scoring, or personalized marketing triggers, it provides the tools to iterate quickly. The platform is built for growth-stage startups and enterprises that need to maintain agility while scaling their backend 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.
Nected Features
- Visual Rule Engine. Create complex if-then-else logic and decision tables using a drag-and-drop interface that requires zero coding knowledge.
- Native Data Connectors. Connect directly to MongoDB, Postgres, MySQL, and REST APIs to pull live data into your automated workflows.
- Staging & Versioning. Test your changes in a sandbox environment and maintain a full history of versions to ensure safe deployments.
- Custom JS Functions. Extend your logic by writing custom JavaScript snippets when you need to handle highly specific or advanced calculations.
- Real-time Analytics. Monitor how your rules are performing with built-in logs and execution tracking to identify bottlenecks instantly.
- API-First Integration. Trigger your rules and workflows via simple API calls, making it easy to embed logic into any existing application.
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
Nected Pricing
- Up to 1,000 executions/month
- Unlimited rules and workflows
- Standard connectors
- Community support
- Basic version history
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Up to 50,000 executions/month
- Priority email support
- Advanced data connectors
- Role-based access control
- Extended version history
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
Nected
Pros
- Reduces dependency on engineering teams for logic changes
- Fast integration with existing SQL and NoSQL databases
- Intuitive UI for building complex decision tables
- Generous free tier for testing and small projects
Cons
- Requires initial technical setup for data connections
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with logic structures
- Documentation can be technical for non-developers