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.
Nintex
Nintex provides a comprehensive process intelligence and automation platform designed to help you discover, manage, and automate complex business workflows across your entire organization without writing any code.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ABB Automation Builder | Nintex |
|---|---|---|
| Website | abb.com | nintex.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 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 | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Zurich, Switzerland | Bellevue, 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.
Nintex
Nintex helps you take control of your business processes by giving you the tools to visually map, manage, and automate every step of your workflow. You can start by identifying inefficiencies with process discovery tools and then build automated solutions using a drag-and-drop interface that requires no coding knowledge. Whether you are generating complex documents, capturing data through digital forms, or orchestrating tasks across different departments, the platform centralizes everything in one place.
You can connect your existing tech stack, including SharePoint, Salesforce, and Office 365, to ensure data flows smoothly between systems. The platform is designed for departments like HR, finance, and operations that need to eliminate manual data entry and reduce human error. By providing clear visibility into how work gets done, you can continuously optimize your operations and scale your automation efforts as your company grows.
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.
Nintex Features
- Visual Process Mapping. Map out your business processes visually so everyone on your team understands exactly how work should flow.
- Drag-and-Drop Automation. Build sophisticated workflows without writing code by simply dragging actions into a logical sequence for your team.
- Digital Form Creator. Create custom branded forms to capture accurate data from any device, even when your team is working offline.
- Document Generation. Generate consistent contracts, invoices, and reports automatically using data pulled directly from your existing business applications.
- Robotic Process Automation. Deploy software bots to handle high-volume, repetitive tasks like data entry and screen scraping to save time.
- e-Signature Integration. Send documents for secure electronic signature directly from your automated workflows to close deals and approvals faster.
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
Nintex 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
Nintex
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface simplifies complex workflow creation
- Deep integration with Microsoft SharePoint and Office 365
- Powerful document generation capabilities save hours of manual work
- Reliable performance for high-volume enterprise automation needs
Cons
- Initial setup and configuration can be time-consuming
- Pricing is high for small businesses or startups
- Advanced features require a significant learning curve