Automation Studio
Automation Studio is a unified engineering software environment that provides a single tool for controlling, visualizing, and configuring all your industrial automation components and robotic systems in one place.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
EcoStruxure Machine Expert is a professional software solution for developing, configuring, and commissioning entire machines in a single environment to improve your engineering efficiency and reduce time to market.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Automation Studio | EcoStruxure Machine Expert |
|---|---|---|
| Website | br-automation.com | schneider-electric.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 90 days free trial | ✓ 42 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No 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 | 1979 | 1836 |
| Headquarters | Eggelsberg, Austria | Rueil-Malmaison, France |
Overview
Automation Studio
Automation Studio is the integrated engineering environment for B&R automation components. You can manage every aspect of your machine's lifecycle—from controller programming and drive configuration to HMI design and safety functions—within a single workspace. This unified approach eliminates the need to switch between different tools, helping you reduce development time and maintain consistency across your entire hardware fleet.
You can develop complex applications using standard languages like C, C++, or IEC 61131-3 while simulating your entire machine in a virtual environment before any hardware arrives. This allows you to catch errors early and optimize performance without risking physical equipment. Whether you are building high-speed packaging lines or complex robotic cells, the platform provides the modularity you need to scale your designs efficiently.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
EcoStruxure Machine Expert is your all-in-one engineering environment for designing and programming industrial machinery. You can manage every stage of the machine lifecycle, from initial logic configuration and motion control to HMI design and safety integration, within a single software suite. It simplifies complex automation tasks by providing a unified interface for Schneider Electric’s range of controllers and drive systems.
You can reduce your development time significantly by using pre-defined libraries and functional modules tailored for specific industrial applications. The platform helps you improve machine performance through advanced diagnostic tools and simulation capabilities that let you test your logic before physical deployment. It is designed for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and automation engineers who need to build high-performance, connected machines quickly.
Overview
Automation Studio Features
- Unified Engineering Configure your controllers, drives, HMI, and safety components in one environment to ensure total system compatibility.
- Hardware Simulation Test your code on a virtual twin of your machine to identify bugs and optimize cycles without physical hardware.
- Multi-Language Support Write your logic in C, C++, or any IEC 61131-3 language to match your team's existing programming expertise.
- Modular Software Architecture Create reusable software components that you can easily deploy across different machine variants to save development time.
- Integrated Diagnostics Access real-time system data and trace variables remotely to troubleshoot performance issues and minimize machine downtime.
- Visual HMI Design Build modern, web-based operator interfaces using drag-and-drop tools that look great on any industrial touch screen.
EcoStruxure Machine Expert Features
- Unified Configuration. Configure your logic, motion, HMI, and network settings within a single software environment to eliminate data duplication.
- Application Libraries. Access ready-to-use functional blocks and tested architectures to speed up your machine design and reduce programming errors.
- Collaborative Engineering. Work simultaneously with your team on the same project using integrated version control and multi-user support features.
- Advanced Simulation. Test your machine logic and motion profiles in a virtual environment to identify issues before commissioning physical hardware.
- Safety Integration. Program and configure your functional safety requirements directly alongside your standard control logic for better system integrity.
- Cloud Connectivity. Connect your machines to cloud-based services easily to enable remote monitoring and predictive maintenance for your customers.
Pricing Comparison
Automation Studio Pricing
EcoStruxure Machine Expert Pricing
Pros & Cons
Automation Studio
Pros
- Single environment for all hardware components
- Excellent simulation capabilities reduce commissioning time
- Supports standard high-level programming languages
- Highly stable performance for complex machinery
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Proprietary to B&R hardware ecosystems
- Documentation can be dense for beginners
EcoStruxure Machine Expert
Pros
- Single environment for logic, motion, and HMI
- Extensive libraries for common industrial machine functions
- Robust simulation tools reduce physical commissioning time
- Seamless integration with Schneider Electric hardware components
Cons
- High system requirements for smooth software performance
- Steep learning curve for users new to CODESYS
- Licensing process can be complex for small teams