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.
Siemens Navigator
Siemens Navigator is a cloud-based energy and asset management platform that helps you monitor building performance, track sustainability goals, and reduce operational costs through data-driven insights.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Automation Studio | Siemens Navigator |
|---|---|---|
| Website | br-automation.com | siemens.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 90 days free trial | ✘ No 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 | 1847 |
| Headquarters | Eggelsberg, Austria | Munich, Germany |
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.
Siemens Navigator
Siemens Navigator gives you a centralized command center to manage your entire building portfolio's efficiency. You can connect various data sources—from smart meters to HVAC systems—to gain a transparent view of your energy consumption and carbon footprint. The platform helps you identify hidden waste, verify utility bills, and ensure your facilities meet strict environmental regulations without manual data entry.
You can transform raw building data into actionable strategies using customizable reports and automated alerts. Whether you manage a single site or a global enterprise, the software scales to help you hit net-zero targets and lower utility expenses. It is designed for facility managers, sustainability officers, and energy consultants who need to prove ROI on their building optimization investments.
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.
Siemens Navigator Features
- Energy Analytics. Visualize your consumption patterns across multiple sites to identify peak demand issues and reduce overall utility costs.
- Sustainability Reporting. Track your carbon emissions and greenhouse gas data automatically to simplify compliance with global environmental reporting standards.
- Asset Monitoring. Monitor the health of your critical building equipment in real-time to prevent costly downtime and extend machine life.
- Customizable Dashboards. Build personalized views of your KPIs so you can focus on the specific metrics that matter most to your business.
- Automated Alarms. Receive instant notifications when energy usage exceeds your set thresholds so you can fix inefficiencies before they become expensive.
- Utility Bill Management. Digitize and verify your utility invoices to catch billing errors and streamline your accounts payable process.
Pricing Comparison
Automation Studio Pricing
Siemens Navigator 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
Siemens Navigator
Pros
- Powerful data visualization for large building portfolios
- Highly scalable for global enterprise deployments
- Strong compliance tracking for sustainability goals
- Integrates deeply with Siemens building automation hardware
Cons
- Significant setup time for complex integrations
- Higher price point than basic energy trackers
- Requires professional services for initial configuration