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.
zenon
zenon is a modular industrial automation software platform that connects machines, sensors, and systems to provide real-time data visualization, process control, and advanced analytics for manufacturing and energy sectors.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Automation Studio | zenon |
|---|---|---|
| Website | br-automation.com | copadata.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 | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Eggelsberg, Austria | Salzburg, Austria |
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.
zenon
zenon is an industrial automation platform that helps you take full control of your manufacturing or energy production environments. Instead of dealing with fragmented data, you can connect everything from simple sensors to complex PLC systems into a single, unified interface. You can monitor your entire facility in real-time, identify bottlenecks instantly, and ensure your operations meet strict compliance standards through automated reporting and audit trails.
The platform scales with your needs, whether you are managing a single machine or coordinating multiple global production sites. You can reduce engineering time by using pre-configured components and templates rather than writing complex code from scratch. It is particularly effective for highly regulated industries like pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and automotive manufacturing where precision and data integrity are non-negotiable.
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.
zenon Features
- Universal Connectivity. Connect to any hardware using over 300 native communication protocols to sync your entire shop floor seamlessly.
- Smart Reporting. Generate automated reports on production quality and energy consumption to identify savings and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Visual Process Control. Create intuitive HMI screens with drag-and-drop elements so your operators can monitor complex processes at a glance.
- Predictive Maintenance. Analyze historical data trends to predict equipment failures before they happen and reduce your unscheduled downtime.
- Multi-Project Administration. Manage and update multiple projects across different locations from a central station to maintain global operational standards.
- Alarm Management. Receive instant notifications about system deviations so you can react quickly and prevent costly production errors.
Pricing Comparison
Automation Studio Pricing
zenon 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
zenon
Pros
- Extensive library of native drivers for hardware compatibility
- Object-oriented engineering significantly reduces project development time
- High level of security and compliance for regulated industries
- Excellent scalability from local HMI to enterprise-wide SCADA
Cons
- Initial learning curve due to the vast feature set
- Premium pricing reflects its enterprise-grade industrial capabilities
- Documentation can be technical and dense for new users