In an era where technological advancements are rapidly evolving, the landscape of industrial automation is no exception. The traditional approach of working in silos is giving way to strategic alliances, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and mutual growth. At the heart of this evolution is the concept of open collaboration, a philosophy that PLCnext Technology has long championed.
Join us as we delve into this discussion with Phoenix Contact COO Ulrich Leidecker. He is known for his advocacy of open platforms and holistic approaches to industrial projects. Leidecker is a strong proponent of PLCnext Technology, which aims to democratize industrial automation by making it more accessible and collaborative.
We are exploring the synergies expected from these partnerships, the role of innovation, and how the integration of PLCnext Technology is set to benefit customers. This conversation underscores the commitment of Phoenix Contact to delivering customer-centric solutions that harness the power of PLCnext Technology to drive innovation and success.
So, sit back, relax, and let’s embark on this journey to understand the future of industrial automation through the lens of partnerships and collaborative innovation. Enjoy the read!
The Evolution of partnerships in industrial automation
Intro: Ulrich, thanks for sitting down with us.
Leidecker: Thanks for having me.
Q1: Let’s get straight into it: Partnerships in industrial automation have evolved significantly. Can you tell us about this transformation?
Leidecker: The industrial automation industry has experienced significant changes. In recent years, information technology (IT) has risen to prominence within the sector. Unlike in the past, where IT played a secondary role, it now holds a central position. As a result, expertise in IT has become crucial for professionals in this field. The rapid pace of technological advancements necessitates staying informed about the latest tools, frameworks, and practices. Additionally, ensuring future security for customers remains a top priority. Companies must provide solutions that not only address current needs but also anticipate future requirements. This forward-looking approach ensures that customers remain competitive and adaptable in a dynamic market. Lastly, agile integration of new technologies is essential. Whether it’s edge computing, artificial intelligence, or advanced robotics, companies need to adopt these innovations swiftly. Collaborative efforts between partners—such as manufacturers, system integrators, and software developers—are crucial for navigating the complexities of technology adoption and delivering value to end-users.
Intermediate Q: That’s quite a shift. How has the philosophy of openness influenced your approach to partnerships?
Leidecker: This shift towards openness is not just a trend but a necessity. It is the only way we can truly drive innovation and collaboration while providing the best possible solutions for our customers.
PLCnext Technology stands at the forefront of this evolution, embodying the spirit of collaboration. It is designed to be inherently open, allowing for seamless integration with third-party software and hardware. This openness fosters an ecosystem where various partners can contribute their expertise, leading to a synergistic effect that enhances the value of the solutions we offer.
The market has recognized that in the face of complex technological challenges, no single entity holds all the answers. Therefore, partnerships have become more strategic, with a focus on combining strengths to address specific customer needs. The evolution has been from a closed, proprietary approach towards a more collaborative and interconnected framework.
Intermediate Q: Can you provide a specific example?
“We have various partnerships, such as with PLCnext Store developers, system integrators, and providers of training solutions.”
Leidecker: Certainly! Right now, we have several hundred partners, such as PLCnext Store developers, system integrators, and providers of training solutions. Currently, we see a rising need for support in implementing the Cyber Resilience Act. In this context, experts from both IT and OT domains must collaborate closely to address the challenges and align their efforts effectively.
Motivation for strategic partnerships
Q2: Your strategic technology partnership with Festo and Yaskawa aims to combine the innovative strengths of both companies and take industrial automation to a new level. Could you share more about the driving factors behind this decision?
Leidecker: I would say that the driving factors behind our decision to collaborate stem from a shared vision to revolutionize industrial automation. Our collaboration is built on the foundation of openness, expandability, and future viability.
Yaskawa and Phoenix Contact are committed to transitioning from proprietary solutions to an open and future-proof ecosystem for industrial automation. This true technology partnership not only emphasizes openness and expandability but also involves joint development efforts. By working together, we gain significant advantages in terms of time-to-market costs and expertise. A similar approach was taken with Festo.
While there are many companies participating in the ecosystem, Yaskawa and Festo are integral parts of it. As key players, they, like us—the original developers of PLCnext Technology—have full access to the source code. This access allows them to operate independently and significantly contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of the PLCnext Core.
Customer Benefits
Q3: PLCnext Technology is based on an open architecture, allowing for customized solutions and seamless integration of existing systems. How do you see this openness and flexibility enhancing customer experiences?
Leidecker: PLCnext Technology is more than just a product; it’s a revolution in industrial automation that brings unparalleled benefits to our customers. The integration of this ecosystem ensures that customers are at the cutting edge of innovation.
It is designed to evolve alongside the ever-advancing technology landscape, ensuring long-term viability and safeguarding customer’s investments. The inherent connectivity capabilities empower data-driven decision-making, allowing effortless integration of systems into the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The flexible architecture facilitates the incorporation of various programming languages and tools and supports a wide array of modules and third-party components. This enables customers to tailor solutions to their specific needs. Moreover, when choosing PLCnext Technology, customers become part of a thriving community where knowledge-sharing, experiences, and support abound.
Synergies through partnerships
Q4: Looking ahead, what synergies do you expect to achieve through partnerships, especially when tackling future technological challenges like cybersecurity?
Leidecker: PLCnext Technology stands at the forefront of our innovative drive, embodying an ecosystem that is open, flexible, and powerful. Through partnerships, we anticipate a multitude of synergies that will propel us and our partners forward:
- Collaborative Innovation: By combining PLCnext Technology with the specialized expertise of our partners, we can co-create solutions that are more robust, versatile, and tailored to the evolving needs of the industry.
- Expanded Ecosystem: Partnerships will extend the reach of PLCnext Technology into new markets and applications, fostering an ecosystem where ideas can flourish and be rapidly transformed into practical solutions.
- Shared Knowledge and Resources: Working together allows for a shared pool of knowledge and resources, reducing development time and costs, and accelerating time-to-market for new features and products.
Intermediate Q: Can you elaborate on how your partnerships go beyond technology sharing?
Leidecker: The integration of complementary technologies and services from our partners with PLCnext Technology will result in enhanced solutions, providing our customers with a competitive edge through improved functionality and performance. Long-term partnerships play a pivotal role in sustainable business growth. By collaborating with partners who share our vision, we establish a continuous cycle of innovation and improvement, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
In essence, our partnerships extend beyond mere technology sharing; they create a synergy that amplifies our collective strengths, fostering greater innovation, efficiency, and market success.
Intermediate Q: Does that mean you are open to more and new partnerships?
“Yes, we are always open to partnerships, even those that we haven’t considered yet.”
Leidecker: Yes, we are always open to partnerships, even those that we haven’t considered yet. There are always new challenges that we are eager to tackle together.
Regrettably, there remains a certain hesitancy to engage in collaboration, particularly within Europe. This probably stems from various factors such as regulatory environments, market dynamics, and historical business practices. This reluctance can sometimes make our offers seem overly optimistic or too advantageous, leading to scepticism. However, we believe that by demonstrating our commitment, transparency, and the mutual benefits of these partnerships, we can overcome these barriers and build strong, lasting relationships.
Innovation in partnerships
Q5: With the convergence of IT and OT in industry, how do you plan to leverage double the innovation power to address Industry 4.0 requirements?
Leidecker: Innovation is the lifeblood of PLCnext Technology. It is the driving force that enables us to not only meet the current demands of the industry but also to anticipate and shape the future of industrial automation.
The open ecosystem facilitates seamless integration with innovative third-party applications and devices, enabling rapid development and deployment of novel solutions. The inherent flexibility encourages our partners to think beyond conventional boundaries, leading to creative solutions that challenge the status quo in the automation world. By harnessing these innovative capabilities, our partners can develop unique solutions that provide a competitive edge in the market.
Our commitment to innovation through partnerships extends beyond conventional limits, aiming to establish new industry standards and push the boundaries of what is achievable in automation technology. Ultimately, at the core of our PLCnext Technology partnerships lies the goal of empowering digital transformation across industries, facilitating smarter, more connected, and efficient operations.
Outro
It’s been a pleasure to gain insights into the innovative world of PLCnext Technology and Phoenix Contact and the exciting developments in industrial automation. The dedication to fostering partnerships and pushing the boundaries of technology is truly inspiring. We thank Ulrich Leidecker for sharing his expertise with us and look forward to the continued evolution of PLCnext Technology.
