• Automation Extended empowers industries to upgrade distributed control systems seamlessly by leveraging ABB’s established platforms while protecting existing investments
• An open, modular automation ecosystem facilitates integration of advanced analytics, AI and IoT technologies, allowing organizations to adopt new solutions at their own pace without operational risks
• A separation-of-concerns framework maintains core control integrity while enabling large-scale deployment of digital innovations – without impacting mission-critical systems

ABB has launched its Automation Extended initiative, representing a strategic advancement in distributed control systems (DCS) technology aimed at enabling non-disruptive modernization. Building on ABB’s global leadership with the largest installed DCS base and process automation expertise, Automation Extended establishes a roadmap for introducing next-generation capabilities progressively – maintaining system stability while delivering the adaptability, scalability and efficiency required for future industrial operations.

Modern industrial operations contend with fluctuating markets, cybersecurity threats, regulatory demands and evolving workforce dynamics. ABB’s Automation Extended framework addresses these challenges by enabling agile innovation without production interruptions, supporting IoT connectivity and advanced analytics integration, and streamlining operations for varying skill levels.

Operators can maintain reliance on proven ABB platforms including ABB Ability™ System 800xA®, ABB Ability™ Symphony^® Plus and ABB Freelance while integrating emerging technologies incrementally without operational downtime. This methodology provides a systematic, low-risk modernization pathway that maintains continuity while fostering technological advancement.

“For industries managing critical infrastructure that delivers essential services, our clients require modernization without operational disruptions,” explained Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB’s Automation business area. “Automation Extended fulfills this requirement by embedding future-ready capabilities into trusted systems, prioritizing security and seamless interoperability.”

The Automation Extended framework is delivered through a contemporary, modular environment designed for cross-domain compatibility, scalability and smooth integration. Based on separation-of-concerns principles, the automation architecture features two distinct but securely linked environments:

• The control domain, a software-defined space ensuring robust, deterministic management of critical processes.
• The digital domain, securely interfaced with the control layer, supporting advanced applications, edge computing and real-time analytics. This environment utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for enhanced decision-making without compromising established control systems.

A unified automation service model manages ecosystem lifecycle optimization and maintenance across these interconnected technological environments.

By incorporating technologies like an Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture (OPC UA) backbone and Cloud-Native Architecture for environment management – utilizing containerization, orchestration and modular services – the ecosystem supports diverse enhancements. These include proactive process anomaly detection, optimized maintenance through continuous asset monitoring, and advanced engineering methodologies deployable across multiple hardware platforms. This architecture ensures both scalability and performance reliability.

Access to Automation Extended will be available through upcoming updates to ABB Ability™ System 800xA®, ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus and ABB Freelance process automation systems.

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