Glossary · Automation software engineering and architecture
Automation software
Also known as: Industrial automation software
German: Automatisierungssoftware
In industrial automation, automation software is the software that monitors, controls, visualizes or optimizes machines and plants, including control programs on PLCs and motion controllers, HMI and SCADA applications, MES functions and the engineering tools used to create them.
- Software engineering
In one sentence
Automation software monitors, controls, visualizes or optimizes machines and plants, from PLC programs to HMI, SCADA and MES.
Example
The automation software of a bottling line includes the PLC program, the HMI screens, the recipe management on the line server and the OEE reporting in the MES.
How it applies
- Engineering: Automation software combines real-time control, operator interaction and data exchange with higher-level IT systems. Each layer has its own platform, languages, timing constraints and update cycle.
- Operation: Automation software often stays in service for many years, so maintainability, version management and compatibility with replacement hardware matter as much as initial functionality.
- Documentation: Technical documentation must describe the software versions a machine ships with, the functions visible to operators and service staff, parameters, alarms and update procedures. Keep a clear link between software releases and the manual revisions that describe them.
Automation software vs. control software
Control software is the part that directly controls the process, typically on a PLC or controller. Automation software is the broader term and also covers visualization, data management, diagnostics and engineering tools.
Where software implements Safety function logic, functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 or ISO 13849-1 add requirements for its development.