Pack analyst btn         PAC        
 
Report 12 Feb 2026

Software-defined Automation – a Vendor Landscape Analysis – InBrief Analysis

Software-defined automation (SDA) is reshaping industrial control by decoupling software from hardware to speed up innovation and enable scalable operations. This report examines what vendors lead this shift, the practical benefits, and what to watch next.

SDA promises faster deployment, greater flexibility, and tighter IT/OT integration. This report presents vendor strategies, real-world capabilities, and actionable takeaways for customers and IT vendors.

Key findings

  • Core trends: vPLC adoption, industrial DevOps, and IT/OT integration
  • Relevant standards: IEC 61499 vs IEC 61131
  • Vendor types: large industrial automation vendors (Siemens, Rockwell), hardware providers (ASRock, Advantech), and start-ups

Practical value

  • Vendors offer very different things under the SDA umbrella.
  • Use SDA for scalable controller management and faster updates.
  • Expect hybrid deployments: physical PLCs alongside vPLCs.

Recommended advisory: PAC Leadership Session – Vendor Landscape at the Intersection of IT and OT in Europe

profile-image
Arnold Vogt

SHARE :

Related Content

View all reports >

Software & IT Services - Vendor Rankings - Italy

This Excel document positions and ranks the major software and IT services suppliers by revenue in Italy

Event Date : July 31, 2025

Read more >

Workday Ecosystem – Worldwide Service Provider Landscape – InSight Analysis

This report will deliver insights into the Workday applications and related services market and its evolution.

Event Date : March 27, 2024

Read more >

SAP - Vendor Profile - France

This short vendor profile provides a quick overview of the local portfolio and performance of SAP in France.

Event Date : January 13, 2025

Read more >

Alibaba - Figures - Worldwide

This Excel document is part of the company profiles PAC publishes every year at local, regional and worldwide level.

Event Date : January 27, 2025

Read more >

Big Data by Segments - Market Figures - Western Europe by Countries

This document provides market volumes, growth rates and forecasts for the worldwide Big Data market for the 2022-2028 period.

Event Date : August 28, 2024

Read more >

Latest Publications report

View latest publications Reports >

Free reports & webinars

View All Free Reports & Webinars >