ABB has unveiled Automation Extended, a new program that advances its distributed control system (DCS) offering and helps industrial customers upgrade operations without interrupting production. Built on ABB’s large global DCS installed base and process automation expertise, the program supports a step-by-step approach to modernization—maintaining system stability while adding the flexibility, scalability, and performance required for future industrial demands.
Today’s industrial environments are under pressure from market uncertainty, cyber threats, stricter compliance requirements, and shifting workforce capabilities. Automation Extended is designed to help plants adapt quickly, enabling digital upgrades at speed while protecting operational continuity. It supports analytics, IoT connectivity, and simplified plant operation for teams with mixed skill levels.
Customers can continue using proven ABB platforms such as ABB Ability™ System 800xA®, ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus, and ABB Freelance, while integrating new technologies gradually and safely. This enables a structured, low-risk modernization path that protects existing investments while opening the door to innovation.
“In the industries we support—many running large, complex facilities delivering essential resources—customers need to modernize without disrupting operations,” said Peter Terwiesch, President of ABB’s Automation business area. “Automation Extended delivers that by adding future-ready capabilities to the systems customers already trust, with security and interoperability built in.”
Automation Extended is built on an open, modular ecosystem designed to scale across a wide range of industrial operations. Its structure supports smooth integration of new capabilities while ensuring systems remain reliable and adaptable as requirements evolve.
Based on separation-of-concerns principles, the platform is organized into two securely connected layers. The control environment is a software-defined space created to deliver secure, stable, and deterministic control for mission-critical industrial processes.
Alongside this sits the digital environment, which connects safely to the control layer and enables advanced applications, edge intelligence, and real-time analytics. It also supports AI and machine learning tools for improved decision-making—without interfering with established control operations.
To strengthen performance further, Automation Extended incorporates technologies such as an OPC UA backbone and cloud-native architecture across both environments. Using containerization, orchestration, and modular services, the ecosystem supports upgrades like faster identification and correction of process issues, smarter maintenance planning through continuous asset monitoring, and modular engineering approaches that can be deployed across different hardware platforms.
This structure increases agility and scalability while maintaining strong system reliability. Access to Automation Extended will be available through upcoming releases of ABB Ability™ System 800xA®, ABB Ability™ Symphony® Plus, and ABB Freelance process automation systems.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, supporting a more efficient and sustainable industrial future. With over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide, ABB delivers engineering and digital solutions that help customers improve productivity and performance. ABB shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
