Allen-Bradley launches PC-based control package

While debate continues on whether "soft logic" control platforms will replace traditional PLCs, Allen-Bradley has released SoftLogix 5, which it claims is "the best solution for all situations." "SoftLogix 5 combines the best of the PLC and the PC," says Mark Daniels, A-B's U.

Brussels, Belgium — While debate continues on whether “soft logic” control platforms will replace traditional PLCs, Allen-Bradley has released SoftLogix 5, which it claims is “the best solution for all situations.” “SoftLogix 5 combines the best of the PLC and the PC,” says Mark Daniels, A-B’s U.K. product manager “It combines millions of man-hours of PLC experience from Allen-Bradley, the software engineering skills of Rockwell Software, and the capability of PC technology.” A recent A-B position statement says, “For many applications, Allen-Bradley’s PLC-5 will continue to be the controller of choice, but for some, SoftLogix 5 offers shorter design cycles, lower-cost implementation, and greater flexibility. Rockwell Automation believes that because there will always be diversity in industrial automation applications, there will always be diversity in the possible solutions.”