Unlocking a new edge in distributed control
PRODUCT FEATURES
- Open, software-defined: Separates software from hardware to support interoperability and scalable designs.
- Security: Built with secure-by-design principles and aligned with IEC 62443-3-3, Schneider Electric said.
- Operations: Designed to streamline deployment and maintenance and support predictive maintenance, the company said.
RELATED PRODUCTS
PRODUCT INFORMATION
MANUFACTURED BY Schneider Electric
PUBLISH DATE
February 13, 2026
RELEASE DATE
February 13, 2026
CATEGORY
DCS, SCADA, Controllers
Schneider Electric announced Schneider EcoStruxure Foxboro Software Defined Automation (SDA), an open, software‑defined distributed control system (DCS). The offering combines Foxboro technology with software‑based automation to support modernization for hybrid and process-industry operations.
Foxboro DCS is used for real-time process control in industrial operations. Schneider Electric said some operators are looking for more flexible systems that can be updated with fewer hardware changes and support compliance requirements. EcoStruxure Foxboro SDA is designed to provide a scalable, software-defined approach while maintaining reliability.
Schneider Electric cited a recent research report with Omdia that estimated closed systems can cost mid-sized industrial companies 7.5% of revenue annually due to downtime, inefficiencies and compliance retrofits.
Foxboro SDA was developed in response to customer feedback about legacy systems and cost constraints. The platform separates hardware and software, which is intended to support reuse of existing equipment and simplify modernization. Schneider Electric said the approach can streamline configuration and maintenance and provide quicker access to diagnostics and operational data.
Schneider Electric described Foxboro SDA as a software-defined distributed control system built on EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE). The architecture is designed to support interoperability, configurable deployments and high system availability. The system maintains data continuity across design, production and maintenance, supporting workflow automation and integration with analytics platforms for real-time operational decision-making.
Foxboro SDA is designed to support upgrades over time, incorporate security features and simplify operations. It supports integration between IT and operational technology systems and can integrate with analytics tools, including AI and machine-learning applications. The platform is a hardware-agnostic, software-defined control architecture that supports data integration and access as part of modernization efforts.
Schneider Electric
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering
