Unlock the best manufacturing efficiency with top industrial automation software
Unlock the best manufacturing efficiency with top industrial automation software
See how modern industrial automation software helps manufacturers get better results, create safer workplaces, and make better business decisions using real-time data.
See how modern industrial automation software helps manufacturers get better results, create safer workplaces, and make better business decisions using real-time data.
Robotics and sensors on the factory floor collect real-time data at every step, image courtesy of Barry-Wehmiller Design Group, Inc.Industrial automation software for modern manufacturing
Industrial automation software for modern manufacturing
Imagine a world where machines work tirelessly, precisely, and safely to create the products we use every day. Industrial automation software helps make this a reality by rethinking how we design, control, and optimize the way goods are manufactured and processed.
Modern industrial automation software helps manufacturers get better results, create safer workplaces, and make better business decisions using real-time data and intelligent control.
Design and simulate automated production lines before implementation.
Connect sensors, machines, and enterprise systems for fully integrated operations.
Monitor performance in real time and optimize throughput with data-driven decisions.
Imagine a world where machines work tirelessly, precisely, and safely to create the products we use every day. Industrial automation software helps make this a reality by rethinking how we design, control, and optimize the way goods are manufactured and processed.
Modern industrial automation software helps manufacturers get better results, create safer workplaces, and make better business decisions using real-time data and intelligent control.
Design and simulate automated production lines before implementation.
Connect sensors, machines, and enterprise systems for fully integrated operations.
Monitor performance in real time and optimize throughput with data-driven decisions.
What is industrial automation software?
What is industrial automation software?
Industrial automation is the use of machines, robotics, and control systems to perform tasks that were traditionally carried out by humans. Industrial automation software is the digital layer that lets engineers design, program, monitor, and optimize these automated systems across the factory.
This software connects hardware like robots, PLCs, sensors, and drives with higher-level systems such as SCADA, MES, and ERP, so that data and commands can flow seamlessly. It enables automatic operation of industrial processes and machinery with minimal human intervention, reducing errors, increasing speed, and improving consistency.
Core capabilities of industrial automation software include:
Control and monitoring of machines and production lines.
Factory layout, workcell, and production system design.
3D simulation and discrete event simulation of processes and flows.
Real-time data collection, analytics, and predictive maintenance.
Integration with business systems for better planning and decision-making.
Industrial automation is the use of machines, robotics, and control systems to perform tasks that were traditionally carried out by humans. Industrial automation software is the digital layer that lets engineers design, program, monitor, and optimize these automated systems across the factory.
This software connects hardware like robots, PLCs, sensors, and drives with higher-level systems such as SCADA, MES, and ERP, so that data and commands can flow seamlessly. It enables automatic operation of industrial processes and machinery with minimal human intervention, reducing errors, increasing speed, and improving consistency.
Core capabilities of industrial automation software include:
Control and monitoring of machines and production lines.
Factory layout, workcell, and production system design.
3D simulation and discrete event simulation of processes and flows.
Real-time data collection, analytics, and predictive maintenance.
Integration with business systems for better planning and decision-making.
Types of industrial automation systems
Early industrial automation mostly focused on boosting productivity through 24/7 operations and reducing human workforce costs. But as technology advanced, so did our ambitions. We can see this progression through the different stages and types of industrial automation systems.
Early industrial automation mostly focused on boosting productivity through 24/7 operations and reducing human workforce costs. But as technology advanced, so did our ambitions. We can see this progression through the different stages and types of industrial automation systems.
Fixed automation
Highly specialized equipment and control logic designed for high-volume, repeatable production, supported by software that manages sequencing and timing.
Highly specialized equipment and control logic designed for high-volume, repeatable production, supported by software that manages sequencing and timing.
Programmable automation
Systems where software-controlled programs can be changed or updated to run different product batches with less retooling.
Systems where software-controlled programs can be changed or updated to run different product batches with less retooling.
Flexible automation
Highly adaptable systems, often using robotics and CNC, where software enables fast changeovers and automated setup for new products.
Highly adaptable systems, often using robotics and CNC, where software enables fast changeovers and automated setup for new products.
Integrated automation
Connected production environments where industrial automation software links machines, lines, and facilities into a coordinated digital factory.
Connected production environments where industrial automation software links machines, lines, and facilities into a coordinated digital factory.
Key features of industrial automation software
Industrial automation software helps you plan, execute, and improve your operations across the entire production lifecycle.
Industrial automation software helps you plan, execute, and improve your operations across the entire production lifecycle.
Automated control systems
Automated control systems
Automation software works with PLCs, DCS, and motion controllers to run equipment based on predefined logic and real-time input from the factory floor. It issues precise instructions to machines—such as robots, conveyors, or motors—to start, stop, adjust speed, and fine-tune processes.
Automation software works with PLCs, DCS, and motion controllers to run equipment based on predefined logic and real-time input from the factory floor. It issues precise instructions to machines—such as robots, conveyors, or motors—to start, stop, adjust speed, and fine-tune processes.
Real-time monitoring and analytics
Real-time monitoring and analytics
Industrial automation software offers real-time monitoring and data analytics capabilities. Operators are able to track performance, detect anomalies, and optimize processes. This helps in improving efficiency and predicting maintenance needs.Â
Industrial automation software offers real-time monitoring and data analytics capabilities. Operators are able to track performance, detect anomalies, and optimize processes. This helps in improving efficiency and predicting maintenance needs.Â
Integration and interoperability
Integration and interoperability
Modern industrial automation software integrates with ERP, MES, quality systems, and other enterprise platforms to enable smoother communication across the manufacturing process. This integration supports better scheduling, inventory control, and traceability for regulated industries.
Modern industrial automation software integrates with ERP, MES, quality systems, and other enterprise platforms to enable smoother communication across the manufacturing process. This integration supports better scheduling, inventory control, and traceability for regulated industries.
Simulation and modeling
Simulation and modeling
Advanced simulation and modeling tools give engineers the ability to design, test, and validate automation systems in a virtual environment before implementation. This reduces the risk of errors and promotes optimal system performance.
Advanced simulation and modeling tools give engineers the ability to design, test, and validate automation systems in a virtual environment before implementation. This reduces the risk of errors and promotes optimal system performance.
Scalability
Scalability
Industrial automation software is highly scalable. Businesses can expand their operations and add new processes without significant changes to the existing infrastructure. This flexibility supports growth and agility to address changing market demands.
Industrial automation software is highly scalable. Businesses can expand their operations and add new processes without significant changes to the existing infrastructure. This flexibility supports growth and agility to address changing market demands.
Predictive maintenance tools
Predictive maintenance tools
Predictive maintenance tools use advanced analytics and machine learning to monitor equipment health and predict potential failures. This allows businesses to schedule optimal maintenance activities, reducing unplanned downtime and minimizing costs.
Predictive maintenance tools use advanced analytics and machine learning to monitor equipment health and predict potential failures. This allows businesses to schedule optimal maintenance activities, reducing unplanned downtime and minimizing costs.
Benefits of industrial automation software
Industrial automation software delivers a wide range of benefits for manufacturers in discrete and process industries. As businesses look to cut costs and enhance productivity, industrial automation software is becoming a core enabler of smart manufacturing strategies.
Industrial automation software delivers a wide range of benefits for manufacturers in discrete and process industries. As businesses look to cut costs and enhance productivity, industrial automation software is becoming a core enabler of smart manufacturing strategies.
Elevated productivity
Industrial automation software unlocks the potential to run a factory 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With real-time data analysis, automated systems can minimize production bottlenecks and downtime through predictive maintenance while keeping your inventory in check.
Industrial automation software unlocks the potential to run a factory 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With real-time data analysis, automated systems can minimize production bottlenecks and downtime through predictive maintenance while keeping your inventory in check.
Improved quality
Automated manufacturing ensures a high level of consistency by catching variations early through automated quality control. This validation reduces waste and the need for your team to rework.
Automated manufacturing ensures a high level of consistency by catching variations early through automated quality control. This validation reduces waste and the need for your team to rework.
Enhanced safety
Robotic and other industrial automation can take over the dangerous, repetitive tasks humans do. Such delegation lowers the risk of injuries and enables your employees to focus on more complex and rewarding work.
Robotic and other industrial automation can take over the dangerous, repetitive tasks humans do. Such delegation lowers the risk of injuries and enables your employees to focus on more complex and rewarding work.
Reduced downtime
Monitoring devices gather data in real-time throughout the industrial automation process. This up-to-the-minute information helps streamline your supply chain, uncover new revenue opportunities, and inform better decision-making.
Monitoring devices gather data in real-time throughout the industrial automation process. This up-to-the-minute information helps streamline your supply chain, uncover new revenue opportunities, and inform better decision-making.
Reduced downtime
Industrial automation software can be quickly reprogrammed if needed, meaning you can make swift changes on the assembly line that meet your evolving needs.
Industrial automation software can be quickly reprogrammed if needed, meaning you can make swift changes on the assembly line that meet your evolving needs.
Better decision-making
Consolidated data and analytics from across the factory give leaders a clear view of performance, costs, and opportunities to optimize.
Consolidated data and analytics from across the factory give leaders a clear view of performance, costs, and opportunities to optimize.
Industrial automation software from Autodesk
Autodesk Inventor
Autodesk Inventor
Create detailed 3D models of machinery, equipment, and automation components to ensure they fit and function correctly before they are built.
Create detailed 3D models of machinery, equipment, and automation components to ensure they fit and function correctly before they are built.
Autodesk FlexSim
Autodesk FlexSim
Simulate production systems with 3D discrete event simulation, evaluate what-if scenarios, and optimize throughput and resource use.
Simulate production systems with 3D discrete event simulation, evaluate what-if scenarios, and optimize throughput and resource use.
Autodesk Factory Design Utilities
Autodesk Factory Design Utilities
Design and visualize factory layouts, workcells, and production lines using 2D and 3D tools to improve flow, safety, and space utilization.
Design and visualize factory layouts, workcells, and production lines using 2D and 3D tools to improve flow, safety, and space utilization.
Modern industrial automation relies on data to improve quality, productivity and safetyHow industrial automation software works in your factory
How industrial automation software works in your factory
Most industrial automation processes start with sensing and data collection. Sensors and devices gather real-time data on the temperature, pressure, speed, and position of production lines and other environments.Â
The collected data is then analyzed using control systems or industrial computers. These systems make decisions based on predefined parameters, such as the best operating conditions or safety thresholds.
Based on the processed data, instructions are sent to machines—like robots or motors—to adjust manufacturing actions. This might include starting or stopping a process, changing the speed, or fine-tuning other areas of your operation.Â
These machines can then continue working autonomously without human input. Manufacturers can continuously monitor performance and adjust their industrial automation system as needed, ensuring it’s always efficient, reliable, and can adapt to your changing business.
Most industrial automation processes start with sensing and data collection. Sensors and devices gather real-time data on the temperature, pressure, speed, and position of production lines and other environments.Â
The collected data is then analyzed using control systems or industrial computers. These systems make decisions based on predefined parameters, such as the best operating conditions or safety thresholds.
Based on the processed data, instructions are sent to machines—like robots or motors—to adjust manufacturing actions. This might include starting or stopping a process, changing the speed, or fine-tuning other areas of your operation.Â
These machines can then continue working autonomously without human input. Manufacturers can continuously monitor performance and adjust their industrial automation system as needed, ensuring it’s always efficient, reliable, and can adapt to your changing business.
Industries using industrial automation software
Industrial automation software supports a wide range of industries, from discrete manufacturing to process and hybrid sectors.
Industrial automation software supports a wide range of industries, from discrete manufacturing to process and hybrid sectors.
Automotive
Automotive
Automotive manufacturers use industrial automation software for precision manufacturing, assembly line automation, and quality control. It also improves efficiency in processes such as welding, painting, and part assembly for consistency and reduced production times.
Automotive manufacturers use industrial automation software for precision manufacturing, assembly line automation, and quality control. It also improves efficiency in processes such as welding, painting, and part assembly for consistency and reduced production times.
Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical
Industrial automation software manages complex manufacturing processes, keeping everything in line with strict regulatory standards. It facilitates precise mixing, packaging, and labeling, while improving traceability and data integrity for quality assurance.
Industrial automation software manages complex manufacturing processes, keeping everything in line with strict regulatory standards. It facilitates precise mixing, packaging, and labeling, while improving traceability and data integrity for quality assurance.
Food and beverage
Food and beverage
The food and beverage industry is able to optimize production lines, from ingredient mixing to packaging and labeling with industrial automation software. This aids in improving product quality, improves safety standards, and increases throughput by streamlining repetitive tasks.
The food and beverage industry is able to optimize production lines, from ingredient mixing to packaging and labeling with industrial automation software. This aids in improving product quality, improves safety standards, and increases throughput by streamlining repetitive tasks.
Oil and gas
Oil and gas
Industrial automation software is used for monitoring and controlling drilling operations, refining processes, and pipeline management. It improves safety, enhances operational efficiency, and supports predictive maintenance to prevent equipment failures.
Industrial automation software is used for monitoring and controlling drilling operations, refining processes, and pipeline management. It improves safety, enhances operational efficiency, and supports predictive maintenance to prevent equipment failures.
Electronics and semiconductor
Electronics and semiconductor
Industrial automation software supports the detailed processes involved in semiconductor fabrication and electronics assembly. It boosts precision, reduces human error, and increases production speed, meeting the high demand for electronic components.
Industrial automation software supports the detailed processes involved in semiconductor fabrication and electronics assembly. It boosts precision, reduces human error, and increases production speed, meeting the high demand for electronic components.
Chemical
Chemical
In the chemical industry, industrial automation software is used for complex manufacturing processes with strict regulatory standards. It aids in precise mixing, packaging, and labeling, while improving traceability and data integrity.
In the chemical industry, industrial automation software is used for complex manufacturing processes with strict regulatory standards. It aids in precise mixing, packaging, and labeling, while improving traceability and data integrity.
Customers using industrial automation software
Discover how Autodesk customers use our industrial automation software to help their processes thrive.
Discover how Autodesk customers use our industrial automation software to help their processes thrive.
Smartening up green heat tech production
Smartening up green heat tech production
To serve the booming German heat pump market, Viessmann built a smart factory with a high degree of industrial automation that increases production and improves logistics.
To serve the booming German heat pump market, Viessmann built a smart factory with a high degree of industrial automation that increases production and improves logistics.
Digital planning helps build a zero-impact factory
Digital planning helps build a zero-impact factory
Porsche used digital factory planning in Autodesk Navisworks for its first fully electric sports car to build a state-of-the-art, zero-impact facility. The factory leans on industrial automation, such as driverless transport systems, to maximize production flexibility.
Porsche used digital factory planning in Autodesk Navisworks for its first fully electric sports car to build a state-of-the-art, zero-impact facility. The factory leans on industrial automation, such as driverless transport systems, to maximize production flexibility.
Design, manufacturing, and construction under one roof
Design, manufacturing, and construction under one roof
BLOX employs industrialized construction—the application of offsite manufacturing automation—to build hospital components in its Alabama factory for onsite assembly.
BLOX employs industrialized construction—the application of offsite manufacturing automation—to build hospital components in its Alabama factory for onsite assembly.
Industrial automation software applications
Industrial automation software is used to control, monitor, and optimize industrial processes. Here are some key applications of industrial automation software:
Industrial automation software is used to control, monitor, and optimize industrial processes. Here are some key applications of industrial automation software:
SCADA -Supervisor control & data acquisition
Promotes remote monitoring and real-time control of equipment and processes.
Widely used in electricity, water, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
Promotes remote monitoring and real-time control of equipment and processes.
Widely used in electricity, water, oil and gas, and manufacturing.
PLC programming
Foundation of automation for controlling machines and processes on factory floors.
Primarily used in the automotive, food, and packaging industries.
Foundation of automation for controlling machines and processes on factory floors.
Primarily used in the automotive, food, and packaging industries.
HMI - Human-machine interface
Provides operators with graphical dashboards to control and monitor equipment.
Used with PCLs and SCADA systems
Provides operators with graphical dashboards to control and monitor equipment.
Used with PCLs and SCADA systems
MES - Manufacturing execution systems
Tracks and manages real-time production operations.
Popular in discrete and process manufacturing.
Tracks and manages real-time production operations.
Popular in discrete and process manufacturing.
DCS - Distributed control systems
Used for intricate, ongoing processes in chemical plants or power stations.
Offers centralized monitoring with distributed control.
Used for intricate, ongoing processes in chemical plants or power stations.
Offers centralized monitoring with distributed control.
Industrial IoT integration
Connects sensors, devices, and software for predictive maintenance and analytics.
Foundational for Industry 4.0 implementation.
Connects sensors, devices, and software for predictive maintenance and analytics.
Foundational for Industry 4.0 implementation.
The future of industrial automation
The future of industrial automation
The future of industrial automation software is poised for exciting advancement. Changes will be driven by emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence and machine learning) and an increasing demand for efficiency.Â
As systems become more integrated, industrial automation software will automate tasks, better predict maintenance needs, and adapt to quickly changing environments. Collaborative robots—or cobots—are set to play a major role. They’ll work alongside humans to be more productive and help create safer workplaces.
We’ll continue to see more ‘smart factories’, which are facilities where all the machines communicate with each other, leading to more efficient operations and better resource management. Access to more data will mean deeper insights into production trends and performance—manufacturers can make faster, more impactful decisions. Businesses will become more agile and able to meet ever-changing market demands.
The future of industrial automation software is poised for exciting advancement. Changes will be driven by emerging technologies (such as artificial intelligence and machine learning) and an increasing demand for efficiency.Â
As systems become more integrated, industrial automation software will automate tasks, better predict maintenance needs, and adapt to quickly changing environments. Collaborative robots—or cobots—are set to play a major role. They’ll work alongside humans to be more productive and help create safer workplaces.
We’ll continue to see more ‘smart factories’, which are facilities where all the machines communicate with each other, leading to more efficient operations and better resource management. Access to more data will mean deeper insights into production trends and performance—manufacturers can make faster, more impactful decisions. Businesses will become more agile and able to meet ever-changing market demands.
Industrial automation software resources
The digital factory is the future
Read how the digital factory’s industrial automation processes and connected data will define manufacturing’s future, offering a faster time to market, predictive maintenance, resource tracking, and operational efficiencies.
Read how the digital factory’s industrial automation processes and connected data will define manufacturing’s future, offering a faster time to market, predictive maintenance, resource tracking, and operational efficiencies.
What is a smart factory?
Learn about highly digitalized and connected smart factories, why their automated systems and decision-making are essential for modern manufacturing, and the software that can help you work smarter, not harder.
Learn about highly digitalized and connected smart factories, why their automated systems and decision-making are essential for modern manufacturing, and the software that can help you work smarter, not harder.
Infographic: Assembling a smart factory
This infographic shows why a successful smart factory transformation starts with convincing managers and executives that automating repetitive processes reduces errors, minimizes injuries and waste, and improves resource use and product quality.
This infographic shows why a successful smart factory transformation starts with convincing managers and executives that automating repetitive processes reduces errors, minimizes injuries and waste, and improves resource use and product quality.
Make a small shop a smart shop
The Smarter Shop video series imparts nuggets of wisdom on how micro-factory job shops can incorporate and benefit from industrial automation, such as machine monitoring, robotics, and connected digital workflows, on a small scale.
The Smarter Shop video series imparts nuggets of wisdom on how micro-factory job shops can incorporate and benefit from industrial automation, such as machine monitoring, robotics, and connected digital workflows, on a small scale.
Driving robotic assembly with CAD data
Researchers are training machine learning robotics systems with CAD data to make assembly automation more flexible and adaptable to product changes.
Researchers are training machine learning robotics systems with CAD data to make assembly automation more flexible and adaptable to product changes.
2023 State of Design & Make: Industrial Machinery
An Autodesk survey of experts shows how the automated data exchange of cloud-connected software in industrial automation can bring system-wide efficiencies to their networks of suppliers and collaborators.
An Autodesk survey of experts shows how the automated data exchange of cloud-connected software in industrial automation can bring system-wide efficiencies to their networks of suppliers and collaborators.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on industrial automation and industrial automation software
An example of industrial automation could be a self-driving vehicle built to shuttle products and materials around a warehouse or factory. The mining industry uses autonomous or semi-autonomous trucks, trains, drills, and other machinery to encourage safety and efficiency.
Large-scale industrial robots are commonly used for product assembly, welding, painting, and assembly line picking. For more customizable operations, CNC (computer numerical control) machines automate cutting, drilling, milling, and turning for manufacturing.
Another example is a process control system, which automates physical and chemical traits like temperature, flow rate, and pressure for processes in facilities such as power plants and refineries.
There are three types of automation: industrial, fixed, and flexible.
Industrial automation types have progressed from static assembly lines to flexible and intelligent integrated systems.
Fixed automation is a type of industrial automation used for very high-volume production. Making production changes to fixed automation is expensive and time-consuming. Programmable automation works best for batch production and offers electronic controls that can change certain operations with significant effort.
Flexible automation, such as CNC machines, is used for batch production and on-demand manufacturing, where the product varies. It has precise controls and can customize production with little downtime. Integrated automation is the most modern and advanced type, where a single control system monitors and manages an entire connected factory from IIoT devices and cloud data analysis.
Advanced manufacturing faces a skills gap, with qualified workers in short supply; industrial automation can accomplish more with fewer people while putting skilled employees to better use on more complex tasks.
Industrial automation can benefit firms, yield higher productivity, better quality control, safer working conditions, reconfigurability, lower operating costs, and a wealth of insights from a constant flow of harvested data.