Due to the use of component-based platforms, entirely new possibilities become available in the field of automation engineering - this applies to both, the engineering and also the PLC programming.
The requirements of mechanical engineers currently change in a drastic way: They demand open and integrated automation platforms in which all automation devices cooperate using consistent data: From intelligent sensors/actuators, via I/O systems, gateways, PLCs, drive solutions and robot controls up to HMI panels.
Based on such a platform, preassigned functional machine entities can be created which can be reused as a solution. The consequence of these requirements is that more and more manufactures of automation devices use Microsoft.NET as the basis for their new engineering software.
For more details please read the PDF-File.