ORLANDO, FL, Feb 12, 2026 – Schneider Electric has launched EcoStruxure Foxboro Software Defined Automation (SDA), which it describes as the industry’s first open, software-defined distributed control system (DCS). The company positions it as a software-defined DCS for process automation that combines Foxboro reliability with an open automation software architecture. Schneider Electric says the system can help hybrid and process plants modernize faster while reducing operational risk.
Industrial operators have used Foxboro DCS to manage and coordinate complex processes in real time. Schneider Electric says EcoStruxure Foxboro SDA adds flexibility and scalability while maintaining reliability and improving cost efficiency.
A Schneider Electric and Omdia global research report highlights the financial impact of closed industrial systems. The report estimates that mid-sized industrial companies lose 7.5% of revenue each year due to downtime, inefficiencies and compliance retrofit work.
“EcoStruxure Foxboro SDA marks a defining moment for industrial automation,” said Hany Fouda, senior vice president, process automation, Schneider Electric. “By embracing openness and software-defined architecture, we’re giving our customers the agility to modernize without compromise, protecting their investments while unlocking future-ready capabilities. This evolution is a strategic enabler for digital transformation, and Schneider Electric is proud to lead it.”
Foxboro SDA separates hardware from software to support upgrades with less disruption and risk. Schneider Electric can simplify workflows and speed access to operational insights.
Key Features
- Open, software-defined architecture: Foxboro SDA decouples software from hardware to support vendor independence and interoperability, enabling flexible and scalable architectures
- Cybersecure & future-ready: Foxboro SDA is built on secure-by-design principles and compliant with IEC 62443-3-3, the platform supports IT/OT convergence, AI/ML integration, and Industry 4.0 and energy transition initiatives.
- Simplify operations & reduce costs: Customers can lower CapEx and OpEx, streamline deployment and minimize downtime by limiting obsolescence and enabling predictive maintenance.
Schneider Electric describes Foxboro SDA as a software-defined DCS architecture built on EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE). The platform supports interoperability, faster deployment and application-specific configurations while maintaining availability. It connects plant data across design, production and maintenance, supporting automated workflows, product quality processes and business analytics.
Foxboro SDA is designed to support IT/OT convergence and the use of AI/ML in industrial automation. Schneider Electric also points to built-in cybersecurity, simplified operations and a lower-friction upgrade path over time. The company positions the platform as a hardware-independent control solution within its digital transformation strategy.
“The launch of EcoStruxure Foxboro SDA marks a major milestone in the evolution of process automation,” said Craig Resnick, vice president at ARC Advisory Group. “By decoupling control logic from hardware, Schneider Electric is providing manufacturers with the agility to scale, adapt, and simplify their operations. This software defined approach helps to reduce maintenance costs, protect legacy automation investments, and ensure digital continuity throughout the entire plant lifecycle. With cybersecurity built into its core, and a commitment to open, interoperable standards, Foxboro SDA enables manufacturers to modernize at their own pace, accelerate IT and OT convergence, and increase their adoption of next generation technologies, such as AI, edge computing, and autonomous operations.”
Source: Schneider Electric
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric, founded in 1836, is a leader in energy management and automation. Headquartered in Rueil-Malmaison, France, the company delivers digital solutions that integrate energy technologies, real-time automation, software, and services across multiple sectors. Schneider Electric serves many industries, including buildings, data centers, infrastructure, and manufacturing, helping businesses improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Its offerings span electrical distribution, industrial automation, and smart grid and digital building technologies. Schneider Electric operates in over 100 countries and has approximately 168,000 employees. Its ecosystem includes over a million partners, making it a key player in delivering scalable, innovative solutions for an electric and digital world.