Schneider Electric, Siemens, Bosch Rexroth, SUPCON, Honeywell Technologies, and CODESYS Named Leaders in ABI Research’s Software-Defined Automation (SDA) Ranking

Software-defined automation is rapidly reshaping industrial control, and global technology intelligence firm ABI Research has identified Schneider Electric, Siemens, Bosch Rexroth, SUPCON, Honeywell Technologies, and CODESYS as the leaders in its latest Software-Defined Automation (SDA) competitive ranking. The ranking assessed 13 industrial automation vendors on both innovation and implementation, with Schneider Electric taking the No. 1 overall position, followed by Siemens and Bosch Rexroth. The report highlights how manufacturers are increasingly prioritizing flexible, intelligent, and scalable automation platforms as SDA adoption expands beyond pilot projects.

‌“Software-defined automation is becoming a strategic battleground as manufacturers look for faster time to market, lower hardware dependence, and more resilient control architectures,” an ABI Research analyst said. “The vendors that stand out are the ones proving they can pair software-defined control with strong AI road maps, open deployment models, and the cybersecurity posture needed for long-term adoption in global industrial markets.” This emphasis on AI and openness as innovation differentiators, along with scalability and cybersecurity on the implementation side, was central to the assessment.

• Schneider Electric led the ranking based on its strong openness strategy, global deployments, and ability to support both software-defined PLC and DCS environments.
• Siemens followed with notable strengths in AI, including agents, copilots, and edge intelligence, alongside a composable SDA portfolio designed to meet manufacturers at different stages of digital transformation.
• Bosch Rexroth stood out for its openness, cybersecurity readiness, and flexible deployment options.
• SUPCON differentiated itself through a unified PLC and DCS architecture, purpose-built AI capabilities, and more than 100 deployments across process industries.
• Honeywell Technologies earned recognition for its implementation strength, particularly its scalable plant-level virtualization approach and flexible I/O model.
• CODESYS also ranked among the leaders for its broad interoperability, mature virtual control foundation, and early progress in virtual functional safety.

‌The broader market opportunity is accelerating quickly. ABI Research found SDA controller revenue is projected to grow from US$500 million in 2025 to US$4.7 billion by 2035, representing a 22.3% CAGR. Adoption is being driven by manufacturers seeking quicker time to market, reduced bill of materials, and greater flexibility to address hardware obsolescence. Automotive remains the largest opportunity for pure PLC players, while food and beverage, semiconductors, and data centers are also emerging as high-potential segments. Regionally, growth is expected to be strongest in EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and North America as reshoring, semiconductor investment, and industrial modernization programs increase demand for software-defined control.