One of the key characteristics needed in automation systems for discrete and hybrid markets is flexibility. So many industrial plants require that a software platform be able to communicate, analyze, and process data from a wide variety of disparate systems and this is nowhere truer than in building automation.
An interesting example is a leather bonding factory in Italy. The company wanted to automate not only the factory but also the residences that shared property with it. The goal was improved efficiency and reduced energy consumption in all facilities, which meant the automation platform needed to increase throughput in all the operations while maintaining sustainability. This required the ability to interact with not only manufacturing machines, but also air flow and conditioning equipment, lighting, opening and closing of windows and shutters, irrigation and water consumption, and even security systems.
They chose the Emerson Movicon platform, and the story is described in this Proven Result.