As industries move towards more flexible, data-driven operations, the stalwart programmable logic controller (PLC) has become a barrier to progress. Virtual PLCs (vPLCs) have emerged as a solution to this challenge, replacing fixed-function PLC hardware with software-defined systems. vPLCs address many longstanding challenges in industrial automation, enabling organizations to digitalize their operations in ways that were impossible with traditional PLCs, reducing cost and increasing flexibility in the process.
The shift to vPLCs is underpinned by two key technologies. First is workload consolidation, which enables multiple vPLCs and other tasks to run on shared hardware. The second is the real-time converged network, which brings together information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) communications.
This white paper explains the basics of vPLCs, explores their benefits, and highlights the crucial role of the real-time operating systems (RTOS) in enabling the underlying technologies of real-time converged networks and workload consolidation. By understanding these concepts, industrial leaders can better prepare for the future and gain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital manufacturing landscape.
