Information technology (IT), process data management and production planning systems are already important levers used by plant operators to reduce costs and to optimize processes. Global competition has the result that companies distributed over several locations have to produce product ranges that are more strongly customer-specific in character far more rationally and flexibly and bring these to market more and more quickly.

The fusion of process automation systems with MES systems and ERP systems (e.g. SAP/R3) is becoming increasingly important because of the pressure towards consolidation, optimization and rationalization and due to the expansion of the regulatory pressure from the manufacturer onto the supplier.

The SIMATIC PCS 7 process control system offers an open and integrated system foundation for the vertical integration of process automation, operational and corporate management level and is hence optimally equipped for the challenges of the future.