Keywords: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Programmable Automation Controller (PAC), Energy Management, Engineering, Machine Safeguarding, Market Research Study, Market Shares, Market Forecast
The market for programmable logic controllers (PLC) and PLC-based programmable automation controllers (PAC) in India will be driven by the need to meet the growing demands for modern infrastructure, efficient energy utilization, and information-driven manufacturing technology solutions. The PLC and PLC-based PACs market grew marginally in 2014, compared to 2013. ARC sees this as a linear trend and is optimistic about growth in 2015 and beyond. Due to various factors ranging from slow growth to lower electronic component prices, and increase of competition among mature technologies, prices have declined in all product segments. For 2015, ARC expects positive growth with overall development remaining neutral; however, the growth rate during the forecast period (2014 – 2019) will be lower than in previous years.
“The challenge in the market is how PLC suppliers can differentiate themselves and continue to offer increasing value propositions to end users and OEMs. This is especially important in the present market scenario in which manufacturers typically invest in technology where they see good return on investments in a short period of time,” according to Country Manager, ARC Advisory Group India, G. Ganapathiraman, co-author of ARC’s new “PLCs and PLC-based PACs for India Market Research Study”.
Engineering Tools Support Users and OEMs
One of the most important criterion for choosing a PLC has become the engineering tool, which is a key point of differentiation for PLC suppliers. Nearly all major players have invested in their software in recent years. Engineering tools are even more important in countries with limited local engineering resources. Next to software, suppliers increasingly support OEMs and users with customized code, function blocks, and support during the engineering phase.
Intelligent Devices, the Internet of Things, and Industrie 4.0
In the future, most devices will be intelligent and on-line, bringing machine- to-machine (M2M) communications to a new level. This will change PLC architectures, though PLCs are not likely to disappear.
Industrie 4.0 combines technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems into a broader concept. Industrie 4.0 can be enabled by automation and support for “advanced manufacturing” – highly skilled manufacturing of smaller and customized batches at the same cost as mass production.
This study provides an in-depth analysis of the PLC and PLC-based PAC market in India. In addition to the quantitative assessment of the PLC and PLC-based PAC market, this ARC study provides an insightful analysis of the products and strategies of the leading and emerging suppliers.
For more information on this study, please visit our Market Research section.