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also created a category of controllers called Programmable Automation Controllers, or PACs. PACs differ from traditional PLCs in that they typically utilize open, modular architectures for both hardware and software, using de facto standards for work interfaces, languages and protocols. They could be viewed as a PC in an industrial PLClike package. The Future A 2020 PLC Product Focus Study from Reed Research Group pointed out factors increasingly important to users, machine builders and those making the purchasing decisions. The top picks for features of importance were. * The ability to work, and do so easily. Ether munications is leading the charge in this realm. Not only are new protocols surfacing, but many of the industry de facto standard serial protocols that have been used for many years are being ported to Ether platforms. These include Modbus (ModbusTCP), DeviceNet (Ether/IP) and Profibus (Profi). Ether munication modules for PLCs are readily available with highspeed performance and flexible protocols. Also, many PLC CPUs are now available with Ether ports on board, saving I/O slot space. PLCs will continue to develop more sophisticated connectivity to report information to other PLCs, system control systems, data acquisition (SCADA) systems and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Additionally, wireless munications will continue to gain popularity. * The ability to work PLC I/O connections with a PC. The same trends that have benefited PLC working have migrated to the I/O level. Many PLC manufacturers are supporting the most accepted fieldbus works, allowing PLC I/O to be distributed over large physical distances, or located where it was previously considered nearly impossible. This has opened the door for personal puters to interface with standard PLC I/O subsystems by using interface cards, typically supplied by the PLC manufacturer or a third party developer. Now these challenging locations can be monitored with today a PC. Where industrialgrade control engines are not required, the user can take advantage of more advanced software packages and hardware flexibility at a lower cost. * The ability to use universal programming software for multiple targets/platforms. In the past it was expected that an intelligent controller would be plex to program. That is no longer the case. Users are no longer just trained programmers, such as design engineers or systems integrators, but endusers who expect easiertouse software in more familiar formats. The Windowsbased look and feel that users are familiar with on their personal puters have bee the most accepted graphical user in