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Due to the fact that PC based controllers have been proven to be as reliable as PLCs and are accepted by operation and maintenance personnel, one manufacturer after another is adopting PC control solutions in at least some production. PC based control systems are easy to install and use, with advanced diagnostic functions, providing system integrators with more flexible choices. From a long-term perspective, PC control systems have low maintenance costs.

Due to the greatest threat of PC control to programmable controllers (PLCs), PLC suppliers are very concerned about the application of PCs. In fact, programmable controllers (PLCs) have also been added to the PC control “wave”.

Industrial PCs have experienced exceptionally rapid development in China. From a global perspective, industrial PCs mainly include two types: IPC industrial computers and CompactPCI industrial computers, as well as their deformation machines, such as AT96 bus industrial computers. Due to the high requirements of basic automation and process automation for the operational stability, hot swapping, and redundant configuration of industrial PCs, the existing IPC can no longer fully meet the requirements and will gradually withdraw from this field, replacing it with a CompactPCI-based industrial computer, which will occupy the management automation layer. In 2001, the country established the “Industrialization of Open Control Systems Based on Industrial Control

Computers” industrial automation major project, with the goal of developing PC based control systems with independent intellectual property rights, occupying 30% (50%) of the domestic market within 3 (5 years, and achieving industrialization.

A few years ago, when “soft PLC” appeared, the industry believed that industrial PCs would replace PLCs. However, industrial PCs have not replaced PLCs to this day for two main reasons: one is due to system integration; Another reason is for the software operating system Windows NT. A successful PC based control system requires two points: firstly, all work must be completed by software on one platform

The second is to provide customers with everything they need. It can be foreseen that the competition between industrial PCs and PLCs will mainly be in high-end applications, with complex data and high equipment integration. Industrial PCs cannot compete with low-priced micro PLCs, which is also the fastest-growing part of the PLC market. From the perspective of development trends, the future of control systems is likely to exist between industrial PCs and PLCs, and these signs of integration have emerged.

Like PLC, the industrial PC market has remained stable over the past two years. Compared to PLC, industrial PC software is very cheap. According to Frost&Sullivan’s estimate, out of the $700 million industrial PC market worldwide each year, approximately $85 million is for control software and $100 million is for operating systems. By 2007, the industrial PC market will double and become very attractive.