ABB, an electrification and automation solutions company, said on Monday it has launched its latest distributed control system (DCS) version, ABB Ability System 800xA 7.0. It said the release is intended to support modernisation without operational downtime at industrial sites and to help accelerate a shift to next-generation automation.

The company said System 800xA 7.0 applies long-term support (LTS) to provide a predictable environment for both existing facilities and new projects. It also offers broad Windows OS compatibility and added support for virtualisation platforms.

The latest version is the first DCS to introduce ABB’s recently announced Automation Extended programme, which it said supports phased adoption of digital technologies for process and system monitoring and optimisation. Through a separation of concerns architecture that clearly separates the control environment from the secure digital environment, customers can implement system performance monitoring, advanced analytics and AI-based decision-support applications without affecting the mission-critical control layer that ensures operational stability.

Stefan Basenach (스테판 바세나흐), senior vice president of ABB’s automation technology division, said, “System 800xA 7.0 is an important milestone in the way we deliver innovation while maintaining continuity.” He said customers have said they need flexibility to pursue modernisation at their own pace while protecting the value of their installed assets. “With the new 7.0 version, we deliver a platform that is robust today and ready for the future. The latest version strengthens core control capabilities while enabling phased adoption of next-generation digital technologies without operational downtime through Automation Extended features,” he said.