The Risk of Not Having 
Enough PLC Backups

In the IT world, frequent data backups are essential for data integrity and access. In the manufacturing sector, however, backups of PLC programs are often not done until post-installation, which excludes capturing any later changes in the programming. This oversight could lead to several potential issues:

  • Limited error detection and resolution
  • Inadequate traceability for changes
  • Jeopardized plant stability
  • Elevated periods of inactivity and higher production costs

Real-world examples demonstrate the severity of the issue.

AMDT Image

Example 1: 
A Mere Mis-Click Can Result in the Loss of Several Million Euros

While performing routine maintenance on a production facility, an accidental change was made to the automation software of a PLC, which remained undetected for weeks. This oversight resulted in several million liters of flawed products being produced and shipped. The problem was only realized after the products were in circulation, necessitating a significant and publicized recall.

To prevent such incidents, production supervisors must always be informed about WHO changed WHAT assets, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY.

Utilizing PLC Backups for the 
Purpose of Comparing Different Versions

octoplant serves as an innovative solution in managing and safeguarding PLC systems. It effectively protects vital production data, identifies potential security gaps, and enables detailed comparisons of different versions. A vital part of octoplant is its automated backups, which come with numerous benefits:

Disaster Recovery

Automated backups facilitate rapid and straightforward system recovery in the event of a failure.

Scheduled backups

Automated backups can be scheduled to occur on a regular basis, such as daily, weekly, or monthly, or they can be initiated by setting a specific trigger.

Time-saving benefits

Automated backups save time by offloading manual work from operational technology teams, allowing them to dedicate attention to other important tasks.

Data security

For data security, having a recent backup is essential for recovering from a cyber attack.

Web Demo

Discover how octoplant secures your PLC systems and gives you a comprehensive overview of your production environment with precise version comparisons.

AMDT Image AMDT Image

Example 2: 
Managing Highly Complex PLC Programs Effectively

An international automobile manufacturer works with about 20 external service providers for daily deliveries of PLC programs on USBs, which complicates coordination and adds complexity to program monitoring and integration. Ensuring transparency and control over these changes is essential to preserving PLC system stability and security. octoplant provides production managers with complete control, allowing them to closely monitor changes by external providers and make well-informed decisions about incorporating specific changes into the production line.

Diverse Analysis Techniques 
for Effective Troubleshooting

octoplant simplifies the comparison of different versions and states by offering intuitive change detection and analysis. Its version comparison tool, SmartCompare, is suitable for a wide range of uses:

  • Binary comparison: Identify irregularities and fix errors by comparing Version 1 with Version 2.
  • Text comparison: Analyze program code using text-based code analysis that provides clear insights.
  • Graphical comparison: Intuitive differentiation makes this feature notably efficient.

TOP SPS in Use

octoplant provides a user-friendly platform for managing and securing PLC systems, including well-known brands such as Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, and Rockwell Automation. Additionally, octoplant supports a variety of other systems, such as robots, HMI devices, CNC machines, SCADA systems, and workstations.

Name Manufacturer Device Type Link to tutorial
ABB Freelance ABB DCS/SCADA/HMI
ABB Robots ABB Robots
Adobe PDF ADOBE Universal
Acronis Backup ACRONIS Backup/Images
ASCII ASCII Universal
Atlas Copco Tightening Systems Power Focus 4000/4001 ATLAS COPCO IFD Intelligent Field Devices
AUVESY Image Service AUVESY Backup/Images
AVEVA InTouch AVEVA DCS/SCADA/HMI
AVEVA PlantSCADA (CitectSCADA) AVEVA DCS/SCADA/HMI
B&R Automation Studio B&R PLC
BECKHOFF TwinCAT BECKHOFF PLC
Binary Binary Universal
CODESYS CODESYS PLC
COGNEX DataMan Scanner COGNEX IFD Intelligent Field Devices
COGNEX?In-Sight COGNEX IFD Intelligent Field Devices
COPA-DATA Zenon COPA DCS/SCADA/HMI
Drive SnapShot DRIVE Backup/Images
Emerson PAC Machine Edition EMERSON PLC
EPLAN P8 EPLAN DCS/SCADA/HMI
FANUC CNC FANUC CNC/NC
FTP FTP Universal
GE Proficy iFix GE DCS/SCADA/HMI
Hirschmann Switche HIRSCHMANN Switch/Router/Firewalls
JSON JSON Universal
Kistler DMF-P KISTLER IFD Intelligent Field Devices
Kistler maXYmos KISTLER IFD Intelligent Field Devices
KUKA KR C2 KUKA Robots
KUKA KR C4 KUKA Robots
Lenze 8400/8401 protec SL/HL LENZE IFD Intelligent Field Devices
Microsoft Excel MICROSOFT Universal
Microsoft Word MICROSOFT Universal
MITSUBISHI Melsoft GX Works MITSUBISHI PLC
MITSUBISHI Robots MITSUBISHI Robots
Omron CX-Programmer OMRON PLC
PHOENIX CONTACT FL Switches PHOENIX Switch/Router/Firewalls
PHOENIX CONTACT MGUARD-Router PHOENIX Switch/Router/Firewalls
PHOENIX CONTACT PC WORX PHOENIX PLC
Rockwell FactoryTalk View ME/SE ROCKWELL AUTOMATION DCS/SCADA/HMI
Rockwell RSLogix 5 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION PLC
Rockwell RSLogix 500 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION PLC
Rockwell RSLogix 5000 Logix Designer ROCKWELL AUTOMATION PLC
Rockwell-Allen-Bradley Stratix Switch 5700 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Switch/Router/Firewalls
Schneider EcoStruxure Control Expert SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
Schneider Electric Concept SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
Schneider Electric Modsoft SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
Schneider Electric PL7 Pro SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
Schneider Electric Unity Pro SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
SEW-EURODRIVE MOVITOOLS? MotionStudio SEW Drives
SICK Sopas ET SICK IFD Intelligent Field Devices
Siemens PCS7 SIEMENS DCS/SCADA/HMI
Siemens SCALANCE switches SIEMENS Switch/Router/Firewalls
Siemens SIMATIC STEP 5 SIEMENS PLC
Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 SIEMENS PLC
Siemens SIMATIC STEP 7 Multiproject SIEMENS PLC
Siemens SINAMICS Umrichter SIEMENS Drives
Siemens SINUMERIK 840D HMI Advanced SIEMENS CNC/NC
Siemens SINUMERIK 840D Operate SIEMENS CNC/NC
Siemens TIA Portal SIEMENS Combined automation platform
Siemens WinCC SIEMENS DCS/SCADA/HMI
Siemens WinCC flexible SIEMENS DCS/SCADA/HMI
SSH SSH Universal
UNC UNC Universal
WAGO e!COCKPIT WAGO PLC
Windows INI MICROSOFT Universal
YASKAWA Robots YASKAWA Robots
Advantech EKI Switch ADVANTECH Switch/Router/Firewalls
AEG A250 AEG PLC
AEG A500 AEG PLC
Bosch CPS21 BOSCH PLC
Bosch Rexroth Indralogic L BOSCH PLC
Bosch Rexroth System3xx BOSCH IFD Intelligent Field Devices
CSV CSV Universal
Danfoss DANFOSS IFD Intelligent Field Devices
EATON EATON PLC
FANUC Robots FANUC Robots
IBH S5 for Windows IBH PLC
IBH S7 for Windows IBH PLC
Indramat CLM INDRAMAT CNC/NC
Indramat DDS INDRAMAT IFD Intelligent Field Devices
Indramat Drivetop Eco Drive INDRAMAT IFD Intelligent Field Devices
KUKA KR C5 KUKA Robots
Omron Adept OMRON Robots
PHOENIX CONTACT PC WORX Safety PHOENIX PLC
Pilz PSS3032 PILZ PLC
Pilz PSSPG PILZ PLC
Pilz Safety PILZ PLC
Pilz WinPro PILZ PLC
Rockwell PowerFlex Drives ROCKWELL AUTOMATION Drives
Schneider Electric ProWORX Plus SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
SEW-EURODRIVE MoviDrive? SEW Drives
Sick PLS SICK IFD Intelligent Field Devices
Siemens COM?Profibus SIEMENS PLC
Siemens CP143 SIEMENS PLC
Siemens ProTool SIEMENS DCS/SCADA/HMI
Siemens SIMATIC SimoDrive SIEMENS Drives
Siemens SIMOTION SIEMENS Drives
XML XML Universal
Stäubli Robots STÄUBLI Robots
S?tron TSWin SÜTRON DCS/SCADA/HMI
COMAU COMAU Robots
Siemens ET200 SIEMENS PLC
Schneider EcoStruxure Machine Expert SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC PLC
Sütron TSWin SÜTRON DCS/SCADA/HMI
ABB Logo
Beckhoff Logo
Codesys Logo
Cognex Logo
Fanuc Logo
Kuka Logo
Mitsubishi Logo
Omron Logo
Pilz Logo
Rexroth Logo
Rockwell Automation Logo
Schneider Electric Logo
Sick Logo
Siemens Logo
Yaskawa Logo
Web Demo

Experience firsthand how octoplant optimizes PLC control and provides a comprehensive overview of your entire plant.