Rockwell Automation, the world's largest industrial automation and digital transformation company, has announced the launch of FactoryTalk Design Workbench, a free development software designed specifically for compact control systems. Version 1 supports Micro800 controllers and provides a unified workspace for programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.

The FactoryTalk Design Workbench software is designed to provide machine builders and manufacturers working on compact, standalone systems with a consistent and efficient way to develop automation solutions. Companies in the packaging, water and wastewater, agriculture, and material handling industries often face long development cycles, fragmented tools, and limited flexibility. According to Rockwell, the new software optimizes the process from programming to deployment while supporting multiple devices to simplify system management.

“FactoryTalk Design Workbench software is our next-generation design environment for compact control systems, offering Rockwell Automation product users a productive, more reliable, and more familiar application experience,” said Wan Shan Loo, product manager at Rockwell Automation. "Customers have been asking for an intuitive and easy-to-use tool, and FactoryTalk Design Workbench software delivers just that. With support for Micro800 controllers and a scalable architecture, it simplifies workflows and lays the foundation for broader device integration in the future."

FactoryTalk Design Workbench software is now available through Rockwell's Product Compatibility & Downloads Center (PCDC). Future versions are expected to extend support beyond Micro800 controllers, with annual updates anticipated.

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