Automation Studio vs Sysmac Studio
Comprehensive comparison of two leading PLC programming platforms
Automation Studio
B&R Industrial Automation (ABB Group)
Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
Sysmac Studio
Omron
All-in-one machine automation solution
Head-to-Head Match
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Sysmac Studio leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
Score Breakdown
| Category | Automation Studio | Sysmac Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 70 | 73✓ |
| Pricing | 75 | 75 |
| Ease of Use | 50 | 50 |
| Features | 84 | 84 |
| Industry Adoption | 55 | 65✓ |
| Community Support | 91 | 99✓ |
| Career Value | 68 | 69✓ |
Real-World Scenario Recommendations
See how Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio perform in specific industry scenarios to help guide your decision.
Small Machine Builder
OEM building compact machines with 50-200 I/O points, typically for niche markets or specialized applications
Automation Studio
Excellent choice for small OEMs focused on packaging, food processing, or pharmaceutical machinery. B&R (now ABB) Automation Studio licensing ($1,000-$8,000) is reasonable, and the Mapp Technology framework dramatically accelerates development. These pre-built function blocks handle common packaging tasks (conveyor control, recipe management, batch processing) that would take weeks to program from...
Sysmac Studio
Premium choice for small OEMs building sophisticated machines with integrated motion, robotics, and vision. Sysmac Studio licensing ($1,200-$6,000) is reasonable given the unified environment for logic, motion, robotics, vision, and safety programming. If your machines require coordinated multi-axis motion (pick-and-place, assembly, packaging with complex motion profiles), the integrated motion co...
Key Considerations:
- •Per-machine software licensing cost vs expected production volume
- •Time-to-market pressure - can you afford 6+ month learning curves?
- •Target customer geography and brand preferences
- •Hardware cost optimization - some platforms offer cheaper controllers
Automotive Tier 1 Supplier
Tier 1 automotive supplier providing systems and components directly to OEM vehicle manufacturers (VW, BMW, GM, Ford, Toyota, etc.)
Automation Studio
Strategic choice for Tier 1 suppliers specializing in specific automotive sectors where B&R excels: automotive paint shops (B&R has strong track record in paint atomizer control), electric vehicle battery assembly (precision handling and traceability), and automotive glass manufacturing. ABB's ownership of B&R (since 2017) has strengthened automotive credentials. The Automation Studio licensing ($...
Sysmac Studio
Emerging contender for automotive Tier 1 suppliers, particularly in Asian markets and for EV-related manufacturing. Sysmac Studio's unified environment for logic, motion, robotics, and vision aligns well with automotive assembly requirements. The EtherCAT networking provides the high-speed, synchronized control needed for body shop robotics and powertrain assembly. The integrated motion control ha...
Key Considerations:
- •Customer-specified platforms are non-negotiable - verify before any engineering investment
- •Long-term parts availability (15-20 years) is critical for automotive
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) must be well-established and accepted
- •Customer's plant maintenance teams must be trained on your platform
Process Industry (Chemical, Oil & Gas, Pharma)
Continuous process control in chemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and other process industries requiring high reliability and regulatory compliance
Automation Studio
Limited process industry adoption despite B&R's capabilities. The Automation Studio platform is primarily oriented toward discrete manufacturing and packaging. While technically capable of process control, the ecosystem lacks deep integration with process instrumentation and safety systems common in chemical, oil and gas, or pharmaceutical applications. The market positioning doesn't emphasize pro...
Sysmac Studio
Inappropriate for process industries. Sysmac Studio is optimized for discrete manufacturing, robotics, and machine automation - not continuous process control. The lack of process-specific features (advanced PID, cascade control, batch control), limited process field instrument integration, and absence of hot-standby redundancy eliminate it from process industry consideration. Focus Sysmac Studio ...
Key Considerations:
- •Redundancy and high availability are mandatory for critical processes
- •Safety certifications (SIL 2/SIL 3) for emergency shutdown systems
- •Long-term vendor support (20-30 year plant lifecycles)
- •Integration with process instrumentation and field devices
💰Pricing Comparison
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while Sysmac Studio ranges from $1 200 to $6 000.
📚Learning Curve
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 4-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
⚙️Features & Capabilities
Automation Studio offers 11 key features including safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Sysmac Studio provides 11 key features with safety programming, motion control, robotics integration. Both platforms offer a comprehensive feature set for industrial automation.
🏭Industry Adoption
Sysmac Studio has 50% market adoption compared to Automation Studio's 45%. Sysmac Studio dominates in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, while Automation Studio is strongest in Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific. Sysmac Studio's higher adoption means more job opportunities and community resources.
🔌Hardware Compatibility
Automation Studio is designed specifically for B&R Automation (ABB) hardware, while Sysmac Studio works with Omron PLCs. Both are vendor-specific solutions optimized for their respective hardware ecosystems.
💼Career Prospects
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.
Automation Studio Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓Excellent for high-speed packaging machinery
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Modern development environment
- ✓C/C++ programming option for complex logic
Limitations
- ✗Less common than Siemens/Rockwell (fewer jobs)
- ✗Smaller user community
- ✗Limited third-party resources
Best For
Sysmac Studio Overview
Key Strengths
- ✓All-in-one machine automation solution
- ✓Excellent for integrated robotics
- ✓Strong motion control capabilities
- ✓Good 3D simulation tools
Limitations
- ✗Limited to newer Omron NJ/NX hardware
- ✗Can't program older Omron PLCs
- ✗Smaller community than Siemens/Rockwell
Best For
Recommendations
For Beginners
Both are suitable
For Professionals
Both are suitable
Budget-Constrained
Both are suitable
Enterprise Use
Both are suitable
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Automation Studio or Sysmac Studio?
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio are excellent choices with different strengths. Automation Studio excels in community support, while Sysmac Studio leads in community support. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements, budget, and target hardware platform.
What is the price difference between Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio?
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio are in the same price range ($$). Automation Studio pricing ranges from $1 000 to $8 000, while Sysmac Studio ranges from $1 200 to $6 000.
Which is easier to learn: Automation Studio or Sysmac Studio?
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio have similar learning curves (rated 6/10). Expect 4-6 months to become proficient with either platform.
Which has better career prospects?
Both Automation Studio and Sysmac Studio offer similar career value with certification programs. Knowledge of either platform will open automation career opportunities.