At Hannover Messe, Schneider Electric and Microsoft presented a joint concept that aims to raise manufacturing efficiency by integrating automation, cloud technology and artificial intelligence. The partners packaged the practical elements of the solution into an interoperable workflow that works across on-site, edge and hybrid environments.
What underpins the collaboration?
The industrial, software-based automation foundation comes from Schneider Electric’s open platform, EcoStruxure Automation Expert. Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI services complement this foundation by consolidating, analysing and optimising industrial processes. The combined approach links AI-agent-supported manufacturing, open automation and sustainability objectives into a unified concept.
How does the solution operate in practice?
According to Schneider Electric, EcoStruxure Automation Expert lets manufacturers reuse automation logic once it has been created, simulated, validated and deployed, without re-tuning. The joint platform from Microsoft and Schneider Electric compresses engineering design, simulation, commissioning and operations into a single, traceable workflow. Gwenaelle Huet, Executive Vice President responsible for the "Industrial Automation" domain at Schneider Electric, noted that the solution reduces the need for transferring tasks and tools between phases while providing consistent validation and simulation across cloud and edge environments.
Specialised AI agents, coordinated by a central orchestrator, automate routine design decisions and validate automation logic before deployment. This shortens lead times from design to implementation and increases the share of first-time-right outcomes.
What practical results have been reported?
Developers say the platform already delivers measurable benefits: engineering teams can achieve up to 50 percent time savings on control configuration and documentation tasks. Modifications on production lines that previously took weeks can now be completed in hours with the combined solution.
In a project implemented with H2E Power, a pioneer in India’s green hydrogen market, the platform provided more than 6,000 hours of stable autonomous operation in a challenging industrial environment. The solution also supported up to a 10 percent reduction in hydrogen specific cost; for a typical 10 MW plant this corresponds to roughly 500,000 euros of savings per year.
Why does this matter for manufacturers?
The combined technological approach—open automation, cloud-based AI services and AI-agent-driven validation—enables faster engineering cycles, more flexible operations and financial savings. The unified workflow also simplifies traceability and reduces risks from errors, important factors for industrial production and meeting sustainability targets.
Where can interested parties learn more?
Both companies will participate in the Portfolio conference on May 27, where attendees can find additional details about the showcased concept. Further information is expected to appear in other industry events and real-world deployments.
Tags: energy, Microsoft, artificial intelligence, cloud service, automation, sustainability, Azure, manufacturing, efficiency, Schneider Electric
