This year’s China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in Shanghai once again served as a global showcase for industrial innovation and smart manufacturing.

A special highlight for us: Virtual PLCnext Control was awarded in the prestigious “Industrial Automation Award” at CIIF. The jury especially recognized the innovative strength and the contribution to flexible, scalable, and sustainable automation.

What makes Virtual PLCnext Control so special?

The jury justified its decision with three points that were considered outstanding innovations.

• Soft and hard decoupling: Virtual PLCnext Control is not tied to proprietary hardware. Thanks to containerization and virtualization, it can run on various platforms, offering flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. This decoupling allows users to choose hardware freely, adapt quickly to technological changes, and reduce maintenance costs.
• Multiple controls: Multiple instances can run independently on a single device, either via containers or virtual machines. Containers offer lightweight and fast deployment, while virtual machines provide strong isolation and mature management.
• Comprehensive IoT integration: Virtual PLCnext Control bridges traditional control logic with modern IoT technologies. It enhances transparency, responsiveness, and resource optimization. On the OT side, it integrates PLCnext Runtime (IEC 61131), while on the IT side, it supports advanced data processing and connectivity.

This award at CIIF is a strong signal for the international recognition of PLCnext Technology. We are proud to contribute to the digital transformation of industry with our Virtual PLCnext Control.

One of China’s largest industrial events

The CIIF is considered China’s most important platform for industrial cooperation and innovation, setting standards for the future of industry with its high-profile forums, and numerous world premieres. From September 23 to 27, 2025, more than 3,000 exhibitors from 28 countries – including many market leaders – presented their solutions across more than 300,000 square meters.

This year’s focus was on artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, and digitalization. Over 300 world premieres were presented – from the fastest collaborative robot solution to sustainable materials and smart manufacturing solutions. We are proud to have been a part of this large and important industry event.