Automation Studio (AS) was designed to be the "single tool" philosophy. Before AS, engineers often needed different software packages for PLC programming, motion control, and HMI design. Automation Studio 3.0.5 unified these disciplines into one Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
| Feature | Automation Studio 3.0.5 | Newer Versions (7.x/8.x) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Windows XP, 7, 8 (32/64-bit), low RAM (<1GB) | Windows 10/11, 8GB+ RAM, dedicated GPU | | Simulation speed | Very fast for circuits <100 components | Slower for complex projects but more accurate | | License cost | Lower (often available used or academic) | High (SaaS subscription model) | | 3D mechatronics | Not available | Full 3D CAD integration | | IoT/Cloud | None | Connectivity to real PLCs (OPC UA) | | Stability | Extremely stable, minimal bugs | Frequent patches | Automation studio 3.0.5