Schneider Electric launches open automation drive to power India’s industrial future

At the core of the movement is Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE), a software-centric platform that decouples industrial software from hardware, enabling plug-and-play automation, faster engineering cycles, and a modular system design approach

Schneider Electric has rolled out a nationwide initiative titled the Open Automation Movement, aimed at revolutionizing India’s industrial automation ecosystem by promoting open, software-defined systems. The movement seeks to liberate industries from the constraints of legacy automation by championing interoperability, vendor independence, and seamless IT-OT integration.

The initiative comes at a time when India’s industrial sector is under pressure to modernize rapidly in response to global competitiveness, sustainability goals, and the push toward digital transformation. Traditional automation systems—often rigid, expensive to maintain, and locked to specific vendors—are increasingly seen as barriers to growth.

Deepak Sharma, Zone President – Greater India and MD & CEO, Schneider Electric India, described the initiative as a necessary pivot for the country’s industrial future. “India’s aspiration to become a global industrial powerhouse depends on our ability to adopt intelligent, scalable, and sustainable systems. Open Automation empowers organizations to break free from outdated infrastructure and embrace a new era of flexibility, agility, and digital readiness,” he said.

At the core of the movement is Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert (EAE), a software-centric platform that decouples industrial software from hardware. This enables plug-and-play automation, faster engineering cycles, and a modular approach to system design. The platform supports seamless data flow across operations, facilitating advanced analytics and real-time decision-making, both at the edge and in the cloud.

According to Arvind Kakru, Vice President – Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric India, the shift to open automation is not incremental—it’s transformative. “We’re moving away from closed, monolithic systems to truly interoperable environments. EAE enables manufacturers to design smarter systems, reduce downtime, and respond quickly to market demands. It simplifies complex industrial processes and significantly lowers the total cost of ownership,” he said.

Empowering SMEs through open automation

The Open Automation Movement is also expected to benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which often lack access to high-end automation solutions due to cost and complexity. By introducing modular, scalable systems that eliminate dependency on single-vendor ecosystems, Schneider Electric aims to democratize automation across all industry tiers.

Rajat Abbi, Vice President – Marketing, Schneider Electric India, emphasized that the company will be leveraging multiple outreach platforms to build awareness. “This initiative reflects our commitment to shaping a future where industrial automation is accessible, adaptable, and driven by innovation. We are working closely with industry bodies, partners, and digital channels to take this message across sectors,” he said.

The movement has already attracted interest from key industries including Water & Wastewater, Consumer Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, and Life Sciences. These sectors are exploring open automation to enhance efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

As India advances toward a more digitized and industrialized future, Schneider Electric’s Open Automation Movement positions itself as a critical enabler—unlocking a new era of operational freedom, energy efficiency, and intelligent control.