ABB updates Freelance distributed control system to boost plant efficiency and future-proof operations

• The latest version of ABB’s Freelance distributed control system enhances plant connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable communication for optimal real-time data processing and control

• Freelance 2024 enables secure and up-to-date operating environment with Windows 11 compatibility and MS Defender integration

• PROFINET and NAMUR Open Architecture ensure efficient data exchange and integration across various systems, facilitating technology adoption and operational scaling

Leveraging 30 years of continuous innovation and reliability, ABB’s updated Freelance 2024 distributed control system (DCS) offers greater plant adaptability, faster and more reliable device communication, improved system security, and seamless data exchange. The updated version ensures future-proof upgrades for existing projects and easy implementation in new projects.

“Today more than ever process industry plants need to be able to adapt quickly to stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape with unpredictable market demands and increasing regulations,” said Stefan Basenach, Senior Vice President, Process Automation Technology, ABB. “Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant managers focus on strategic initiatives by simplifying operations and improving system flexibility. It meets current industrial demands and prepares plants for future technological advancements.”

Freelance 2024 facilitates enhanced connectivity, faster data transfer, more precise control and monitoring of data together with an improved network performance, leveraging the new PROFINET integration and support of Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (APL).

With its scalability and integration capabilities, Freelance 2024 is designed to help plant operators reduce downtime while simplifying tasks. NAMUR Open Architecture support via OPC UA ensures secure and more standardized data exchange across various systems and devices, increasing interoperability and simplifying the integration of new technologies. Plant agility is further enhanced thanks to Freelance 2024 controllers, which support Module Type Packages (MTP) for ‘plug and play’ Modular Automation.

As plant owners prepare for the next-generation workforce, Freelance 2024 helps bridge the skills gap with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that reduces training time and simplifies engineering, operations and maintenance.

ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in process, hybrid and maritime industries improve performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. go.abb/processautomation

ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 140 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation. www.abb.com