In the era of globalization and digitalization, it is important to offer a high-quality product in the most cost-effective way possible in order to stay ahead of the competition at an international level. Therefore, in the glass industry, the focus is on the core business: the production of glass. 
As a result, the production plants are often constructed by plant builders and OEMs. The individual system solutions of the OEMs are used for the different plant sections, without considering the plant as a whole. 
As a result of the mix of different systems, an on-the-flyreaction to changing market conditions is significantly more difficult. In addition to short-term response options, the workload for maintenance is considerably increased over the entire plant life cycle of 15 to 20 years and operation of the plant is more labor-intensive because there is no uniform look-and-feel and no homogenous messaging system.

With plant-wide automation, it is possible to combine all automation components of the different machine and plant builders into a plant-wide total automation solution. This pays off along the entire value added chain – for the plant operator as well as the machine and plant builder. Plant-wide automation is a holistic solution for the entire life cycle of a glass plant, from plant design to operation. 
This is possible through the comprehensive product portfolio for the glass industry, including automation technology, industrial switchgear, process instrumentation and analysis and energy technology components. Plant-wide automation (PWA) is the basis for a smooth, uniform, standardized solution for plant-encompassing automation. Siemens supports both the general contractor and OEMs in this, e.g. working out specifications, with the components and assemblies used, and in project support and further-reaching services.

Further aspects are digital design and virtual commissioning of the plant as a whole, as well as an extensive service portfolio. Industry knowledge and strong partnerships with glass manufacturers as well as machine/plant builders and system integrators form the basis for plant-wide automation. 
The plant engineering software COMOS, the process control system SIMATIC PCS 7 and the simulation software SIMIT serve as the core of this automation.Through the interaction of these products, your plant develops from an idea into a future-proof plant.