Not either-or but as well as

Two control technologies are integrated, IEC 61499 and IEC 61131. A modern and open automation should ideally manage both standards.

With respect to the installed base

Many suppliers and system integrators have a rich fund of existing IEC 61131 function blocks and programs. To support customers with their transition to new markets and technologies, nxtControl has developed a Hybrid solution with IEC 61499 and IEC 61131.

Advantages

IEC 61131 programs can be distributed to several controllers
communication paths between controllers built automatically
visualisation is an integrated part of IEC 61131 environment
entry into IEC 61499 world can be done step by step
advanced IEC 61131 editors and the world

The hybrid solution is simplified by way of the common programing languages of both norms. That way, engineers working in the home environment can take advantage of a distributed, de-centralised control topology. In a completely distributed system a pure IEC 61499 solution offers better possibilities to adapt the solution to a de-centralised hardware topology.