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Contributors›Deane Horn
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Director Product Management

Deane Horn

<p> Click <a href="https://company.softing.com/us/" style="color:#3d7ede">here</a> to visit softing.com</a> </p>

3 articles
Contributor Brief·Deane Horn · 3 articles
Updated Dec 13, 2025

Incremental adoption and connectivity are reshaping industrial automation strategy

Horn argues that modern industrial automation success depends on tools designed for incremental learning and adoption rather than disruptive overhauls, enabling teams to migrate legacy systems and embrace connectivity at a manageable pace. He contends that connectivity—not just control—has become the structural requirement for manufacturing competitiveness, bridging plant floor operations with enterprise data systems in ways that demand careful architectural thinking.

3

core phases in DeviceNet to 5069 platform migration

“Tools that can be learned incrementally and adopted at a user's own pace are becoming especially valuable.”

A Guided Overview of tManager from Softing

Industrial automation transformation pillars

Connectivity between plant floor and enterprise systems10
Legacy hardware migration strategy9
Incremental tool adoption and learning8
Data flow management without operational friction8
Device configuration and interoperability maintenance7

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24%Connectivity between
Connectivity between plant floor and enterprise systems
Legacy hardware migration strategy
Incremental tool adoption and learning
Data flow management without operational friction
+1 more

DeviceNet → 5069

represents the architecture shift manufacturers face most commonly

Migrating from legacy industrial control hardware to modern platforms is rarely glamorous, but it remains one of the most consequential tasks.

5069-SDN Long Technical Overview: Complete Migration Strategy from 1769 DeviceNet Scanners

Industrial automation is in the middle of a profound shift, as manufacturers push beyond basic control toward fully connected, data-driven operations.

Why Connectivity Has Become the Cornerstone of Modern Industrial Automation

“Basic PLC data transfer to IT is no longer sufficient—connectivity is now a business imperative.”

Themes:Incremental adoption over disruptive migrationConnectivity as foundational infrastructure requirementOperational friction reduction through thoughtful tooling

Latest article

Industrial IoT · Dec 13

A Guided Overview of tManager from Softing

As industrial environments grow more connected and complex, manufacturers are increasingly looking for streamlined ways to manage data flows, configure devices, and maintain interoperability without adding operational friction. Tools that can be learned incrementally and adopted at a user’s own pace are becoming especially valuable, helping teams focus on outcomes rather than wrestling with software…

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A Guided Overview of tManager from Softing

Connect with Deane Horn

Industrial IoT

2 articles
5069-SDN Long Technical Overview: Complete Migration Strategy from 1769 DeviceNet Scanners

5069-SDN Long Technical Overview: Complete Migration Strategy from 1769 DeviceNet Scanners

Migrating from legacy industrial control hardware to modern platforms is rarely glamorous, but it remains one of the most consequential tasks in keeping manufacturing systems running safely and efficiently. In this demonstration, the team tackles a shift from a 1769-based ControlLogix DeviceNet architecture to a 5069 platform—an upgrade that mirrors what many facilities face…

Dec 12, 2025Read now →
Why Connectivity Has Become the Cornerstone of Modern Industrial Automation

Why Connectivity Has Become the Cornerstone of Modern Industrial Automation

Industrial automation is in the middle of a profound shift, as manufacturers push beyond basic control toward fully connected, data-driven operations that bridge the plant floor and the enterprise. What began years ago as early experiments in digital transformation—simply getting PLC data into IT systems—has now accelerated into a critical business imperative fueled by…

Dec 12, 2025Read now →

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  • AM
    Alex M.·2h agoquestion

    What sparked your research into disruptive innovation?

    Curious what the original insight was that led you to the Innovator's Dilemma framework.

  • SL
    Sophia L.·1d agoidea

    Would love a deep-dive into EdTech adoption barriers.

    Your framing of sustaining vs. disruptive innovation feels directly applicable to school systems.

  • DR
    David R.·3d agoquestion

    How do you see AI changing the personalized learning landscape?