Rockwell Automation invests $1 billion in PTC

June 11, 2018 PTC Corporation and Rockwell Automation Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for a strategic partnership that is expected to accelerate the growth of both companies and make them the partner of choice for customers around the world looking to transform their physical operations through digital technology. As part of the partnership, Rockwell Automation will make a $1 billion equity investment in PTC, and Blake Moret, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation, will join PTC's board of directors when the stock closes.

The partnership leverages the company's resources, technology, industry expertise and market presence and will include technical cooperation between organizations as well as joint global market initiatives. In particular, PTC and Rockwell Automation have agreed to adapt their respective smart factory technologies and combine PTC's award-winning Thingworx ®, Kepware® Industrial Connections, and Vuforia® Augmented Reality (AR) platforms with Rockwell Automation's premier FactoryTalk® MES, FactoryTalk Analytics and Industrial Automation platforms. The result will be an unparalleled integrated information solution that will enable customers to achieve increased productivity, improved plant efficiency, reduced operational risk, and better system interoperability.

"This strategic alliance will provide the broadest integrated suite of best-in-class technologies in the industry, supported by PTC, a large number of leaders and augmented reality, and Rockwell Automation (a leader in industrial automation and information). Our integrated customer base will benefit from having two world-class organizations that understand their business and offer comprehensive, innovative and integrated solutions, said Heppelmann, PTC President and CEO Jim PTC." Leverage Rockwell Automation's industry-leading industrial control and software technologies, strong brands and domain expertise with PTC's award-winning technologies enable industrial enterprises to capitalize on the promise of industry. I'm incredibly excited about this partnership and the opportunity for it to power our future success.

"We believe this strategic partnership will enable us to accelerate growth by building on both companies' track records of innovation, expanding the value of Connected Enterprises and deepening our customer relationships," said Blake Moret, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. With IT and OT converging, there is a natural alignment between our companies. We will provide the most comprehensive and flexible service in the industrial sector. Our equity investment in PTC reflects the confidence we have in our partner and the significant advantages we expect it to create for both companies.

The editor sees Rockwell Automation as a bold step from a traditional automation company to an industrial Internet operation model. We expect Rockwell Automation to innovate in its product lines and service types. Will the centennial company follow Microsoft's lead in embracing the Internet and the cloud?

(The article is from Jianzhi Industrial Control)