Pune: Schneider Electric, the global leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, successfully hosted Innovation Day in Pune to drive greater awareness and accelerate the adoption of software-defined open automation across India’s industrial ecosystem. Organised under the theme ‘Rethinking Industrial Automation: Embracing Open, Flexible, and Sustainable Solutions for the Data-Driven Future’, the event spotlighted how open automation can serve as the foundation for building agile, resilient, and future-ready industrial operations.
As part of Schneider Electric’s nationwide Open Automation Movement, the event convened industry leaders, OEMs, technology partners, and other key stakeholders to explore how software-defined automation is breaking down the limitations of legacy, hardware-bound systems. A high-impact panel discussion shed light on the digital transformation journeys of leading industrial players. The conversation highlighted how adopting interoperable and scalable architectures enabled them to overcome operational bottlenecks, simplify system complexity, and achieve measurable improvements in efficiency and sustainability.
Speaking at the Innovation Day, Mr. Arvind Kakru, Vice President – Industrial Automation, Schneider Electric India said. “This event reinforces our belief that Open Automation is not just a technology shift—it’s a mindset shift. Through our EcoStruxure™ Automation Expert platform, we are enabling OEMs and end-users alike to architect modular, vendor-agnostic systems that boost interoperability and operational excellence. Today’s discussions validate that the future of industrial automation lies in being open, collaborative, and data-driven.”
Adding to this, Mr. Rajat Abbi, Vice President – Marketing, Greater India, Schneider Electric, said, “Open Automation represents not just a technological shift but a transformational opportunity for the entire industrial ecosystem. At Schneider Electric, we are committed to fostering industry-wide collaboration and knowledge exchange that empowers enterprises to embrace openness, flexibility, and software-driven innovation. Through platforms like Innovation Day, our aim is to empower customers and partners with insights and innovations that enable them to accelerate their digital transformation journeys and unlock new levels of efficiency, agility, and sustainability.”
Legacy systems, characterized by vendor lock-in and complex maintenance, are no longer fit for the dynamic demands of modern industry. Open automation offers a new paradigm that is defined by flexibility, seamless integration, and data transparency for empowering businesses to transform with speed and confidence.
Speaking at the panel, Amit Deshpande, Sr. General Manager Engineering Eastern, Aquatech Systems Asia Pvt Ltd said, “As industries evolve, agility and interoperability are no longer optional—they’re essential. Embracing software-defined, open automation has allowed us to move away from rigid, vendor-dependent systems and build a more responsive, data-driven operation. This shift has helped us significantly reduce unplanned downtime, optimize resource utilization, and advance our sustainability goals.”
The Innovation Day in Pune is a testament to Schneider Electric’s commitment to Pune, a city at the heart of India’s industrial and manufacturing growth. This initiative aligns with the company’s larger national movement to support enterprises in accelerating digital transformation through openness, flexibility, and innovation.