Manufacturing Hub

In this episode of Automate 2025, we welcome Bernd Raithel from Siemens back to the show to discuss the evolution of industrial control systems and the future of manufacturing. As the Head of R&D for Siemens Factory Automation in the US, Bernd shares his unique perspective on bridging legacy PLCs with modern IT infrastructure, enabling software-defined automation, and empowering manufacturers with flexible and scalable digital tools. With deep insights into products like the S7-1200, S7-1500, TIA Portal, Sematic X, and Siemens Industrial Edge, Bernd explores how Siemens is supporting everything from small-scale modernization to large-scale transformation.
We cover critical trends shaping the next generation of manufacturing, including the rise of virtual PLCs (vPLCs), integration of AI into control systems, the shift from hardware to software-defined automation, and the challenges of IT and OT convergence. Bernd also highlights the importance of version control, DevOps pipelines, and open edge development in making industrial systems more agile.
We wrap up by looking at Siemens' global R&D structure, freemium software models for engineers, and how manufacturers can take their first steps into digital transformation—without boiling the ocean.
This is a must-watch conversation for engineers, IT leaders, and decision-makers in the automation space looking to understand what the future of control and connectivity looks like.


đź”— Mentioned Tools and Technologies:
  • Siemens S7-1200 and S7-1500
  • Siemens TIA Portal
  • Siemens Sematic X
  • Siemens Industrial Edge & Edge Developer Kit
  • Siemens Unified
  • vPLC (Virtual PLC)
  • Codesys
  • Git-style source control for automation
  • AI Copilots for engineering and operations

đź“Ť Timestamps:
 00:00 Welcome and intro to Bernd Raithel’s new role
 02:00 Siemens legacy in Johnson City and product milestones
 04:00 Why software-defined automation is gaining traction
 06:00 Edge computing, vPLCs, and building flexible architectures
 08:00 The real-world challenges of IT and OT integration
 10:30 Sematic X, version control, and agile OT tools
 13:00 How Siemens runs global R&D across multiple continents
 15:00 The future of manufacturing and PLC longevity
 17:00 Balancing modern tools with 30-year lifecycle expectations
 19:00 Starting points for digital transformation with Industrial Edge
 20:00 Siemens freemium strategy and access to tools for engineers
đź“š Learn More:
  • Siemens Industrial Edge: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/industrial-edge.html
  • TIA Portal: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/tia-portal.html
  • Sematic X: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/sematic-x.html
  • Siemens Unified: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/topic-areas/unified.html
  • Siemens vPLC: https://new.siemens.com/global/en/products/automation/industry-software/virtual-plc.html
  • Siemens Developer Trials: https://plcnext-community.net/

Creators and Guests

Host
Dave Griffith
Dave helps Industrial companies go through digital transformations that pay for themselves.
Host
Vladimir Romanov
B. Eng / MBA - Technical Business Leader With Experience Across Manufacturing & Software Industries

What is Manufacturing Hub?

We bring you manufacturing news, insights, discuss opportunities, and cutting edge technologies. Our goal is to inform, educate, and inspire leaders and workers in manufacturing, automation, and related fields.