Allen Bradley SLC5 Software

[chas]

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the software to program an Allen
Bradley SLC5/3 ?

 

[Steve Cothran]

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the software to program an Allen
Bradley SLC5/3 ?

Sure. Your local Allen-Bradley rep. Only $500-600. + a few hundred a
year for maintenance.

 

[chas]

So what if I don't have that much money ?

Sure. Your local Allen-Bradley rep. Only $500-600. + a few hundred a
year for maintenance.

 

[Steve Cothran]

I'm using a real nice unit, with an extruded black andoized
frame and aluminum ends, din rail mounted... the programming
software and kit is 180 dollars.

What is it, Phil? Wago? I've used some AutomationDirects (software
$100), but they have no nice extruded cases.

Back to the OP's question, being serious this time, if you buy a copy
of Rslogix off ebay or somewhere, be sure you get the keydisk with it.
Also be aware that AB software changes versions with the slightest
breeze, and programs made with v6.0 can not be directly loaded into
v5.5, at least not the comments and symbols.

I'll start the old thing about how methinks that PLC manufacturers
should give away their software to get you to buy their PLC's.

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

What is it, Phil? Wago? I've used some AutomationDirects (software
$100), but they have no nice extruded cases.

Back to the OP's question, being serious this time, if you buy a copy
of Rslogix off ebay or somewhere, be sure you get the keydisk with it.
Also be aware that AB software changes versions with the slightest
breeze, and programs made with v6.0 can not be directly loaded into
v5.5, at least not the comments and symbols.

I'll start the old thing about how methinks that PLC manufacturers
should give away their software to get you to buy their PLC's.

Think about it this way. Lets say you (an engineer) bid a job with a few
PLCs and then turn it over to the customer. If the customer has some
savvy maintenance tech on staff, they'll just repair or upgrade the
system on their own. If the cost of the tools is kept high, they are
more likely to refer such business back to the engineering firm (you).

AB (and others) might be happy to give the stuff away (or just cover
their expenses) but their customers (consultants) would get upset.

 

[Paul Hovnanian P.E.]

upset.

Not to be obtuse or anything, and to a large degree I agree
with you, but thats the kind of logic and strategy that got
so much work sent to india..

Correct. Manufacturers forget who their real customers are and what
their TCO is.

. and its what's driving PLC sales to chinese options now...
and its why chinese computers are selling in the US now and
there is a fast move to linux/chinese world wide. The Bill
Gates strategy runs out of gas unless you can dominate the
entire world market.

Here agian, Microsoft percieves their customers as the companies that
run servers and send you all those popups and spyware. End users are
considered to be the property of a company, not a customer.

In the PLC market Allen Bradley has no hope of
that...especially as there are so many new open market
options. they are narrowing themselves into a corner with
their wonderful line of world class sensors... thats not the
broader market.. when they loose the broader market they cease
to be viable...meantime the chinese and germans are coming up
with some world class sensors of their own.

Allen Bradley and others create cost barriers to adoption to protect
their current marketing channels. But in the end, challengers just
attack these channels with lower cost solutions.

Being part of what AB (and Microsoft) considers to be its marketing
channel, I have to decide whether or not to rely on their proprietary
solutions to keep my customers locked in, or whether some other
engineering firm can spec something with a lower cost. If they can, I
have to decide if I can stand up to the competition or if I need a
shield to hide behind.