# Global & Software-Defined Solutions

See the power of virtual, smart, connected, software-driven systems that drive efficiency and performance even in the most complex, advanced machines.

(IE) Why Software-Driven Systems are Transforming Industrial Equipment

Manufacturers today face increasing global competition, rising demands for greater personalization and stricter sustainability regulations. In this environment, relying on mechanical performance alone is no longer sufficient. The path forward lies in a fundamental shift toward smart, connected, **software-driven systems** that bring a new level of intelligence to industrial equipment.

Machines — once viewed as static assets — now have the potential to deliver immense value. This transformation is powered by **embedded software in machinery**, advanced connectivity and **industrial IoT solutions**. These capabilities are redefining how manufacturers innovate, operate and grow, turning traditional machinery into self-aware systems that drive data-driven manufacturing innovation.

(IE) From Mechanical to Mechatronic Intelligence

The evolution of industrial machines is moving from fixed mechanical systems to **adaptive manufacturing systems**. This is where software becomes deeply integrated with the machine, creating a mechatronic system where mechanical, electrical and software elements work in unison.

Through **cross-disciplinary engineering collaboration**, manufacturers can now design machines that are aware of their environment and capable of thinking and adapting in real time. For example, if a material grade changes during a production run, a software-driven machine can sense this variation, adjust its own behavior and report back to the control system in real time.

This self-awareness shift provides a significant competitive advantage, particularly in delivering speed and precision. **Software-driven systems** also enable machines to make micro-adjustments that maximize uptime and throughput, resulting in smarter, faster and more resilient equipment that powers **data-driven manufacturing innovation.**

(IE) The Core Capabilities of a Software-Driven Machine

What sets **software-driven automation** apart? It’s the complex integration of intelligence and continuous improvement built to deliver speed, autonomy and resilience.

(IE) Multidiscipline Integration

Multidisciplinary integration is becoming increasingly challenging, especially as machines become more complex and evolve towards all-in-one equipment. Electrical, mechanical and software silos often cause bottlenecks. But with a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach, a unified model can be created to connect all disciplines, enabling simulation and co-design from the start.

The outcome? Fewer surprises, improved reliability and faster certification. This early integration also saves costly rework, ensures safe operations from the start and accelerates time to market.

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(IE) Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis

Every machine equipped with sensors generates massive amounts of data — from information on vibrations and temperatures to loads, throughputs and cycle times. But it’s what you do next with this data that defines your competitive edge.

By combining advanced **edge computing in manufacturing** with **industrial IoT solutions**, data is collected and analyzed in real time to provide instant insights for informed action. For example, machine equipment health is continuously monitored, allowing anomalies to be detected before they escalate and helping maintain optimal machine performance. These predictive capabilities and proactiveness are key to turning data into a real competitive advantage.

[(IE) Real-Time Data Collection and Analysis Highlight Banner](/media/23341)

(IE) Remote Updates and Continuous Improvement

When machines are software-driven, updates can be rolled out remotely. Often, a **cloud-based machine control system** is used to roll out new algorithms, implement improved control logic and upgrade safety features without physical downtime. This ensures that machines stay at peak performance — minus the costly intervention.

This continuous improvement transforms machines into living systems — one capable of learning over time and growing into **adaptive manufacturing systems.** Every run drives better efficiency and uptime. Imagine assuring your customer that their machines will perform better next year than today. That’s the power of intelligence built in.

[(IE) Remote Updates and Continuous Improvement Highlight Banner](/media/23342)

(IE) Adaptive and Autonomous Behavior

True intelligence goes beyond automation. It’s about autonomy. **Software-driven systems** can detect, adapt and act autonomously to changing materials, different workloads or environmental conditions. They are even able to collaborate with other machines without human intervention. Some machines also collaborate with humans to enhance performance through **human-robot collaboration (cobotics)**.

This progress in cobots and autonomous intelligence combines autonomy and adaptability, marking the future of adaptive, self-optimizing machines poised for industrial excellence.

[(IE) Adaptive and Autonomous Behavior Highlight Banner](/media/23343)

(IE) The Rise of Connected, Autonomous Equipment

Connectivity is a crucial element for enabling autonomous behavior in machinery. With **connected machinery, edge computing in manufacturing** and advanced sensors, intelligence is now closer to where work is happening. This proximity reduces latency, increases time-critical control functions and promotes real-time decision-making, enabling **autonomous industrial equipment** to perform tasks with minimal supervision.

Sensors are the sensory organs of these smart factories. They are integrated into all types of industrial equipment to deliver crucial production data, monitor machine health and contribute to innovation. From tracking vibrations and temperatures to loads and cycle times, sensors provide the raw data needed for real-time analysis and decision-making. This data stream is vital for everything from predictive maintenance to optimizing production line performance.

When machines, systems, data and people are truly linked, operations become agile and fluid. Machines can self-optimize, self-heal, exchange data and respond intelligently to production workloads. This level of responsiveness leads to faster, smarter and higher-quality production, redefining what is possible in smart manufacturing systems.

(IE) Unlocking New Value and Business Models

As machines become more intelligent, business models must also evolve. **Embedded software in machinery** reinvents value creation by unlocking predictive maintenance analysis, remote software updates and AI-driven diagnostics. These features extend machine life and improve reliability, creating a new service-based revenue model.

With AI, machine learning and **cloud-based machine control,** manufacturers can capture new opportunities beyond the shop floor. These **software-defined machines** continue to learn, optimize and add value over time. This opens the doors to new business models, such as Equipment-as-a-Service (EaaS), which provides ongoing value and predictive support, generating sustainable profits for tomorrow’s industrial enterprises.

(IE) Leveraging the 3DEXPERIENCE® Platform for Software-Driven Innovation

How can manufacturers bring all these capabilities into reality — from design to delivery? Enter the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform.

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(IE) Virtual Twin Testing Before Deployment

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(IE) Cloud-Based Collaboration Across Disciplines

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(IE) Virtual Commission for Faster Time-to-Market

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(IE) Improved Service Management

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(IE) Greater Flexibility and Client Customization

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(IE) Cost Reduction Through Optimization

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(IE) Automation-Ready for Growth

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(IE) Ready to Unlock What’s Next?

[(IE) Industrial IoT Solutions for Smarter Equipment](/industries/industrial-equipment/software-defined-solutions/industrial-iot-solutions)

[Smart Machines](/industries/industrial-equipment/specialized-manufacturing-machinery/smart-machines)

[Service Lifecycle Management for Smart Machines](/industries/industrial-equipment/software-defined-solutions/service-lifecycle-management)

[Collaborative Innovation and Robotics](/industries/industrial-equipment/software-defined-solutions/collaborative-robotics)

[Connected Manufacturing and Autonomous Systems](/industries/industrial-equipment/software-defined-solutions/connected-manufacturing)

Classic standard

 The **3D**EXPERIENCE platform can contribute to our environmental, social and governance targets by making our design and industrial processes even more efficient by reducing material waste in production, improving remote collaboration to lessen the need for travel, and supporting us to develop smart, sustainable products.

Luca Toffanin

Group Product Platform Manager and PLM Manager, CAREL

 ![CAREL Luca Toffanin > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2024-11/carel-luca-toffanin.jpg)

 We are driven by innovation and thanks to the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, we can continue to support our people to push the boundaries of science.

Petr SMEREK

Engineering Manager, Edwards

 ![Petr SMEREK > Dassault Systèmes®](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-12/ie-petr-smerek-profile-128x128.webp)

## (IE) How Industry Leaders Turn Vision Into Value

Understanding Software-Driven Systems

What is a software-driven system in industrial equipment?

A software-driven system is a machine or device whose performance and intelligence are largely enabled by embedded software. These systems utilize sensors, controllers and smart algorithms to optimize efficiency, support autonomous operation and improve production line performance. In short, software becomes the brain of the machine, driving functions that once depended solely on mechanical or electrical components.

How does embedded software improve machine performance?

Embedded software fine-tunes how a machine works by optimizing algorithms, memory usage and processing power. Techniques like data type optimization and removal of unused code help reduce latency and improve responsiveness. Paired with efficient data structures and specialized processors, embedded software enables faster, more reliable and resource-efficient operations. This leads to better performance, quicker responses and lesser energy consumption.

What are some examples of industries that benefit most from software-driven manufacturing?

Virtually every sector is gaining from software-driven innovation, but it’s especially transformative in manufacturing, logistics, transportation and healthcare. Manufacturers utilize software-driven systems to enhance efficiency and implement predictive maintenance. Logistics companies use it for real-time tracking and route optimization, while healthcare providers rely on it for precision and automation. Finance, retail, agriculture and hospitality are also adopting **software-driven systems** to streamline operations, improve resource utilization and reduce downtime.

How do virtual twins support software-driven system design?

A virtual twin is a dynamic digital replica of a product or system that uses real-world data to simulate its behavior throughout the entire lifecycle. This allows engineers to test multiple design variations, optimize production workflows and predict maintenance needs — all without building a physical prototype. By mirroring real operations in a virtual environment, teams can make better, faster decisions, reduce costs and accelerate time to market.

What are the differences between software-driven and software-defined machines?

Both rely on software to boost intelligence and performance, but there’s a key distinction in how the software and hardware interact. **Software-driven machines** use embedded software within hardware systems to enhance the capabilities of existing hardware. Sensors and control systems work together to make the equipment more efficient and autonomous. On the other hand, in **software-defined machines**, software becomes the central control layer — decoupled from the hardware — allowing for updates, reconfiguration and scalability. Both architectures prove that embedded intelligence remains the foundation for smarter, more adaptive industrial equipment.

## More on Software-Driven Systems

## (IE) Explore Our Industry Solution Experience

 ![Self-aware Software Driven Systems > Dassault Systèmes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-12/ie-self-aware-software-driven-systems-hero-banner-1920x856.webp)

[(IE) Self-Aware Software-Driven Systems Video Banner](/media/23338)

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