PLCfirst

PLCfirst is a software platform for developing, testing, and deploying industrial PLC programs. It aims to streamline automation projects by providing a vendor-agnostic development environment that accommodates the languages defined by IEC 61131-3 and reduces integration effort among diverse control hardware. The platform targets system integrators, manufacturers, and engineering teams seeking consistent tooling and workflows across different PLC brands.

Core features include a graphical editor for ladder logic and function block diagrams, a structured text editor, and a simulator with virtual I/O and timing models. It supports project versioning, team collaboration, and deployment to on-premises or cloud-based runtimes. The runtime layer abstracts hardware specifics through drivers and adapters, allowing a single project to run on multiple PLC platforms.

Projects are organized into modular libraries of control logic, I/O mappings, and state machines. PLCfirst emphasizes IEC 61131-3 language support, a consistent data model, and test-driven development with a rule-based testing framework. Integration capabilities include version control, continuous integration pipelines, and APIs for asset management and external systems.

In industry discussions, PLCfirst is noted for improving interoperability and speeding onboarding for new automation projects. Critics point to a learning curve and the need for comprehensive licensing for larger teams and enterprise deployments.