Microsoft and Rockwell Automation: Transforming Industrial AI Together
Unlocking the Future of Connected Operations In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, manufacturers face mounting pressure to increase agility, optimize operations, and harness data-driven insights across every level of production. The collaboration between Microsoft and Rockwell Automation represents a pivotal step toward achieving these goals. By combining Rockwell’s deep expertise in operational technology (OT) with Microsoft’s adaptive cloud approach, this partnership bridges the gap between OT and IT, creating a unified, intelligent ecosystem that empowers manufacturers to innovate at scale. Together, we enable seamless connectivity, advanced analytics, and AI-driven optimization across the factory floor from edge and cloud environments. Connected Operations powered by Microsoft and Rockwell Rockwell Automation’s FactoryTalk Optix and Microsoft’s Azure IoT Operations together deliver a powerful foundation for industrial transformation. FactoryTalk Optix provides a modern, flexible visualization platform for real-time monitoring and control of OT systems. FactoryTalk Optix supports numerous industrial protocols for secure interoperability and “smart-object” data modeling to provide analytics-ready data. Paired with Azure IoT Operations, a unified, adaptive cloud solution built on open standards and powered by Azure Arc, manufacturers gain seamless connectivity across the factory floor enabling edge to cloud orchestration. With support for protocols like OPC UA and MQTT, camera and third-party integration through Akri and WASM connectors, and Copilot-driven automation for observability and deployment, this partnership bridges OT and IT to unlock advanced analytics, AI-driven optimization, and predictive maintenance at scale. A Partnership That Delivers Scalable Innovation Customers can start utilizing FactoryTalk Optix with Azure IoT Operations as a scalable physical to digital foundation for transforming how they manufacture, design, and operate going forward. In partnership with Rockwell, there is a published GitHub sample that demonstrates how FactoryTalk Optix native IIoT connectivity protocols unlock contextualized data from industrial assets into Azure IoT Operations. With the 2510 Azure IoT Operations release , OPC Write capability is now available as well, creating a true read/write path for richer interoperability. The synergy between these technologies is a game-changer for manufacturers, unlocking advanced analytics, and AI-driven use cases. This collaboration delivers: Improved efficiency and reduced downtime through real-time connectivity and predictive maintenance Scalable edge-to-cloud architecture leveraging OPC UA and MQTT standards for unified OT/IT data Highly replicable, scalable deployments across hybrid and multicloud environments Proactive optimization with AI-driven design and analytics Democratized automation via Copilot capabilities for observability and deployment Unified IT management and centralized monitoring for streamlined operations Robust security and reduced integration complexity for faster time-to-value From the Shop Floor to the Boardroom By combining Rockwell’s industrial expertise with Microsoft’s cloud innovation, manufacturers can break down data silos, unify operations, and drive continuous optimization. AI-powered insights become accessible at every level, helping organizations anticipate change, improve safety and efficiency, and maintain a competitive edge in the digital era. Join Us at Rockwell Automation Fair Visit the Microsoft booth at Automation Fair to experience end-to-end demonstrations, explore customer stories, and see firsthand how the Rockwell–Microsoft ecosystem accelerates your digital transformation journey. Join live sessions at the Discovery Theatre – o Tuesday Nov 18th, 11:15am – 11:45am → The new industrial frontier - Using AI to scale faster, work smarter and unlock new value o Tuesday Nov 18 th 2pm – 3pm, and Thursday Nov 20 th at 10:00am – 11:00am → Bringing AI to the Factory Floor o Wednesday Nov 19 th , 1:45pm – 2:15pm → Start with Secure Solutions From Edge to Cloud Visit us at the Expo at Booth #1931 – For demos and conversations to see what we have to offer. Explore the products Learn more about Azure IoT Operations → https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products/iot-operations Explore FactoryTalk Optix → https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/products/software/factorytalk/optix.html Hear more about our integration story at Microsoft Ignite → The new industrial frontierSiemens and Microsoft: Beyond Connectivity to Autonomous, Sustainable Manufacturing
Explore how Siemens Industrial Edge and Microsoft Azure IoT Operations enable secure edge-to-cloud integration, contextualized data, and AI-driven insights—transforming factories into adaptive, future-ready operations.Microsoft Industrial AI Partner Guide: Choosing the Right Data Expertise for Every Stage
As organizations scale Industrial AI, the challenge shifts from technology selection to deciding who should lead which part of the journey -- and when. Which partners should establish secure connectivity? Who enables production grade, AI ready industrial data? When do systems integrators step in to scale globally? This Partner Guide helps customers navigate these decisions with clarity and confidence: Identify which partners align to their current digital transformation and Industrial AI scenarios leveraging Azure IoT and Azure IoT Operations Confidently combine partners over time as they evolve from connectivity to intelligence to autonomous operations This guide focuses on the Industrial AI data plane – the partners and capabilities that extract, contextualize, and operationalize industrial data so it can reliably power AI at scale. It does not attempt to catalog or prescribe end‑to‑end Industrial AI applications or cloud‑hosted AI solutions. Instead, it helps customers understand how industrial partners create the trusted, contextualized data foundation upon which AI solutions can be built. Common Customer Journey Steps 1. Modernize Connectivity & Edge Foundations The industrial transformation journey starts with securely accessing operational data without touching deterministic control loops. Customers connect automation systems to a scalable, standards-based data foundation that modernizes operations while preserving safety, uptime and control. Outcomes customers realize Standardized OT data access across plants and sites Faster onboarding of legacy and new assets Clear OT–IT boundaries that protect safety and uptime Partner strengths at this stage Industrial hardware and edge infrastructure providers Protocol translation and OT connectivity Automation and edge platforms aligned with Azure IoT Operations 2. Accelerate Insights with Industrial AI With a consistent edge-to-cloud data plane in place, customers move beyond dashboards to repeatable, production-grade Industrial AI use cases. Customers rely on expert partners to turn standardized operational data into AI‑ready signals that can be consumed by analytics and AI solutions at scale across assets, lines, and sites. Outcomes customers realize Improved Operational efficiency and performance Adaptive facilities and production quality intelligence Energy, safety, and defect detection at scale Partner strengths at this stage Industrial data services that contextualize and standardize OT signals for AI consumption Domain-specific acceleration for common Industrial AI scenarios Data pipelines integrated with Azure IoT Operations and Microsoft Fabric 3. Prepare for Autonomous Operations As organizations advance toward closed‑loop optimization, the focus shifts to safe, scalable autonomy. Customers depend on partners to align data, infrastructure, and operational interfaces, while ensuring ongoing monitoring, governance, and lifecycle management across the full operational estate. Outcomes customers realize Proven reference architectures deployed across plants AI‑ready data foundations that adapt as operations scale Coordinated interaction between OT systems, AI models, and cloud intelligence Partner strengths at this stage Industrial automation leadership and control system expertise Edge infrastructure optimized and ready for Industrial AI scale Systems integrators enabling end‑to‑end implementation and repeatability Data Intelligence Plane of Industrial AI - Partner Matrix This matrix highlights which partners have the deepest expertise in accessing, contextualizing, and operationalizing industrial data so it can reliably power AI at scale. The matrix is not a catalog of end‑to‑end Industrial AI applications; it shows how specialized partners contribute data, infrastructure, and integration capabilities on a shared Azure foundation as organizations progress from connectivity to insight to autonomous operations. How to use this matrix: Start with your scenario → identify primary partner types → layer complementary partners as you scale. Partner Type Adaptive Cloud Primary Solution Example Scenarios Geography Advantech Industrial Hardware, Industrial Connectivity LoRaWAN gateway integration + Azure IoT Operations Industrial edge platforms with built in connectivity, industrial compute, LoRaWAN, sensor networks Global Accenture GSI Industrial AI, Digital Transformation, Modernization OEE, predictive maintenance, real-time defect detection, optimize supply chains, intelligent automation and robotics, energy efficiency Global Avanade GSI Factory Agents and Analytics based on Manufacturing Data Solutions Yield / Quality optimization, OEE, Agentic Root Cause Analysis and process optimization; Unified ISA-95 Manufacturing Data estate on MS Fabric Global Capgemini GSI The new AI imperative in manufacturing OEE, maintenance, defect detection, energy, robotics Global DXC GSI Intelligent Boost AI and IoT Analytics Platform 5G Industrial Connectivity, Defect detection, OEE, safety, energy monitoring Global Innominds SI Intelligent Connected Edge Platform Predictive maintenance, AI on edge, asset tracking North America, EMEA Litmus Automation Industrial Connectivity, Industrial Data Ops Litmus Edge + Azure IoT Operations Edge Data, Smart manufacturing, IIoT deployments at scale Global, North America Mesh Systems GSI & ISV Azure IoT & Azure IoT Operations implementation services and solutions (including Azure IoT Operations-aligned connector patterns) Device connectivity and management, data platforms, visualization, AI agents, and security North America, EMEA Nortal GSI Data-driven Industry Solutions IT/OT Connectivity, Unified Namespace, Digital Twins, Optimization, Edge, Industrial Data, Real‑Time Analytics & AI EMEA, North America & LATAM NVIDIA Technology Partner Accelerated AI Infrastructure; Open libraries, models, frameworks, and blueprints for AI development and deployment. Cross industry digitalization and AI development and deployment: Generative AI, Agentic AI, Physical AI, Robotics Global Oracle ISV Oracle Fusion Cloud SCM + Azure IoT Operations Real-time manufacturing Intelligence, AI powered insights, and automated production workflows Global Rockwell Automation Industrial Automation FactoryTalk Optix + Azure IoT Operations Factory modernization, visualization, edge orchestration, DataOps with connectivity context at scale, AI ops and services, physical equipment, MES Global Schneider Electric Industrial Automation Industrial Edge Physical equipment, Device modernization, energy, grid Global Siemens Industrial Automation & Software Industrial Edge + Azure IoT Operations reference architecture Industrial edge infrastructure at scale, OT/IT convergence, DataOps, Industrial AI suite, virtualized automation. Global Sight Machine ISV Integrated Industrial AI Stack Industrial AI, bottling, process optimization Global Softing Industrial Industrial Connectivity edgeConnector + Azure IoT Operations OT connectivity, multi-vendor PLC- and machine data integration, OPC UA information model deployment EMEA, Global TCS GSI Sensor to cloud intelligence Operations optimization, healthcare digital twin experiences, supply chain monitoring Global This Ecosystem Model enables Industrial AI solutions to scale through clear roles, respected boundaries and composable systems: Control systems continue to be driven by automation leaders Safety‑critical, deterministic control stays with industrial automation partners who manage real‑time operations and plant safety. Customers modernize analytics and AI while preserving uptime, reliability, and operational integrity. Data, AI, and analytics scale independently A consistent edge to cloud data plane supports cloud scale analytics and AI, accelerating insight delivery without entangling control systems or slowing operational change. This separation allows customers and software providers to build AI solutions on top of a stable, industrial‑grade data foundation without redefining control system responsibilities. Specialized partners align solutions across the estate Partners contribute focused expertise across connectivity, analytics, security, and operations, assembling solutions that reduce integration risk, shorten deployment cycles, and speed time to value across the operational estate. From vision to production Industrial AI at scale depends on turning operational data into trusted, contextualized intelligence safely, repeatably, and across the enterprise. This guide shows how industrial partners, aligned on a shared Azure foundation, create the data plane that enables AI solutions to succeed in production. When data is ready, intelligence scales. Call to action: Use this guide to identify the partners and capabilities that best align to your current Industrial AI needs and take the next step toward production‑ready outcomes on Azure.
