PROFINET offers a distributed I/O capability that is similar to PROFIBUS but it includes more flexibity, more power, more opportunities and hence far greater automation potential.

PROFINET’s basic communications services support three modes of operation, each aimed at different automation sectors.  They can be used independently, or in combination, one of the factors making PROFINET so modular and flexible and ideal for all aspects of factory automation.

PROFINET fully supports TCP/IP communications while delivering a scalable real time solution. This ability to fully support all required applications areas - the ability to 'talk' across networks and upwards into IT, plus the real time functionality needed for factory floor automation and motion control - ensures that PROFINET can meet all the needs of manufacturing, enterprise-wide.

Reasons for choosing PROFINET

• All the reasons for choosing PROFIBUS, plus …
• Seamless enterprise-wide integration, global accessibility.
• Unlimited node count, powerful capabilities, greater scalability.
• Full TCP/IP, internet and web compatibility, with real-time determinism
• Ethernet cabling eases installation, and familiar IT and Internet tools help during operation, maintenance and diagnostics.
• Wireless and functional safety easily added.
• Protects investments in plant and people by easily integrating all popular automation networks.
• Strategic links with PROFIBUS include common infrastructure, common engineering platforms, common quality assurance and common application profiles.
• Modular, flexible, comprehensive – use only what you need now.
• Easily extended and expanded as enterprise needs change.