PI Technology Access: Building Technology Together
Full access to all PI technologies, developement resources, and services from the PNO - fairly and jointly funded by everyone who uses them:
PI Technology Access provides international members with full access to all PI technologies, development output, and service offerings from the PNO.
It ensures the fair, joint international funding of central technology development, thereby strengthening PI's global innovation capability.
"Those who actively use PI technologies contribute to their further development."
Explore the tabs above to learn what's included, why the PTA was introduced, and how much it costs.
Please note that a RPA membership is required to obtain the PI Technology Access.
Each PI member company contributes to its local RPA, and that will not change. PI Technology Access adds a separate contribution that goes directly to the PNO in exchange for full access to PI's software, tools, testing tools, and technical services.
Currently, German PNO member companies largely fund PI's core technology development, even though the technology is used internationally. PTA closes this gap by ensuring that all international members who benefit from PI technologies contribute to their development.
The principle is simple: anyone who actively uses PI technologies contributes to their further development, which is the same standard that already applies to PNO member companies.
Important reassurance: Local RPA membership remains unchanged. PTA is an additional contribution for technology access only; it does not replace or change RPA membership.
Want to know what's actually included? Head over to the "What's Included" page for a full breakdown of the included tools, software, and services.
Software, tools, and test tools
1. Marketing and End-User Tools:
- SRCI Value Map
- Product Finder
- IODD Finder
- IODD Viewer
2. Technology Tools:
- PB GSD Editor
- PN GSD Editor
- GSDML Upgrade Tool
- FDI Tools & Components
- PN Community Stack
- PROFIdrive Community Stack
- PN Test Bundle
- PROFIdrive Profile Tester
- PN Tester Source Code
- F-Host Tester
- IODD Finder
- IODD Checker
- IOL JSON Tester
- SRCI Test Software
- SRCI SDK
PI Technology Access is billed annually based on company size (number of employees). The table below shows the PTA fee for international members.
| Employees | PTA Fee |
|---|---|
| >10,000 | €15,000 |
| 3,000 - 10,000 | €10,000 |
| 1,000 - 3,000 | €6,000 |
| 500 - 1,000 | €3,000 |
| 301 - 500 | €2,000 |
| 201 - 300 | €1,250 |
| 101 - 200 | €1,000 |
| 51 - 100 | €750 |
| 31 - 50 | €500 |
| 1 - 30 | €300 |
Please note that the PTA fee is in addition to the local RPA fee. A local RPA membership is required to obtain the PI technology access.
FAQ
What happens to my existing RPA membership?
Nothing changes. Your local RPA membership remains the same — same benefits, same fees, same relationship. PI Technology Access is an additional contribution for access to PI's technology development. It is not a replacement for RPA membership.
Is PTA mandatory?
PTA will become mandatory for international member companies that want full access to PI's software, tools, testing tools, and technical services. Companies that do not sign up for PTA will retain their existing RPA membership but will not have access to the aforementioned technology resources.
Why is PTA being introduced now?
Historically, PI's core technology development has been largely funded by German PNO member companies, even though the technology is used internationally. The PTA closes this gap by ensuring that all international members who benefit from PI technologies contribute to their ongoing development, creating a fairer, more sustainable funding model for the entire PI community.
How is PTA different from my local RPA membership?
Your RPA membership includes local community, informational, event, and marketing support. The PTA, on the other hand, provides direct access to PI's technology development at the PNO level, including software, tools, test tools, and technical services. The two organizations run in parallel and cover different things.
How much does PTA cost, and how is it billed?
PI Technology Access is billed annually and is based on company size, or the number of employees.
| Employees | PTA Fee |
|---|---|
| >10,000 | €15,000 |
| 3,000 - 10,000 | €10,000 |
| 1,000 - 3,000 | €6,000 |
| 500 - 1,000 | €3,000 |
| 301 - 500 | €2,000 |
| 201 - 300 | €1,250 |
| 101 - 200 | €1,000 |
| 51 - 100 | €750 |
| 31 - 50 | €500 |
| 1 - 30 | €300 |
Please note that the PTA fee is in addition to the local RPA fee. A local RPA membership is required to obtain the PI technology access.
Who needs to sign up for PTA: all companies or certain types of members (e.g., device manufacturer, distributor, user)?
Any PI member company that wants access to PI's technology resources, including software, tools, test tools, and technical services, needs to sign up for PTA, regardless of membership type (device manufacturer, distributor, or user). Membership type does not determine eligibility. What matters is your desire to access PI's technology resources.
When does PTA take effect?
The PI Technology Access takes effect on January 1, 2027.
What happens if I don't sign up for PTA?
Your RPA membership remains unaffected. However, without PTA membership, you will not have access to PTA's technology resources, including software, tools, test tools, and technical services, which will be exclusively available to PTA members going forward.
Who should I contact with questions?
Contact Maria Müller at mm@profibus.com with any questions about PI Technology Access. She's happy to help!
Are you ready to get started, or do you still have questions? Reach out to Maria Müller directly at mm(at)profibus(dot)com. She's happy to help with anything related to PI Technology Access.
Request PI Technology Access
What happens after you request access:
- Submit your request via the form above.
- The PNO team will review your request and confirm your PI Technology Access.
- Onboarding: You will receive access details for the tools, software, and services included in PTA.
PI Technology Access takes effect on January 1, 2027.
Have questions before signing up? Check the FAQ tab above or contact Maria Müller directly.
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