在保留PLC功能的前提下，采用面向现场总线网络的体系结构，采用开放的通信接口，如以太网、高速串口等。
采用各种相关的国际工业标准和一系列的事实上的标准。
值得注意的是PLC和DCS这些原来处于不同硬件平台的系统，正随着计算技术、通信技术和编程技术的发展，趋向于建立同一硬件平台，运用同一个操作系统、同一个编程系统，执行不同的DCS和PLC功能。这就是真正意义上的EIC三电一体化。或者说DCS和PLC的形态将会变化，而它们的功能依然存在。其中的关键技术应该是嵌入式PC系统及支持现场总线的I/O（硬件），以及以IEC 61161-3为基础的编程系统及强实时(hard real-time)操作系统。
PLC在中国的发展
在中国，大约从1974、75年在北京和上海开始开发采用位片式微处理芯片的可编程顺序控制器，并有所应用。但一直未能形成批量生产。在改革开放刚起步的1979年，在当时的机械部仪表局的推动下，开始从美国MODICON引进起584的PLC，并首先在电站的辅机如输煤、除灰除渣、水处理系统以及水泥厂等控制系统中成功应用，从而大大推动了PLC在我国工业的大规模运用。遗憾的是，花了很大一笔外汇的这个项目并不曾形成良的有后续的发展。
自1985年开始，小型PLC首先是三菱电机公司的MELSEC-F，通过非渠道进入中国市场。不到三、四年时间，小型PLC就形成了大面积的推广应用局面。1990年以后，Siemens、Allen Bradley以及其它品牌开始大举进入中国市场，占据中、大型的PLC的较大份额
由上简要回顾可知，PLC在中国已经形成了规模巨大的应用市场，但并未建立批量生产、有持续开发发展能力的PLC制造业。
应指出的是：
Allen Bradley 1771-PA Bulletin 1771 Power Supply
Allen Bradley 1771-PDC PID Loop Module
Allen Bradley 1771-SDN Allen Bradley Device Net Scanner Module
Allen Bradley 1771-VHSC A Allen Bradley Very High Speed Counter
Allen Bradley 1771-WA Swing Arm PLC2/5 Plant Side Connector
Allen Bradley 1771A4B 16 Slot I/O Chassie Part No 966-494-01
Allen Bradley 1771HD Allen Bradley Pendant
Allen Bradley 1772-LE Processor Control Module
Allen Bradley 1772-LH Processor Interface Module
Allen Bradley 1772-LN3 PLC 2 Mini Processor
Allen Bradley 1772-LP3 Allen Bradley PLC-2/30 Pragrammable Controller
Allen Bradley 1772-LV Allen Bradley PLC2 Mini Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1772-LW Allen Bradley Mini-PLC2/17 Processor
Allen Bradley 1772-LXP Allen Bradley PLC-2 Processor With Power Supply
Allen Bradley 1772-LZP Allen Bradley MiniPLC2/02 Processor & Power Supply
Allen Bradley 1772-MEB Allen Bradley RAM Memory Module
Allen Bradley 1772-MG Memory Module
Allen Bradley 1772-MR Memory Segment (RAM)
Allen Bradley 1772-MS8 Memory Segment (8192 Word Ram)
Allen Bradley 1772MS2048 PLC RAM Card
Allen Bradley 1774-LC2 Allen Bradley PLC Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1774-RP3 Allen Bradley PLC
Allen Bradley 1777-1A AC Input Module
Allen Bradley 1777-AL I/O Adaptor Module
Allen Bradley 1777-OA AC Output Module
Allen Bradley 1778-OAC Allen Bradley 16 Channel Output Module
Allen Bradley 1784-PCM5 PCM Communications Lead
Allen Bradley 1784-PCMK PCMK/B Communications Card
Allen Bradley 1784-PKTX/A Allen Bradley PLC Comms Card
Allen Bradley 1784-T30C Allen Bradley TC30C Operator Interface
Allen Bradley 1784-T30GR Allen Bradley Operator Interface
Allen Bradley 1784-T50B Allen Bradley Programme Terminal
Allen Bradley 1785-ENETB Allen Bradley PLC-5 Ethernet Module
Allen Bradley 1785-KA Data Highway/Data Highway Plus Comms Adaptor
Allen Bradley 1785-KA5B Allen Bradley DH+/DH485 Gateway
Allen Bradley 1785-KA5PB DH+/DH485 Communications Adaptor
Allen Bradley 1785-L11B PLC-5/11 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L20B Allen Bradley 5/20 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L30B Allen Bradley 5/30 Processsor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L40B PLC5/40 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L40C15/F 5/40 Controlnet Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L40E PLC5/40 Ethernet Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L40E/E PLC5/40 Ethernet Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L60B Allen Bradley PLC-5/60 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-L80C15/E Allen Bradley PLC5/80 Controlnet Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-LT Allen Bradley PLC5/15 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-LT2 PLC-5/25 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-LT3 Allen Bradley PLC5/12 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1785-LT4 Allen Bradley PLC-5/10 Processor Module
Allen Bradley 1793-IE2X0E1 Allen Bradley Analogue Module
Allen Bradley 1793-IE2X0E2 Allen Bradley Analogue Module
Allen Bradley 1794-0A16 Allen Bradley 120V AC 16 way Output Module
Allen Bradley 1794-IE4X0E2 Allen Bradley I/O Mddule
Allen Bradley 2092-DA3 Allen Bradley 3.3 Amp Ultra 1500 Inverter
Allen Bradley 2094-BM0 Kinetix 6000 Bulletin 2094 9A Axis Module
Allen Bradley 2098-DSD-005-SE Allen Bradley Ultra3000
Allen Bradley 2098-DSD-010-SE Allen Bradley Ultra 3000 Servo Drive
Allen Bradley 2098-DSD-010X Allen Bradley Ultra3000i Servo Drive
Allen Bradley 2098-DSD-030-SE Allen Bradley Ultra 3000 Servo Drive
Allen Bradley 2098-IPD-010-DN Allen Bradley Ultra5000 AC Drive
Allen Bradley 20AC011A0 Allen Bradley 5.5Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20AC022A0AYNANNN Allen Bradley Powerflex 11Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20AC030A0A Allen Bradley Powerflex 70 Inverter
Allen Bradley 20AC5P0A0AYANANN Allen Bradley Powerflex 2Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20AC5P0A1AYYANN Allen Bradley Powerflex 70 2Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20AD1P1A0 AYNNNNN PowerFlex 70 0.37Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20BC015A0AYNANA0 Allen Bradley 7.5Kw PowerFlex 700 Inverter
Allen Bradley 20BC030A0AYNANAO Allen Bradley PowerFlex 700 15Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 20BC043A0AYNNANAO Allen Bradley 22Kw PowerFlex 700 Inverter
Allen Bradley 20BC056AOYNANCO Allen Bradley PowerFlex 700 30Kw Inverter
Allen Bradley 22B-A5PON114 0.75KW Power Flex 40
Allen Bradley 22B-D2P3N104 Allen Bradley 0.75Kw PowerFlex 40 Inverter
Allen Bradley 2705-K11C2 Allen Bradley RediPanel Operator Interface
Allen Bradley 2705-P11J1 Allen Bradley Bulletin 2705 Push Button Module
Allen Bradley 2705-P21J1 Allen Bradley Lighted Push Button Module
Allen Bradley 2705-P21J1X Allen Bradley RediPANEL
Allen Bradley 2706-B23J31 Allen Bradley Dataliner Unit
Allen Bradley 2706-D21J2 Allen Bradley Dataliner Display Unit
Allen Bradley 2706-E43J32B1 Allen Bradley Display
Allen Bradley 2706-E43J64B1 Allen Bradley Dataliner Display
Allen Bradley 2707-L40P2 Allen Bradley DTAM Plus Unit
