
Software Defined Control: Where Intelligence Drives Automation
Emerson is embracing a software defined architecture to unlock smarter, faster, and more adaptive automation. By eliminating the hardware constraints of traditional automation systems, Software Defined Control simplifies project execution, reduces costs, and enhances operational efficiency. The combination of proven DeltaV control software and server-based compute platforms delivers a unique solution that offers greater flexibility, seamless scalability, enhanced resiliency, and extensible operations.
Flexible
Easily scale to meet future needs.
Extensible
Add or upgrade components with no interruptions.
Resilient
Greater uptime with increased fault tolerance.
Take Advantage of the Most Flexible Automation Architecture DeltaV has Ever Delivered
Introducing the DeltaV IQ Controller – the next evolution in process control technology. Designed to augment highly engineered, built-for-purpose industrial controllers, the IQ Controller brings greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency to modern control systems.
By deploying control workloads within a server-based environment, the IQ Controller simplifies engineering, maintenance, and upgrades while significantly reducing footprint and increasing scalability.
With more control capacity than a traditional DeltaV controller, a single pair of servers can handle the control requirements of most large-scale facilities, transforming industrial automation like never before.
Smarter, Scalable, and More Powerful Control
The DeltaV IQ Controller leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver unmatched control performance for all types and sizes of applications. By abstracting proven DeltaV control software from the traditional controller hardware platform, the IQ Controller provides a flexible system that minimizes the hardware requirements and footprint by allowing users to load multiple controllers on a single host.
Run multiple IQ Controller instances on one pair of hosts. This streamlined platform minimizes power consumption, wiring, and cabinet requirements.
Increase or decrease the number of controller instances used according to demand. With flexible licensing, you only pay for the controllers you need—when you need them.
The DeltaV IQ Controller minimizes initial expenses by reducing the need for cabinets and controller wiring. Its easy scalability lowers the cost of late-stage changes, while subscription licensing helps reduce capital expenditures.
The DeltaV IQ Controller supports 1:1 redundancy on separate independent hosts for increased availability.
How It Works

How it Works: DeltaV™ IQ Controller
Introducing Emerson's DeltaV IQ Controller – the next evolution in process control technology. Designed to augment highly engineered, built-for-purpose industrial controllers, the IQ Controller brings greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency to modern control systems.
Leading the Shift to Software-Defined Automation
Explore the transformative impact Emerson is making with DeltaV software-defined control, helping organizations helping organizations adapt faster, scale more efficiently, and prepare for the future.
Reinventing process control for an AI-driven future
As AI, machine learning, and advanced control strategies become essential to modern operations, software-defined controllers are giving manufacturers the power, flexibility, and scalability needed to deploy intelligent automation across their operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The DeltaV IQ Controller separates control software from dedicated controller hardware and runs it on virtualized computing infrastructure. This software-defined approach preserves the performance required for industrial automation while giving organizations greater flexibility to deploy, manage, and scale control strategies while supporting modernization initiatives and evolving plant requirements.
The DeltaV IQ Controller runs multiple control instances in a software-defined environment, allowing plants to reduce the amount of dedicated controller hardware required. By consolidating control functions onto server-based infrastructure, organizations can simplify system architecture, reduce physical footprint (e.g., controller cabinets), and lower lifecycle maintenance requirements.
The DeltaV IQ Controller helps facilities modernize their automation infrastructure by supporting virtualized control environments, reducing hardware dependencies, and simplifying future expansions. Organizations can improve resource utilization, streamline system management, and create a more agile DCS architecture.
The DeltaV IQ Controller enables multiple controller instances to operate on shared server infrastructure, making it easier to expand control capacity as operational needs change. This allows facilities to scale control systems without significant hardware additions, supporting long-term growth and digital transformation strategies.
The DeltaV IQ Controller supports 1:1 redundancy across separate, independent, stand-alone hosts to increase system availability. By distributing controller instances across redundant server infrastructure, which does not need to be colocated, facilities can improve fault tolerance and maintain reliable control operations.
The DeltaV IQ Controller helps reduce deployment and startup costs by minimizing dedicated hardware requirements while using flexible term-based licensing to align controller capacity with operational demand. This approach simplifies deployment, supports scalability, and helps avoid unnecessary upfront hardware investments.
The DeltaV IQ Controller integrates into the existing DeltaV architecture and uses the same engineering and operations tools as traditional DeltaV controllers. Organizations can deploy IQ Controllers alongside existing physical controllers, enabling a phased adoption strategy without requiring a complete system redesign.