The new Mitsubishi Electric’s GENESIS version 11: Future-ready manufacturing with strong focus on ROI

Exploring GENESIS version 11 capabilities with Christian Nomine
Question: Christian, what key innovations does GENESIS version 11 bring to industrial automation?
Christian Nomine: GENESIS version 11 delivers three tangible improvements: unlimited tag licensing that eliminates cost barriers to scaling, a built-in industrial historian that replaces third-party data loggers, and 3D visualization with web-based monitoring capabilities. These allow manufacturers to expand their systems without additional fees, consolidate their data infrastructure, and troubleshoot issues faster through enhanced remote visibility."

Question: One significant change in GENESIS version 11 is the unlimited licensing model. How does this affect companies' approach to automation?
C.N: Removing restrictions on tags and client connections changes how automation projects are planned. Companies no longer need to account for additional licensing fees when scaling their systems, allowing them to focus on development and innovation. This makes the platform more accessible and cost-effective, particularly for companies beginning their digital transformation. It has a significant impact on project planning and long-term cost management.

Question: Integration is often challenging. How does GENESIS version 11 help companies connect modern technologies with their existing systems?
C.N: GENESIS version 11, built on .NET 8 architecture, integrates with Mitsubishi Electric automation products while supporting third-party systems through standard protocols like OPC UA and MQTT. The integration process has been simplified – engineers can connect to various systems with minimal configuration. Additionally, cybersecurity features and redundancy models ensure these integrations remain secure and reliable.
I recently spoke with David Bean, our UK expert, who emphasised the importance of these features for British infrastructure sectors such as transport and water utilities. In the UK, as in EU countries, compliance with the NIS2 directive is mandatory for critical infrastructure, and our platform's security features support our customers meeting these requirements.

Question: Time to market is important in today's dynamic manufacturing environment. How does GENESIS version 11 reduce implementation time?
C.N: We've concentrated on streamlining the project development and deployment process. With automated configuration tools, ready-made templates and no-code deployment options, we can reduce implementation time from weeks to days. This efficiency translates to faster returns on investment. In Poland, Michał Cydzik, our Product Manager for Control Systems in the CEE region, has observed a significant reduction in typical project implementation costs, making advanced automation accessible to a broader range of businesses.

Question: How does this solution help companies achieve their sustainability goals?
C.N: GENESIS version 11 offers real-time monitoring and business intelligence tools to better understand and optimise energy use and minimise waste. It helps companies implement energy-saving measures and track and report their carbon footprint reduction progress. GENESIS version 11 in combination with our added-value EcoAdviser solution and its predictive maintenance capabilities, significant reductions in energy consumption and emissions can be achieved, aligning with global sustainability targets.

Question: How does GENESIS version 11 handle the increasing amounts of data generated by modern manufacturing processes?
C.N.: GENESIS version 11 is designed to efficiently manage large data volumes through its built-in industrial historian. This integrated solution eliminates the need for external loggers and complex scripting, keeping all critical data within a single platform.
The key advantage is transforming raw data into practical information. The historian doesn't just collect data – it makes it immediately useful for decision-making. Companies use these capabilities to implement predictive maintenance programmes, optimise production schedules and improve quality control.

Question: Could you provide specific examples of this platform's applications?
C.N: GENESIS version 11 has been applied in wastewater treatment plants, data centres and process industries. In wastewater treatment plants, its distributed architecture with redundant servers ensures continuous data collection and control – critical for essential infrastructure. In data centres, the platform handles numerous PLCs and device connections, enabling efficient monitoring and management.
System integrators can now offer "Maintenance as a Service" using GENESIS in the cloud, allowing them to provide comprehensive monitoring and reporting services, creating new revenue streams and adding significant value.

Question: Looking ahead, what do you see as the biggest challenges and opportunities for the industry regarding automation, and how does GENESIS version 11 address these?
C.N: Manufacturers face two specific technical challenges: the high cost of expanding tag-based licensing and vulnerability to cyber threats. GENESIS Version 11 directly addresses these with its unlimited licensing model that eliminates per-tag fees, and better security through encrypted communications and role-based access control integrated with Microsoft Active Directory. These improvements allow companies to scale from small applications to enterprise-wide deployments without budget constraints, while meeting today's cybersecurity standards.