One of the most popular topics of discussion at the 2025 Ovation Users’ Group Conference has been the new Ovation™ Automation Platform 4.0. Attendees have had the opportunity to take a close look at the software to see all the new capabilities and features built in. Whether it is experiencing the first GenAI advisor integrated into an automation system specifically designed for the power and water industries, or seeing the newest human machine interface (HMI) components in action, excitement has been high.
In one heavily attended session at the conference, Emerson’s Steven Hutchison offered a deep dive into some of the newest features in Ovation 4.0 software.
“We look at Ovation 4.0 as being an onramp to the future, with new future-proof features and ideal timing with new OS versions.”
Core changes
Ovation 4.0 changes its core database from Oracle to Microsoft SQL Server. The software change allows for easier patching and coordinated support from a single vendor, while providing equivalent performance and consistent Ovation applications and support scripts.
The new software also supports significantly more points—now capped at 750,000— meaning even the largest systems will not need to be split between multiple controllers.
Ovation View HMI
One of the features attendees have been most excited about is the new Ovation View HMI. Ovation 4.0’s new graphical interface provides support for HTML5 web applications, while also supporting any graphic style—3D graphics, dashboards, high-performance graphics, etc.
In addition, Ovation View HMI offers a wide array of out-of-the-box tools to make graphic design easier. The software provides a rich library of graphics and widgets (2D and 3D models, charts, and KPIs) as well as built-in productivity tools such as search and backup features.
“This tool has a very simple concept. You take things out of the toolbox, you drop them on the canvas, and you edit them in the properties. It’s easy. You can jump right into this pond.”
Steven also shared that Ovation users can use Ovation View HMI graphics, legacy graphics, or both in tandem, making it easy to transition gradually to help operators adjust more smoothly.
“You can keep using your legacy graphics alongside the new ones. Your existing stuff will just work.”
Ovation Developer Studio
Steven also shared some of the new features in the Ovation Developer Studio engineering tools designed to improve ease of use and streamline workflows. In Ovation 4.0, Smart Device Net and Profibus catalog refresh as soon as Developer Studio is opened. In addition, the “find” feature executes “Find Now” automatically when initiated from the toolbar edit box.
“If you take it from the main dialog box, it’ll just do it for you.”
The Developer Studio search feature has also been updated with a new delete checkbox column. An edit search button is also available, and users can now save modified searches under a different name using the “Save As” feature.
“Searches get complex, and everyone has special ones they like. You can now edit and save a search. When you save a search, it will save the criteria and the columns.”
Trend enhancements
Users will also see improvements in the trend tab, where they can now define custom timespans for live trends by specifying the interval between samples. Unique configurations are saved to specific users, but they are made available across all Ovation workstations to provide users with more mobility.
Ovation 4.0 is set to be a game changer for the power and water industries. One of the key benefits of attending the Ovation Users’ Group Conference is that after hearing about the many new features of Ovation Automation Platform 4.0, users can go right to the exhibit hall to see them in action and try new features out for themselves. Be sure to join us next year to be among the first to experience the newest updates in control for yourself!
