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From PLC to Cloud: How Acuity Connect Speeds Up Commissioning and Reduces Cost

  • Writer: Colin Bunyard
    Colin Bunyard
  • Jan 23
  • 2 min read

Every system integrator knows the pressure: deliver projects on time, within budget, and without cutting corners. But in the world of water and wastewater, where decades-old PLCs must coexist with modern automation, projects often stall under the weight of custom integrations, protocol mismatches, and endless troubleshooting.


That’s where Acuity Connect changes the game. Instead of wrestling with legacy systems, integrators can move data securely from PLC to cloud — streamlining commissioning, reducing cost, and creating long-term value for clients.


1 Diagram of data pathway from field assets being brokered, contextualized, and modeled through Acuity Connect for use by O&M Professionals through the Acuity Hub - Industrial Operations Management Platform.
1 Diagram of data pathway from field assets being brokered, contextualized, and modeled through Acuity Connect for use by O&M Professionals through the Acuity Hub - Industrial Operations Management Platform.


The Challenge: Slow, Costly Integrations


  • Complex protocols: Legacy PLCs speak dozens of “languages” that don’t always align with modern IT systems.

  • Custom coding: Each integration requires unique scripts, eating into margin and timelines.

  • Downtime risks: Lengthy commissioning delays put customer operations at risk.

  • Limited scalability: Adding sites or new devices often means starting over.


These pain points lead to frustrated clients, squeezed budgets, and fewer opportunities to take on new projects.



The Solution: Rapid Edge-to-Cloud IntegrationAcuity Connect is designed to simplify integration for system integrators:


  • Protocol translation built in — connect PLCs, servers, and external data sources without rewriting code.

  • Plug-and-play onboarding that reduces setup time from weeks to days.

  • Secure outbound-only connections that satisfy IT teams without requiring VPNs.

  • Unified namespace that creates a common data layer for all connected devices.


For integrators, this means faster project delivery, fewer late nights writing custom middleware, and the ability to scale services across multiple clients.



Benefits for System Integrators


  1. Accelerated Commissioning

    • Projects move from design to live deployment faster, freeing resources for more work.

  2. Reduced Costs

    • Less custom coding and fewer on-site hours keep projects profitable.

  3. Recurring Revenue Opportunities

    • Cloud connectivity enables integrators to offer ongoing monitoring and service packages.

  4. Customer Satisfaction

    • Clients gain modern functionality without the sticker shock of full SCADA replacements.



Case Example: Cutting Commissioning Time in Half


A system integrator in the Midwest faced a project involving three treatment plants, each with different generations of Allen-Bradley PLCs. Historically, the team would have spent weeks building custom integrations. Instead, by deploying Acuity Connect, they onboarded devices in days, unified data into Acuity Hub, and gave operators a single, secure dashboard.


The result: commissioning time was cut in half, costs stayed under budget, and the SI built an ongoing managed services relationship with the client.



Conclusion: A Smarter Path Forward


For integrators, the future isn’t about fighting legacy systems — it’s about bridging them to the cloud quickly, securely, and cost-effectively. Acuity Connect delivers exactly that: faster commissioning, lower costs, and new opportunities to grow business beyond one-time projects.


👉 Want to deliver projects faster and unlock new revenue streams? Explore the XiO Partner Program and see how Acuity Connect gives system integrators a competitive edge.

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