As industries evolve, businesses are increasingly recognizing that legacy systems, while reliable in the past, can become barriers to flexibility, scalability, and operational efficiency. AVEVA PI Asset Framework (AF) is one such tool—widely used but also limited by its proprietary structure and cost-heavy model. Companies today need a more modern, open, and cost-effective alternative that enables agility without sacrificing performance.

Flow Software offers that alternative by delivering all the core functionalities of PI AF—along with additional benefits that drive operational excellence and efficiency across the enterprise. Here’s how Flow Software not only matches but enhances the capabilities of PI AF, and why it’s time to transition to a future-ready solution.

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The Key Benefits of Moving to Flow Software

1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

One of the primary challenges with AVEVA PI AF is the high licensing and maintenance fees associated with its use. Many companies find that they are spending too much time and money on maintaining the system rather than focusing on generating value from their data.

With Flow Software:

• You avoid these expensive fees, reducing the total cost of ownership.
• Flow’s simpler architecture requires fewer resources, meaning less time spent on system management and troubleshooting.

2. Decoupling from AVEVA PI and Unlocking Historian Flexibility

By migrating away from AVEVA PI, businesses gain the freedom to choose and use any historian, including open-source solutions. Flow Software integrates seamlessly with both traditional and modern historians, giving you more options to find the right fit for your needs.

With Flow:

• Reduced Vendor Lock-In: No longer reliant on one proprietary system, you can choose the tools that best serve your business.
• Cost Savings: Utilize open-source or lower-cost historians without compromising performance or functionality.
• Future-Proofing: Easily switch or upgrade historians without having to rebuild your entire data model or analytics infrastructure.
• Maximum Flexibility: Mix and match data sources to ensure you always have the best tools at your disposal, tailored to your evolving needs.

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3. Faster Deployments and Simplified Integration

Deploying new systems or integrating them with legacy infrastructure is often a pain point. PI AF typically requires complex configurations, leading to longer implementation times and higher consulting costs.

With Flow:

• You can connect systems quickly, drastically reducing deployment times.
• Flow integrates seamlessly with cloud platforms like Azure and Snowflake—without requiring expensive third-party connectors or time-consuming workarounds.

4. Improved Flexibility and Agility

Legacy systems often rely heavily on spreadsheets and customized analytics created by individuals. This creates knowledge silos—when an employee leaves, key insights and processes often leave with them, causing disruptions and inefficiencies.

Flow solves this challenge by:

• Embedding analytics directly into the software, ensuring continuity even if the original author leaves.
• Running analytics autonomously—Flow operates independently, whether someone is monitoring it or not.
• Providing reusable models and rules, allowing you to adapt easily as business needs evolve, without having to start from scratch.

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5. Lower Bar of Entry for OT Teams

In many organizations, using analytics platforms is restricted to specialized users or external consultants due to the complexity of the tools involved. Flow democratizes the process, making it accessible for all members of your OT team.

With Flow:

• All OT team members, from engineers to plant operators, can easily build and maintain analytics models, dashboards, and alerts.
• No specialized coding expertise is required, allowing your in-house teams to collaborate effectively without relying on outside help.
• This empowers your organization to maintain control over its data solutions and ensures that analytics align with operational goals.

Eliminate Restrictions and Unlock New Potential with Flow Software

With Flow Software, businesses are no longer limited by the constraints of AVEVA PI AF. By streamlining operations, reducing costs, and unlocking new flexibility, Flow ensures your team can focus on solving real business problems—not managing infrastructure.

Whether it’s reducing vendor lock-in, leveraging open-source tools, or enabling your OT team to build meaningful solutions without friction, Flow Software offers a future-ready platform that puts your data to work in the most efficient way possible.

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