SSE01
SSE — Elementary functional Subsystems
The plant is divided into autonomous functional modules — process units or packages — each with its own local control. The network is born segmented.
Automation System · by Contech
Architecture5
The automation architecture for the era of AI and Ethernet-APL. From rigid systems to flexible, from closed to open, from analogue to native digital.
System schematicA5 · REV 1.0 — 2026
01
Why now
Traditional control systems — 4-20mA, DCS — were the state of the art for decades. Fieldbuses first, and today networking, AI and the Industrie 4.0/5.0 paradigms, have changed the very structure of automation systems. Architecture5 is the answer: open PAC and softlogic SCADA platforms at every hierarchical level, conceived digital and cyber-secure from the foundation.
Architecture4 → Architecture5The evolution of Architecture4 — re-founded for AI, Ethernet-APL and OT cyber security.
Open
PAC & softlogic SCADA platforms, open at every hierarchical level.
Native digital
Conceived digital from the foundation — not converted afterwards.
Cyber-secure
Security as a design criterion, from cloud boundary to field I/O.
02
The architecture
RIU02
RIU — Remote Intelligent Unit
Each SSE is governed by a RIU (open SCADA with AI, or PAC): distributed intelligence, redundant where required, independent from the centre.
SUP03
Supervision & cloud
A central SCADA operator station towards the field; a remote-assistance server towards cloud AI and analytics services. Every boundary is protected: VPN, firewalls, functional filters.
Inside an SSEA5 · REV 1.0 — 2026
03
Structural cyber security
Not a component added afterwards: a design criterion.
Segmentation by SSE
The network is born segmented: one autonomous segment per functional module.
VPN & firewalls
Every boundary crossing is protected — supervision, remote assistance, cloud.
Functional filters
On SCADA and remote assistance: only the intended operations pass.
Down to field I/O
Hardware, software and procedural techniques — including the field I/O.
04
Transition to advanced digital
Architecture5 is all-encompassing: it manages existing 4-20mA analogue signals and any fieldbus, and is specifically oriented to the transition towards Ethernet-APL — two wires, intrinsically safe versions included — with native digital field instruments and Profinet actuators with integrated diagnostics: maintenance before the failure, not after.
05
Complete integration
One architecture, every function of the plant — and the technologies that carry them.
ControlHMISISF>elecomMachine monitoringDiagnosticsPredictive & prognostic maintenanceRemote assistanceSafetySecurity
Technologies
ProfinetEthernet-APLOPC-UAomloxIO-LinkFDIIIoT
+ plus cloud AI & analytics services (e.g. Siemens Insights Hub)
06
Oil & Gas
The most demanding application: Oil & Gas fiscal metering.
Native digital data, no flow computer, fiscal rigor by design. MeteringO&G-5 is Architecture5 applied to custody transfer.
Explore MeteringO&G-5- No flow computer
- Native digital measurement
- Designed for MID compliance
07
Network — how we work
Architecture5 is built on a shared know-how model: a network of companies, consultants and specialists coordinated by Contech.
Become a partner08
Contact
Request a technical presentation of Architecture5 or MeteringO&G-5 — or write to us about the partner network.
Or write directly:
info@architecture5.com- +39 06 4525 7358
- Via Bussoleno 11 — 00166 Roma
- Via Po 10 — 63845 Ponzano di Fermo (FM)