Automation suppliers are faced with the high development costs due to the very diverse environments in host systems and field devices, which require customized interfaces for every combination. They would much rather invest their resources where they belong, in specialized, differentiated features that bring benefits to the end users, rather than in integration problems.

FDT provides a standard interface for all compliant systems and devices. Additionally, it is the same for automation systems and for stand alone tools. DTM’s leverage the existing DD’s (Device Descriptions) and are unique for each device (i.e. they need to be built only once, regardless of the host system), thereby protecting the supplier’s investment.

Finally, the technology itself allows for migration to future platform developments such as evolution from COM to .Net.