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Traditionally, PC-based control has been a customized solution, used by manufacturers who had were using traditional office based programming languages as controls for their machinery. More recently, some vendors have provided IEC 1131 style systems for the PC and brought the PC-based option to the larger market of traditional PLC users. And now, the large automation/PLC suppliers are introducing their PC-based control solutions providing the needed credibility and stability to this solution. A designer considering such an implementation must be familiar with the factors behind implementing a PC-based control system, including the costs inherent in migrating to a new structure, the selection of an I/O system, performance characteristics, as well as current and future resources available to such a system. Important also, is the understanding of existing differences in PC-based systems and why some systems are better suited to specific applications.