GE Fanuc Automation has bought the automation software specialist Intellution from Emerson, for an undisclosed sum. Charlene Begley, GE Fanuc`s chief executive, says that the deal will bring "strong growth opportunities in process-related segments as well as a complementary presence worldwide".

Intellution gives GE Fanuc a customer base of more than 185,000 installations worldwide, as well as extensive knowledge of the batch process industries such as food, drinks and pharmaceuticals.

According to Dick Slaney, senior analyst with the ARC Advisory Group, the deal "appears to represent a solid win-win for both companies, as Intellution`s iFix HMI/SCADA application suite brings a strong manufacturing intelligence capability to GE Fanuc`s Cimplicity production management portfolio, while exposing Intellution`s product line to GE Fanuc`s robust global distribution channel".