Why not invent a universal operating system for controllers, drives and HMI-application etc., where special care can be taken in avoiding versions conflicts, whether backwards or forwards, when updating etc. Would it be (almost) possible?

The Control OS can be running in VMware, oops!

 

Sounds like Linux with debian package manager (apt-get etc). Or Ruby's bundler.

I would very much line something like rvm for Siemens, Schneider and Intouch. RVM allows you to install any versions of ruby on one machine and then select the one to be used by 'rvm use 1,9.2' or 'rvm use jruby'

 

Sounds good, but remember whenever a software system attempts to stay backwards compatible, it does two things.

1. Inhibits growth in the product.
2. It bloats the code with 'stuff' that most don't need or want.