Virtualization – Helpful in Industrial Automation?

Virtualization has taken the IT world by storm. The virtual machine isolates and executes each operating system instance independently. If one crashes, it doesn't affect the others. Software reviewers love the idea of virtual machines. A software package can be installed on a virtual machine, and the entire package (OS and application) transferred onto a CD or DVD and shipped to the reviewer. Do you see applications for virtual machines in factory automation? Do you see advantages in pre-installed operating systems and applications? If you're already using virtualization in your automation or process control application, what has your experience been?

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