Shaping the Future of Test & Measurement: Emerson and NI’s Journey Together

As technology continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, new demands for precision, automation, and scalability are fueling industry-changing innovation in test and measurement. Engineers and operators today require test tools and systems that can handle their increasingly complex DUTs, faster product lifecycles, and the rise of AI-driven applications, while also being ready to adapt to future needs.

Against this backdrop, NI and Emerson have come together to deliver next-generation solutions that are agile and robust. After a year as Emerson’s Test and Measurement business group, we are moving forward with a focus on delivering value to our customers, igniting innovation, and meeting the needs of engineers around the world, for today and for tomorrow. 2024 has been a pivotal year for Emerson Test and Measurement in many ways, as we’ve focused on enhancing our core technologies and strengthening our ecosystem working with partners and experts to empower engineers as they adapt to an ever-evolving industry landscape.

Strengthening NI’s Core Portfolio

At the heart of NI’s offerings is our flagship software application, NI LabVIEW. We’ve listened to customer feedback and industry needs, and one way we’re responding is by reintroducing perpetual licenses to give our customers the flexibility and long-term assurance they’ve told us they value. NI LabVIEW and NI LabVIEW+ Suite perpetual licenses will return this November, with additional software licenses available in March 2025. Subscription options will remain available for customers who prefer that model.

We have also continued to invest in the meaningful product enhancements our customers want. The latest update to NI LabVIEW introduces advanced collaboration capabilities, including improved source code control, enhanced project version management, and a preview of .NET 8.0 support. These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to adapting NI LabVIEW to the needs of modern engineers.

Beyond NI LabVIEW: New Tools and Innovations

Beyond NI LabVIEW, we are advancing the Emerson Test and Measurement portfolio to address the diverse demands of today’s engineering challenges. We recently launched NI FlexLogger Lite, a free version of NI’s data acquisition and visualization software, to make powerful data insights accessible to more engineers. Integrated with NI’s newest hardware, NI mioDAQ, this solution was developed in response to direct feedback from engineers and operators performing essential testing tasks every day. Additionally, we’re continuing to invest in NI InstrumentStudio and NI TestStand to ensure that our NI PXI users remain at the cutting edge of the test and measurement landscape.

A Transparent Vision for the Future

For the first time in NI history, we’re publicly releasing our R&D roadmap to help align our investment with your strategy and encourage conversation that results in confidence in the future. One of our focus areas is effectively and responsibly harnessing AI technology within test and measurement applications, which will drive fundamental changes in how engineers capture and process data – allowing them quicker analysis on increasingly-complex devices.

By leveraging the natural language interfaces enabled by LLMs, along with their strengths in rapidly finding, analyzing, and displaying data, we aim to accelerate development for our users significantly. At the same time, we continue to build the foundational infrastructure and contextual data linkages across our tools to deliver a more consultative and interactive AI solution—aligning with the vision we shared at NI Connect this year.

Empowering Collaboration and Open Innovation

To build a stronger platform we need your input and expertise to ensure we’re heading in the right direction. To that end, we've begun making open-source elements of NI LabVIEW available, starting with the Icon Editor. By open-sourcing these components, we're inviting the community to actively participate in shaping the future of NI LabVIEW, enabling a more collaborative and transparent development process. Additionally, we’re continuing to connect with the community at global events like GDevCon, NI Connect, and other regional gatherings to better understand the challenges engineers face and collaborate on innovative solutions. These events provide a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing real-world applications, and deepening our engagement with NI LabVIEW users worldwide.

Beyond events, we’re fostering growth through dedicated forums, such as the NI Community platform, where engineers, developers, and industry experts can share best practices, offer support, and drive advancements in test and measurement. This open exchange of knowledge empowers users to push the boundaries of what’s possible with NI LabVIEW, contributing to a thriving ecosystem of shared learning and innovation.

Looking Ahead

Emerson’s acquisition of NI marks a powerful step forward, blending NI’s rich legacy with Emerson’s ambitious vision for the future of test and measurement. By addressing real-world engineering challenges and fostering open innovation we aim to shape the next generation of test and measurement solutions that will drive our industry forward.

Join us April 28-30, at NI Connect 2025 in Fort Worth to experience firsthand the exciting advancements ahead of us as we shape the future of test and measurement.