If your facility still relies on MicroLogix controllers, now is the time to rethink that strategy. This isn’t because the controllers are suddenly less capable, but because the environment around them has changed.
Rockwell has discontinued all MicroLogix platforms except for one–the 1400–and even that’s in Active Mature status. That means it will not be developed further, and support will only become more limited over time. Meanwhile, the rest of the MicroLogix line is already past end-of-life. You can’t buy them new. You can’t send them in for repair. Once they go down, they’re done.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly why the MicroLogix platform is no longer viable as a long-term solution, what makes Micro800 a better fit for modern manufacturing, and how the migration process is far simpler than most expect. Whether you're maintaining legacy systems or planning a plant-wide upgrade, this is the information you need to avoid costly surprises and build a smarter, more resilient control strategy.
The MicroLogix platform has earned its reputation. It’s been reliable, rugged, and familiar for years. But it’s not 2010 anymore, and what made sense over a decade ago no longer applies.
Rockwell’s own product lifecycle data shows just how far gone the MicroLogix family really is. The 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1500 models are officially discontinued, with no support or spare parts available. The 1400, as mentioned, is Active Mature, which is Rockwell’s way of saying “we’re still shipping it, but don’t count on that lasting.” No new features. It won’t receive any new firmware or features, and will eventually be discontinued (we can’t say for sure when, creating even more uncertainty).
It’s also worth noting that the communication modules often used to extend these controllers, like the 1761-NET-ENI for Ethernet, have already been retired. If you’re running a MicroLogix system today, you’re not just running legacy hardware. You’re running unsupported infrastructure.
Even if you have working stock, there’s a hard reality most facilities don’t account for: MicroLogix controllers are consumables now. You can’t get them repaired. The failure of one component doesn’t trigger a maintenance event; it forces a replacement event.
That alone should be a red flag. You’re only one electrical surge, one thermal spike, or one blown capacitor away from an extended outage. And depending on what you’re running, a single controller failure could take down an entire machine or even a whole line.
And sure, you could go to a third-party retailer to find a replacement. But we’ve seen customers go to eBay or gray-market suppliers in desperation, only to wind up with bricked units, bad firmware, or incompatible revisions. When that’s your backup plan, it’s time to upgrade.
Let’s talk about RSLogix 500. It’s the programming environment that supports the MicroLogix series, and it hasn’t seen any meaningful evolution in years.
Aside from the fact that it’s increasingly difficult to get licenses or support, there’s the issue of the workforce. The generation of technicians who grew up with RSLogix 500 is retiring. Newer technicians are trained in modern environments like Connected Components Workbench (CCW) or Logix Designer. And younger engineers don’t want to be dragged backward into obsolete software.
This creates a knowledge gap that only widens with time. Migrating to Micro800 allows you to work in CCW, a modern, integrated design environment that supports programming, drive configuration, simulation, and visualization. Upgrading to the Micro800 line also means upgrading your team’s ability to work effectively in the environment they already know.
The Micro800 family is a clear step forward for MicroLogix products. These controllers are built for today’s connected, flexible industrial environments. They support native Ethernet and serial protocols without requiring bolt-on modules. You get plug-in capability to extend features without increasing the footprint. And if you're running legacy DF1 or PCCC communications, you’re still covered. That means your old architecture can stay online even as your controller moves forward.
One of the most common concerns we hear is about programming complexity. But that’s exactly where Micro800 shines. You get options: Ladder, Function Block, or Structured Text, whichever language makes the most sense for your team. You also get symbolic tag addressing, which means better readability, better integration with HMIs, and fewer headaches during troubleshooting.
Want to use motion profiles? Class 1 implicit messaging? User-defined function blocks for clean, reusable logic? Micro800 gives you all of that, whereas MicroLogix falters.
And perhaps most importantly: once you make the jump, you’re back on a supported platform. Rockwell is actively developing the Micro800 series. Firmware is updated. Features are added. If something breaks, you can get it repaired. If something new comes out, you can adopt it.
The idea of migration might sound daunting, especially if you’ve got dozens (or hundreds) of MicroLogix units deployed. But Rockwell has already invested in making this transition easier.
The MicroLogix to Micro800 Converter Tool (v5.00) can handle much of the heavy lifting when it comes to project conversion. If you’ve got an RSLogix 500 project, the tool helps port it into a format CCW can understand. It’s not a perfect 1:1 transfer–you’ll still want to review and test–but it beats starting from scratch.
There’s also the Integrated Architecture Builder (IAB), which helps you scope out what your system will look like post-migration. And if you’re working with us at HESCO, we can help guide the whole process, from hardware selection to program conversion to startup.
This doesn’t have to be a massive, disruptive overhaul. In most cases, we recommend phasing in Micro800s as you cycle out aging MicroLogix controllers. That way, you’re modernizing without putting all your chips on the table at once.
There’s no badge of honor in waiting for something to break before you replace it, especially when the failure is preventable. In the case of MicroLogix, you’re not waiting for an upgrade to become available. It already is. You’re waiting until you no longer have a choice.
The good news? You don’t have to do that. You can plan the migration on your schedule. You can train your team, test your applications, and update your system without the pressure of downtime looming overhead.
The Micro800 platform is a clear path forward. It’s supported, scalable, and built for the demands of today’s operations. And unlike its predecessor, it’s not going anywhere.
If you’re ready to talk through your MicroLogix footprint, we’re ready to help. Let’s build a roadmap that makes sense for your facility before that next failure writes it for you.