Virtual commissioning has been developed as a process to help solve a variety of problems that can arise when manufacturing systems are brought together for integration and operation with a programmable logic controller (PLC). The new B&R MapleSim Connector, released by B&R Industrial Automation, makes virtual commissioning even easier for those new to the technologies. By linking the system-level modeling environment (MapleSim) and the automation design environment (B&R Automation Studio), designers can create their digital models and test their PLC code within the same workflow. This provides valuable feedback during the design phase, where changes are easier and less expensive to implement.