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Don't Get Left Behind: Seamless HMI Migration

AutomationDirect's EA9 HMIs are phasing out Jan 1, 2026 or when stock runs out, and upgrading to their CM5 series means starting from scratch for many. Don't waste time and money re-engineering your HMI programs. EZAutomation's EZTouch EZ3 Series HMIs offer a superior, future-proof solution (same cutout, same mounting) with direct program conversion and innovative features that will save you time, reduce downtime, and improve your operations.

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Your file is kept 100% confidential. We never share your programs and sign an NDA upon request.

"We switched from EA9 to EZTouch in 2 days thanks to their free conversion service."
- Kevin M., Plant Supervisor

The EZTouch EZ3 Series isn't just a replacement; it's an upgrade. Experience the features designed to boost your productivity and minimize downtime:

Feature / Benefit	EZAutomation EZTouch EZ3 Series (Advanced, Made in USA)	AutomationDirect C-more EA9 (Legacy)	AutomationDirect C-more CM5 (Newer)
EOL Status	Current, actively supported since 2001	End-of-Life: August 2025	Current, actively supported
EA9 Program Conversion	Direct, seamless program conversion from EA9. Minimal to no re-engineering required.	N/A	"Convertible," but often requires significant rework and re-alignment of graphics for older projects/different resolutions. May not be a true "drop-in" for software.
HMI On-Line Edit	Patented On-Line Edit (No Machine Shutdown) - Unique to EZTouch	Not Available	Not Available
Wireless Programming	EZminiWifi Capable (Program/Edit from 50 ft away) - Unique to EZ	Requires physical cable connection	Requires physical cable connection
Durability / Lifespan	75,000 hrs @ 55°C (backlight half-life), Rugged .090" Thick Touchscreen	50,000 hrs @ 25°C (backlight half-life)	50,000 hrs @ 25°C (backlight half-life)
PLC Compatibility	Broad, including AB DH+ (unique!), Dual PLC Drivers	Broad (most major PLCs)	Broad (most major PLCs); NO DH-485 support
"Made In" Status	Proudly Made in America - No Tariffs, No Supply Chain Issues	Made in China - Subject to Tariffs and Supply Chain Issues	Made in Japan
Brightest Display	400 NITs Standard on All Models	Ranges from 240 to 350 nits (depending on specific model/size)	Ranges from 280 to 315 nits (depending on specific model/size)
Programming Software	Free, Intuitive, "Eziest" (Fast Development)	Free, but conversion can be problematic	Free, but conversion can be problematic for EA9 programs
Advanced Features	C-Level Scripting, On-Screen Recipe Edit, OEM Packager, Remote Monitoring (Smartphones)	Standard HMI features (Data Logging, Email, etc.)	Standard HMI features, MQTT, Web Server
Project Upload (No SW)	Upload HMI Program from USB - Unique to EZTouch	No	No
Quality & Testing	HALT/HASS Tested, 24hr Burn-in	Standard QA	Standard QA

EZTouch^® 3 Series Enhanced

6", 7", 8", 10", 12" & 15" Models

HMI screen touch panel Fully Loaded, Dual Driver, 2 Serial, 2 USB, Ethernet, MicroSD, Sunlight Readable Models, Only HMI that can still talk to AB’s DH+ & More...

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EZTouch^® 3 Series Enhanced 7" Starter Kit

HMI screen touch panel Starter Kit Includes:
● 7" EZ3 EE HMI
● 60W EZ Digital Power Supply
● EZminiWifi
● Programming Cable
● Programming Software

All Starter Kits come with a 30 day money back guarantee.

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Maximize Uptime, Minimize Effort: EZTouch HMI Software Delivers

EZTouch HMI Software has a patented on-line edit feature that allows engineers to connect to the running HMI, make live adjustments to screens, objects, and even internal HMI logic, and instantly see those changes reflected on the operator interface without requiring the machine to be halted.

Download Demo | Watch it in action →

Seamlessly Communicate to more PLCs than any other HMI

EZAutomation makes it a priority for their EZTouch HMIs to be universally compatible, making them a strong choice for system integrators and end-users who need to connect to a variety of existing or new PLC systems without being locked into a single vendor's ecosystem.

Explore the full list of Drivers

EZAutomation's EZTouch HMI: A Brief History

Early History and Innovation

EZAutomation's EZTouch HMIs (Human Machine Interfaces) have a notable history in the industrial automation market, particularly marked by their relationship and subsequent lawsuit with AutomationDirect.

1992: AVG (the parent company of EZAutomation) introduced the "Power Panel," the first fully graphical touchpanel HMI, through its Uticor Division. This was a significant step beyond the prevailing keypad membranes with displays.
2001: EZAutomation officially launched its award-winning EZTouch HMI/Operator Interface. It was introduced to the market with a strong emphasis on being a low-cost, feature-rich solution. A key innovative feature often highlighted was its "on-line edit" capability, which allowed users to modify the HMI program without shutting down the machine or process, significantly reducing downtime. It wasn't just another interface; it was a "radically new concept" designed to solve real-world problems with a focus on ease of use, backward compatibility, and operational efficiency.

The Partnership with AutomationDirect

February 2001: The EZTouch HMI was launched and distributed through AutomationDirect. This partnership was a major success, with EZTouch being described as a "radically new concept" due to its ease of screen design.

The Split and Lawsuit

January 2005: EZAutomation was launched as a separate entity in response to AutomationDirect's decision to introduce their own HMI product line, C-More. AutomationDirect's C-More was manufactured by their parent company, Koyo, and was designed as a "drop-in replacement" for EZTouch, even capable of converting EZTouch programs with a single click.
The Lawsuit: This move by AutomationDirect led to a significant legal dispute. EZAutomation (AVG) sued AutomationDirect, alleging that C-More directly copied the EZTouch's features and that AutomationDirect had used information gained during their partnership to develop a competing product. While specific details of the legal proceedings are extensive and not fully public, discussions in industry forums (like control.com and PLCtalk.net) indicate that a jury sided with EZAutomation at one point. The core of the dispute revolved around alleged intellectual property infringement and unfair competition.

Post-Lawsuit and Continued Development

Despite the legal battle, both companies continued to develop their respective HMI lines. EZAutomation continued to innovate with new EZTouch series (like EZ5, EZ7, EZ12, and EZSoft HMI for PCs), consistently emphasizing features like their patented on-line edit, robust displays, and broad PLC communication compatibility.