ScanESC Alternatives 2026: Best Lockout Tagout Software Compared

Lockout Tagout (LOTO) is non-negotiable in industrial safety. Whether you're running a pharmaceutical facility in Switzerland, a manufacturing plant in the US, or a food production site in Germany, controlling hazardous energy is a regulatory requirement with serious consequences for non-compliance—incidents, fines, and operational shutdowns.

For organisations already embedded in the Rockwell Automation ecosystem, ScanESC often appears on the shortlist when evaluating digital LOTO solutions. It's backed by a major automation vendor and promises to digitise your lockout tagout programme.

But in 2026, the question safety leaders need to ask is this: Is a platform built on enterprise CRM infrastructure and tied to a specific automation vendor the right fit for a modern, flexible safety programme? Or is there a better path forward?

Understanding ScanESC: A Rockwell Ecosystem Product

ScanESC is Rockwell Automation's lockout tagout software solution, designed to help organisations digitise their LOTO programmes. It offers a mobile app (iOS, Android, Windows) and web portal for managing procedures, conducting audits, and tracking lockout activities.

• Where It Fits: For organisations already deeply invested in the Rockwell Automation ecosystem—running Allen-Bradley PLCs, using FactoryTalk, and comfortable with enterprise-level pricing—ScanESC can be a natural extension of their existing vendor relationship.
• The Gaps for Modern Operations: ScanESC is built on Microsoft Dynamics CRM infrastructure, which adds complexity and cost for organisations not already running Dynamics. Its QR functionality is limited to locating documentation rather than verifying equipment during lockout execution. And critically, it lacks tag creation capabilities entirely—meaning you're still generating tags manually or through separate tools.

For organisations outside the Rockwell ecosystem, or those seeking vendor-agnostic flexibility, ScanESC's architecture creates unnecessary friction.

The Modern Safety Checklist: 7 Questions for Your LOTO Vendor

As digital lockout tagout solutions mature, the bar for what constitutes a modern platform has risen. Use this checklist during your evaluation:

1. Does it verify execution, not just display procedures? Can the system confirm that technicians are locking out the correct equipment—or does it just show them which equipment to lock out and trust they followed instructions?
2. Can it generate tags directly from procedures? Or are you still creating tags manually in Word, Excel, or separate label software?
3. Is deployment frictionless? Does it require native app installations and specific infrastructure, or can your team access it from any device with a browser?
4. Is it vendor-agnostic? Can you implement it regardless of your existing automation or ERP infrastructure?
5. Is the audit trail comprehensive? Does it capture who, what, when, and why for every action, with tamper-evident records?
6. Is pricing transparent and predictable? Or do you need to engage enterprise sales processes to even understand the cost?
7. Is the user experience built for the plant floor? Is the interface intuitive enough for rapid adoption without extensive training?

Zentri: The Flexible, Software-First Alternative

Zentri is a cloud-native lockout tagout software platform built to deliver modern safety capabilities without ecosystem lock-in or enterprise complexity. It was designed from the ground up to be vendor-agnostic, rapidly deployable, and genuinely easy to use.

Where ScanESC was designed within the Rockwell ecosystem for Rockwell customers, Zentri was designed for any organisation seeking best-in-class LOTO management—regardless of their existing automation infrastructure.

Why forward-thinking organisations choose Zentri:

• QR Code Verification During Execution: Technicians must scan a QR code on the equipment during the lockout process, confirming they're isolating the correct asset. This is active verification, not just documentation lookup—eliminating one of the most common sources of LOTO incidents.
• Intelligent Tag Creation Engine: Generate professional, compliant lockout tags directly from your procedures—50x faster than manual tagging. Each tag includes a QR code linking directly to the relevant lockout plan, so anyone encountering a tag in the field instantly understands what procedure it relates to.
• Seamless Plan-to-Tag Integration: Your lockout plans and tags are connected in a single system. Update a procedure, and linked tags reflect the change automatically. No version control nightmares or outdated tags circulating on the plant floor.
• Browser-Based Access: Zentri's responsive web application works on any device—desktop, tablet, or smartphone—without requiring native app installations. This means faster deployment, no app store approvals, and compatibility with any organisation's IT policies.
• Vendor-Agnostic Architecture: Zentri works alongside any automation infrastructure. Whether you're running Rockwell, Siemens, ABB, or a mix of vendors, Zentri integrates into your environment without forcing ecosystem commitments.
• Transparent Pricing: No enterprise sales process required to understand what you'll pay. Zentri's pricing is publicly available and predictable.
• Comprehensive Audit Trails: Capture a defensible, timestamped record of every action, aligned with OSHA 1910.147, EU directives, and ISO 45001.

ScanESC vs. Zentri: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Calculating the True ROI: Beyond Enterprise Pricing

When evaluating lockout tagout software, the subscription cost is only part of the equation. Factor in the hidden costs that enterprise platforms often carry:

• Infrastructure Overhead: ScanESC's Dynamics CRM foundation means additional licensing, configuration, and maintenance costs for organisations not already running Microsoft Dynamics.
• Tag Creation Time: Without integrated tag generation, your team continues spending hours on manual tag creation. Zentri's tag engine delivers 50x time savings.
• Deployment Friction: Native app requirements mean app store approvals, device management, and IT involvement. Browser-based access eliminates this entirely.
• Verification Gaps: QR codes that only locate documentation don't prevent wrong-equipment lockouts. Active verification during execution catches errors before they become incidents.
• Vendor Lock-In: Committing to a single-vendor ecosystem limits future flexibility and negotiating leverage.

Zentri's transparent pricing and minimal infrastructure requirements mean you can accurately forecast total cost of ownership from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. We're already a Rockwell shop. Should we still consider alternatives?

Being a Rockwell customer for PLCs and automation doesn't mean you need Rockwell for every software solution. LOTO software is a distinct category where vendor-agnostic platforms often deliver better functionality and value. Evaluate based on features and fit, not just existing vendor relationships.

2. How does browser-based access compare to native apps for plant floor use?

Modern responsive web apps perform comparably to native apps for most use cases, with significant advantages: no installation required, automatic updates, compatibility with any device, and no app store approval processes. Your team can be operational in minutes rather than days.

3. Can we migrate our existing ScanESC procedures to Zentri?

Yes. Zentri supports procedure migration from existing systems. Many organisations pilot Zentri alongside their current solution before transitioning fully, ensuring a smooth migration with no compliance gaps.

4. What about organisations using Dynamics CRM for other purposes?

Even if you're running Dynamics CRM elsewhere in your organisation, a purpose-built LOTO platform typically outperforms a solution adapted from CRM infrastructure. Safety-specific functionality, user experience, and total cost of ownership all favour dedicated platforms.

Conclusion: Ecosystem Lock-In vs. Flexibility

ScanESC serves a purpose for organisations fully committed to the Rockwell Automation ecosystem and comfortable with enterprise-level pricing and Dynamics CRM infrastructure.

However, for organisations seeking the best lockout tagout software in 2026—with active equipment verification, integrated tag creation, browser-based deployment, and vendor-agnostic flexibility—Zentri's feature set significantly outpaces what ScanESC offers.

The choice comes down to philosophy: ecosystem lock-in with a major automation vendor, or flexibility with a platform purpose-built for modern digital lockout tagout requirements.

For most organisations, the answer is clear.

See the difference for yourself. Discover how Zentri delivers QR-verified lockout execution, intelligent tag creation, and flexible deployment—without ecosystem lock-in.

Schedule Your Personalised Demo of Zentri Today →