Those fridges are from the 90s. You cant reasonably support it that long. It's not even just software. The PLC is fixed hardware, you can't simply patch that.
You can replace the PLC. It's not like a modern PLC couldn't be made to control a 1990s fridge. The question is "Who will pay for the upgrade". DanFoss sure as hell won't. The stores won't, because they've already paid for the fridge.
Honestly I feel like this should fall under a support contract. The pricing structure could be similar to that of Microsoft. Support is fairly cheap, X number of years included in the purchase price, once the product reaches EOL the price goes up dramatically each year.
There's a massive problem in how we think about these products collectively. They are inherently insecure, they will be attacked and preventing it is expensive. You could build a safer alternative, but you'd be priced out of the market instantly by less safe, but more convenient alternatives.
I work in the industry. Usually customers are sold new PLCs for exorbitant prices as an "upgrade". Service contracts are only for know-how maintenance. Support cases get billed in addition to that.
This is how it's done everywhere I worked. You can patch some bugs for cheap in the software, but you can't fix hardware limitations. I know companies that use PLCs that still don't support encryption despite the upcoming EU regulations.
The companies either don't care or are too greedy to spend money on this.
"The PLC is fixed hardware, you can't simply patch that."
Oh yes you can patch it - that's how I got the 20 year old laminator working where I work. If the hardware is still good you can absolutely change firmware if you have the PLC control software (like RockWell ControlFlash) or know how to manipulate the ladder logic directly.
Sure you can. Code is code. I took a machine without brush cleaning for transfer sheets and hand-tapped, mounted motors and controllers and brush assemblies, ran the connections into the PLC, install and connect the power relays, reflashed the PLC firmware with custom code, BAM it works.
As long as you have room in memory, you can add functionality.
