Integrating advanced technologies into educational environments is essential for training students in industrial automation. In this context, the Polytechnic School of Engineering of Ferrol (EPEF) has incorporated Phoenix Contact PLCnext technology, thanks to its membership in the EduNet - International Education Network. PLCnext technology represents a significant evolution from traditional controllers, expanding their capabilities beyond the languages defined by the IEC 61131 standard. This versatility allows for the integration of modern languages, facilitating the development of more advanced applications adapted to the current challenges of industrial automation. In the educational context, PLCnext offers a hybrid environment that promotes practical learning, experimentation, and the acquisition of cross-cutting skills in programming, control, and data management. The main objective of this work was to design and implement a comprehensive data acquisition and control system for laboratory level plants, using PLCnext controllers as the system's decentralized cores. The aim was to demonstrate the viability of this technology in educational environments by enabling remote control, SCADA visualization, and data logging. In addition, the flexibility of PLCnext to integrate tools such as MATLAB/Simulink in a laboratory environment was demonstrated.