Is FPGA module option absolutely needed to deploy a RIO system?

[Christian_L]

For CompactRIO you can use the new CompactRIO Scan Mode to program the system using only LabVIEW and LabVIEW Real-Time without the need for LabVIEW FPGA. You still have access to the I/O channels on the C series module using the Scan Engine. See "Using NI CompactRIO Scan Mode with NI LabVIEW Software" for the details.

[jkurtw]

You can view a demo of this new programming model for CompactRIO in this webcast:
New LabVIEW Features for High Performance FPGA-bases PACs
http://zone.ni.com/wv/app/doc/p/id/wv-809