At each Hannover Messe, a standout topic emerges, dominating discussions and presentations. This year, the spotlight was on industrial edge devices.

In a Mendix blog post, Wai Man Li, Mendix Strategic Business Director, described industrial edge devices as “network devices equipped with local computing and storage capabilities, enabling secure data transmission between local networks and the cloud.” These devices are pivotal for manufacturers aiming to bridge the gap between business processes, information technology, and operational technology.

Many manufacturers are now leveraging low-code application development platforms to create and deploy applications for industrial edge devices. This approach brings computational power closer to production machinery, offering a real-time comprehensive view that aids operators and managers in making swift, informed decisions. At Hannover Messe 2023, Schuler, a leading manufacturer, shared their success story with this strategy.

Schuler’s Approach to Digitalization

Schuler, a producer of sheet metal processing equipment for industries like automotive, electric motor, and appliances, showcased their innovative use of industrial edge devices at the event. Michael Weiher, Project Manager for Digital Solutions at Schuler, explained the benefits of integrating industrial edge devices for equipment manufacturers during a joint presentation with Siemens.

“Our objective has always been to enhance the productivity and efficiency of our machines,” said Weiher. “Digitalization holds immense potential for achieving this. Edge computing is essential for transmitting data, whether raw or processed, from the machine to the system. It merges IT security guidelines with the flexibility required by operational technology. That’s why we choose Siemens Industrial Edge and Mendix.”

Leveraging Siemens Industrial Edge and Mendix

Siemens Industrial Edge is an open computing platform that processes data directly at production sites, machinery, and plants. This data can be utilized to optimize workflows, conserve resources, and improve quality. The platform offers access to higher computing power, increased storage, and remote cloud-based computing capabilities.

Integrated into Siemens Industrial Edge are connectors for the Mendix platform, allowing Schuler’s business technologists to swiftly and easily develop applications for industrial edge devices. “I prefer everything to be developed on the Mendix platform,” Weiher remarked. “It offers database capabilities, drag-and-drop functionality, and simple workflow initiation. Additionally, Mendix and its partners are always available for support.”

Transitioning to Machine-as-a-Service

Using the Mendix platform, Schuler is creating applications for Siemens Industrial Edge that enable customers to connect and monitor their equipment. These applications gather data at the machine level and transfer it to the cloud, facilitating:

• Production analysis and planning
• Sharing of insights and alerts
• Malfunction detection and maintenance scheduling
• Quality assurance checks
• Implementation and enforcement of safety protocols

By standardizing application development on the Mendix platform, Schuler ensures consistency and ease of deployment across the organization. The low-code Mendix platform’s reusable blocks and intuitive visual UI make app creation accessible to team members with domain expertise but limited development experience.

This initiative is part of Schuler’s strategic shift from traditional industrial manufacturing to software development for digital products, moving towards a machine-as-a-service model. “We have integrated our digital products into our Digital Suite, where customers can find all the tools needed to customize their solutions,” Weiher noted. “With the Digital Suite, it’s possible to digitalize a single machine or an entire factory.”

Looking Forward

Schuler was among many companies at Hannover Messe 2023 enthusiastic about how the Mendix low-code platform can advance their digital transformation plans. With the launch of Mendix 10, realizing the full potential of this platform has become even more attainable.

Photo by: Markus Spiske (unsplash.com)