For many factories, getting started with digitalization has traditionally been a long and complicated process. Connecting machines, collecting usable process data, and enabling advanced analytics often meant hiring external consultants, navigating IT hurdles, and waiting months to see results.
That’s no longer the case.
Thanks to solutions like Things OS, digitalization is now faster, easier, and more accessible — and most importantly, it no longer requires a systems integrator. Here's how it works, and what it means for your factory.
Why System Integrators Were Needed Before
Factories often face challenges like:
Heterogeneous machine parks
Legacy machines with no native connectivity
Internal IT limitations and security requirements
Lack of access to standardized, usable machine data
System integrators were brought in to manually connect machines, build dashboards, and configure data pipelines. But these projects were expensive, complex, and often hard to scale.
What’s Changed: Standardization + Automation
Things OS simplifies the digitalization process by removing the complexity of integration. It combines robust hardware, secure connectivity, and powerful automation — making it possible to go from unconnected machine to operational digital twin in just a few clicks.
Here’s how it works:
1. Plug-and-Produce Edge Connectivity
Using the Hilscher Compact Edge Gateway, machines are connected securely via LTE — without needing any changes to your internal network. The hardware is robust, and setup is plug-and-play.
2. Auto-Provisioned Digital Twins
Once installed, a Things Twin is automatically created for each machine. This high-performance digital twin is powered by Blueprints, which extract relevant data points, configure dashboards, and activate industry-specific micro-models — all without manual setup.
3. Dashboards and Insights Out of the Box
Each Things Twin includes a machine dashboard that is automatically tailored to the machine type. You’ll see live process data, condition monitoring, and key KPIs — right away.
No manual mapping. No dashboard development. No integrator needed.
Why This Matters for Your Operations
No External Consultants Required
With plug-and-produce hardware and automatic provisioning, there’s no need for outside integration services. Your team can start using the system immediately.
Immediate Onboarding
Things OS can be up and running in just a few clicks. That means no months-long integration projects — and insights from production data are available instantly.
Low Deployment Effort
Because connectivity is provided via secure LTE and external hardware, there’s no need for changes to your internal company network. This minimizes disruption during setup and allows you to maintain your existing IT security infrastructure.
Built-in Compliance and Data Security
Things OS is hosted exclusively in Germany (AWS eu-central-1) and aligned with IEC 62443-2-1, NIS-2, and ISO 27001 standards. Combined with encrypted LTE connections and double encryption, your data stays secure, sovereign, and under your control.
Digitalization That Scales Without Headaches
Things OS is designed to be as scalable as it is simple. You can connect machines from different brands and types — from laser cutters to packaging lines — without relying on proprietary vendor solutions. Whether you start with one machine or many, the setup process stays the same.
Because every part of the system is built on standardized components — from the edge gateway to the digital twin — your team isn’t tied to one integrator, one brand, or one set of tools. You’re free to grow at your own pace.
Final Thought: Industrial Digitalization, Made Simple
The message is clear: you no longer need to rely on integrators, consultants, or custom projects to bring your machines online.
With Things OS, you can start your digitalization process quickly, securely, and affordably — unlocking valuable insights and process optimizations from day one.
👉 Book a short intro session with our team
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👉 Or test Things OS for 3 months, risk-free
