Hermes Award 2016 - these are the nominees:
The nominated product 'Mica' (Modular Industry Computing Architecture) from Harting IT Software is a modular platform consisting of open hardware and software. On the one hand, it enables computing power to be executed on site and, on the other, communication with central IT systems and the cloud. In other words, Mica acts as a small, cost-efficient computing unit between end devices and the higher-level IT system. An innovative combination of established Linux technologies makes it possible to virtualize field devices. Hardware components that can be added by the user also communicate via USB, and Mica can be operated via Power over Ethernet. In contrast to single-board computers - such as the Raspberry Pi - the Mica platform's board is divided into three parts. One of these can be freely assembled. Among other things, the jury was impressed by the concept of lightweight virtualization using Linux containers, which Mica implements on a compact field device. In short, the solution can be used to add intelligence to existing machines and systems, making it possible to migrate existing factories to smart factories.