Mr. Böhrer, the most important question first: Are you definitely going to start now?

Michael Böhrer: Yes, we are! At the SPS, we now have all the functions for programming, HMI, monitoring, SaaS and the virtual IEC61131-3 controllers in the sales case, so to speak.

What exactly is behind the Logiccloud product?

There is a trend towards virtual controllers. Logiccloud takes this one step further and provides a platform for controllers as a PLC-as-a-Service. I would even go so far as to say that, together with the web-based HMI - which has a drag & drop editor - and our monitoring for monitoring the PLC instances, including alarms in the event of an error, Logiccloud is an all-in-one platform for PLC controllers.

Did the technological direction you planned at the time fit or did you have to make adjustments?

In the early development phase, we clearly focused on the topic of PLC-as-a-Service. However, in our many discussions with potential customers, it became clear that there are still many applications that still require an on-site controller in addition to a PLC-as-a-Service. We have therefore expanded Logiccloud so that "virtual controllers" can now also be created. These are Docker containers that can be executed in hypervisors and Docker environments. The number of Docker containers that can be executed on a device is only limited by the available hardware. The charm here is that programming is carried out in exactly the same way as with PLC-as-a-Service; the HMI functions are also the same. This means that the user can develop and use the complete control logic plus HMI in the cloud. And if necessary, a virtual controller can be created from this and transferred to the target hardware. If these virtual controllers are connected to the monitoring system, updates and program changes can be carried out automatically.

What other developments do you have in the pipeline?

The next development steps will expand and complete the functions mentioned at the beginning. Among other things, we will make the Oscat libraries available in our platform. We are also working on generating and activating complete PLC programs from upstream systems - such as MES systems - based on production orders. And we will soon be providing an open source library for connecting devices via Sparkplug B. This will enable manufacturers of controllers, gateways and routers to add PLC functions to their devices and connect them directly to Logiccloud.

And last but not least, we will also make the platform available to OEM customers for use in their own IT environment - the CI can be easily adapted to the respective customer specifications.

On October 4, you announced a cooperation with the Norwegian company Piscada. What is behind it?

Piscada is a company specializing in agriculture and building automation. Piscada also follows the no-code approach, which means that all functions are generated by the software and programming becomes parameterization. Based on this technological approach, Piscada will soon be launching a proptech platform, i.e. a platform for real estate applications.

We are supplementing this platform with the necessary control functions. Thanks to the extensive API, the control programs are generated directly from Piscada. If adjustments are subsequently required, the generated programs can be adapted in the Logiccloud programming environment. Together with our product, Piscada will therefore launch the first proptech platform on the market that does not require any programming.

Logiccloud at the SPS 2022: Hall 5, Stand 140