What is behind Flecs?

Patric Scholz: The Marketplace, through which we make apps available, is only one part of the overall solution. Flecs is more like a communication layer that helps the machine manufacturer to use exactly the software solutions that are required for their specific machine. Our Service Mesh, for example, allows all apps in an application to talk to each other and exchange data. And the best thing is that the solution can be installed on any PLC or standard hardware, regardless of the hardware. As a PLC manufacturer, this gives me the opportunity, among other things, to supply my customers with exactly the modular software configuration they need. And all this in batch size 1 at no additional cost. However, our solution is also ideal for retrofitting old machines as an edge device. In some cases, no new hardware is required at all, but existing servers are used in the infrastructure.

Do you already have automation manufacturers who will be using your platform?

The first PLC manufacturers will be presenting their new generations of devices with Flecs support at the trade fair. These include Baumüller, Weidmüller, Salz Automation, TTTech and Software Defined Automation. We also support a range of Linux-based industrial PCs and standard hardware, such as the Raspberry Pi. Our app portfolio with well-known manufacturers such as Inosoft, Softing, Straton, IniNet, Mirasoft, Inasoft and many others, now includes almost 30 installable apps and more are about to be released.

What distinguishes your solution from others - such as the Bosch Rexroth App Store?

First of all, all these solutions show that the time is ripe for change. Transparency is very important to us - our solution is therefore completely open source and can be adapted and improved as required. It is designed in such a way that it can be set up on any Linux distributions and adaptations with minimal effort. Each user can decide for themselves whether they want to use our complete package or just part of it. This flexibility is highly appreciated by PLC manufacturers and offers them great scope for differentiating themselves from the competition.

Wouldn't a collaboration with app store providers - such as the I4.0 Alliance - be a win-win situation?

That's a very good and important point! We are already in contact with the I4.0 Alliance in particular and we are confident that we will soon be able to join and make our contribution there. From a technical perspective, we see few hurdles. And from a strategic point of view, we are pursuing the same goal: we want to give automation specialists something they can use to create future-proof solutions without being tied to individual manufacturers or organizations.

Flecs at the SPS 2022: Hall 6, Stand 240