Siemens sees the App Store as a new type of IT platform that makes it possible to use IT technologies on the store floor in a scalable manner in the production environment. In addition to the Siemens Edge Apps for the discrete industry and machine tool manufacturing, third-party providers such as Braincube, Cybus, SeioTec and Tosibox have already launched their offerings there.
Siemens' intention is for customers to benefit from a wide range of software components from different providers and manufacturers that can be integrated into production in a standardized way. The offering already ranges from connectivity, data storage, visualization and analysis to machine monitoring, energy and asset management. As an open software platform, Industrial Edge thus forms an edge computing ecosystem.

The B2C world as a role model

The new offering is designed to enable B2B customers to purchase and operate multiple software components on an all-in-one platform. The Industrial Edge Marketplace offers customers a user experience when purchasing and operating software and services that they are already familiar with from the B2C sector. In just a few steps, they can put together their app shopping basket, place the order, pay and use the purchased products - regardless of the manufacturer. In addition to traditional payment methods, credit card payment is also possible. In addition, the marketplace partners do not have to interact directly with the customer to take care of ordering, payment and delivery of the software.

Supported by Siemens and a global presence, the platform offers app developers market access to industrial automation technology. The offering is to be expanded and extended step by step, with Siemens focusing on offering additional services and software apps from partners who are the main focus within the Industrial Edge ecosystem.