The new joint offer combines Eurotech’s competence in edge computing with the core competence of CONTACT Software, the cloud backend around the digital twin and the associated processes.

Leveraging computational power at the edge is getting increasingly popular within many vertical industries. Eurotech’s technology components provide data, device and application management in the field, from the cloud to local computer units. They form the interface between sensors, machine controls and the CONTACT Elements for IoT backend for digital business models.

"Eurotech’s devices are also easily controlled and adapted via the cloud infrastructure," explains Frank Patz-Brockmann, head of development at CONTACT Software. "In this way, we can implement complete solutions for demanding IIoT scenarios in which real-time capability and fast reaction are essential.”

Eurotech builds the bridge to various machine protocols such as Modbus, OPC-UA or Siemens S7 and provides a development environment for its gateways that is considered a milestone in edge computing. "When it comes to integrating field technology with Eurotech Gateways, the flexibility is simply impressive," says CONTACT’s manager Patz-Brockmann. "And the openness of their Edge platform allows us to deploy it for many IoT and Industry 4.0 use cases".

In the open source version Eclipse Kura, Eurotech’s software stack also runs on the Raspberry PI and other minicomputers. This open source approach in combination with additional functions for professional use make the company based in Italy and with a strong presence in Asia and the USA an ideal partner for CONTACT Software - and, according to Gartner, a "notable vendor for IIoT".

“We are very excited to have CONTACT Software as a strong IoT Solutions Partner in our ecosystem. CONTACT’s expertise, intimate knowledge and solid software offering for the product engineering process make it a perfect partner to provide seamless integrated solutions to customers that wish to leverage the benefits enabled by the IoT and a successful digital transformation”, says Robert Andres, CSO of the Eurotech Group.