grandcentrix and Datacake Enable Customers to Apply IoT: Bringing Business Opportunities to Life

grandcentrix was originally founded in 2009 as a specialised IT software company, focusing primarily on app development. From the outset, the company quickly gained recognition for its expertise in developing innovative mobile applications. Several major projects, including the renowned Toniebox for children and the integration of Miele home appliances, propelled grandcentrix into the realm of IoT and hardware development. By expanding beyond app development and using Datacake, grandcentrix has added value for its customers by creating IoT products in combination with integrated IoT solutions.

With a team of nearly 200 professionals, primarily based in Cologne, Germany, grandcentrix prides itself on engineering excellence “made in Germany”. Its engineers have a wide range of skills including embedded hardware and firmware development, cloud engineering, app development for iOS and Android, IoT security, quality management and even antenna design, and take responsibility along the whole life-cycle, from concept, through development to roll-out, creating substantial business value for customers across the entire value chain. This comprehensive expertise makes them an internationally recognised partner in IoT endeavours.

grandcentrix operates on two core pillars of business. Firstly, their IoT Solution business continues to build, develop, and implement custom solutions for clients. This approach ensures that each client receives a bespoke IoT solution, catering to their specific requirements. Secondly, the company established its IoT Products division, which focuses on creating scalable IoT offerings. One such product is Modbus Cloud Connect, which addresses the need for retrofitting existing Modbus devices and efficiently transmitting their data to the cloud or the client’s existing IT infrastructure.

Modbus is an established, field-proven protocol that is versatile and robust. It allows easy handling and communication between devices, making it suitable for retrofitting older machines that already speak Modbus, or implementing it in newer machines where Modbus can easily be added. The solution focuses on simplicity, allowing customers to connect their equipment to the Internet through a plug-and-work approach. Modbus Cloud Connect comes with four building blocks that customers typically need: hardware, connectivity, self-service portal, and support.

The Modbus Cloud Connect self-service portal provides a user-friendly experience that is accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise. The portal allows customers to easily configure and manage their Modbus devices and seamlessly transmit the information to Datacake for visualisation on a graphical dashboard. The focus on user experience sets Modbus Cloud Connect apart from other more complex systems by providing a streamlined and straightforward solution.

Datacake provided detailed information in their documentation, including a video tutorial to guide users through the process.

By optimising service operations, companies can prevent unnecessary service calls, reduce energy consumption and cut operating costs by optimising machine settings. A proactive approach minimises downtime and prevents costly production disruptions, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction. By capturing and storing equipment usage and maintenance data, organisations can demonstrate compliance and reduce the risk of litigation related to warranty claims, equipment failure or negligence.

grandcentrix’s journey from its app development roots to becoming one of the IoT industry leaders reflects its commitment to innovation, collaboration and customer-centric solutions. Leveraging Datacake and other cutting-edge technologies, grandcentrix continues to drive transformational change in the IoT landscape, enabling businesses to harness the full potential of connected devices and data.