From Component to Solution: Double your Margins with Software
Transform from hardware supplier to complete solution provider. Turn industrial components into intelligent, software-powered systems. Deploy and manage software, ensure CRA compliance, unlock recurring revenues, and build deeper customer relationships through your branded platform.
TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
The Reality of Software at the Component Level
From Isolated Component Software to Scalable Solutions
Industrial components are becoming increasingly powerful and more and more often enhanced by software.
For component manufacturers, this creates a structural challenge:
Good software often never reaches the market, or only with significant friction.
Component software is typically developed in isolation:
In-house software features
Diagnostics, connectivity, condition monitoring, or optimization logic developed directly at the component level.
Dependency on machine builders
To reach the end customer, software must be integrated into machines, approved, and operated by OEMs.
No direct access to plant operators
Component manufacturers invest in development and responsibility, but often lack a consistent channel for operation, updates, and monetization.
For component manufacturers, this means:
Innovative software features remain unused, are never rolled out,
or disappear in the integration effort along the value chain
The result:
Missed revenue opportunities, limited scalability, high support effort,
and low visibility of the true value of your components.
How FLECS Changes the Situation
FLECS makes component software market-ready
With FLECS, component manufacturers gain a structured software layer to deliver digital functionality reliably:
One Platform
Software is packaged, delivered, and operated in a standardized way. Independent of machines or OEMs.
One Lifecycle
Updates, versions, security patches, and end-of-life processes follow a clear, controlled lifecycle.
One Ecosystem
Your software reaches machine builders and operators through an established platform. Integratable into OEM marketplaces without creating direct customer conflicts.
You remain in control of your software:
- Development, maintenance, and updates of your applications
- Clear responsibilities for operation and security
- Monetization of software features and digital services
- Scaling across many machines and OEMs
The foundation for Software Defined Industrial Components
and for new revenue models, longer product lifecycles, and CRA compliance.
What You Can Achieve with FLECS
Extend Hardware with Software
Add smart features, apps, and logic directly into your components.
Become a System Provider
Offer complete solutions beyond just hardware.
New Revenue Streams
Generate recurring software revenue.
Deploy Updates with Confidence
Deliver firmware and application updates securely over-the-air or on-prem.
30 min • no preparation required
Why now?
Software Defined Automation for Industrial Components
With FLECS, your components become intelligent, software-driven devices. We provide the runtime, app infrastructure, and update mechanics so that your industrial components:
host their own apps or modules
receive OTA updates from the cloud or a local server
run secure, version-controlled software inside their firmware.
This Software Defined Automation enables you to offer new value, feature updates, diagnostics, and services directly via your components.
CRA Compliance Built In
Be CRA-Compliant by Default with FLECS
The EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for all connected products, including industrial components. The CRA will be fully enforced by December 2027. But the first reporting and compliance requirements already start in 2026. With FLECS, your devices become CRA-ready by default without disrupting your proven hardware or software workflows.
How FLECS Helps You Meet CRA Requirements
Implement Vulnerability Management & SBOM
Gain full visibility into your software stack with a built-in Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and detect potential risks before deployment.
Deliver Signed, Secure Updates
Roll out cryptographically signed and validated updates. Either over-the-air (OTA) via FLECS Cloud or fully self-hosted on-prem infrastructure.
Control Access with RBAC and Audit Logs
Enforce role-based access control and track all security-relevant actions with full audit logging for compliance and traceability.
Establish Disclosure Workflows
Prepare for your CRA obligations with integrated disclosure workflows and ready-made ENISA reporting channels.
CRA-Ready Apps from the FLECS Marketplace
Many of our 60+ standard apps support your CRA compliance efforts out of the box:
- Secure VPN access to machines
- Managed software update provisioning for components
- Monitoring and alerting tools for incident visibility
Explore how FLECS helps you meet technical requirements and streamline operations all within your own branded ecosystem.
*Based on Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, Annex I–IV
97% Cost Reduction Compared to Custom Development
Why spend millions on custom development when you can leverage our proven platform?
Industry Average
Custom App Store Development
Traditional service provider approach
€ 1,000,000
€ 300,000
€ 1,000,000
€ 2,500,000+
Recommended
FLECS Platform
Ready-to-use marketplace solution
€ 0
€ 25,000
Included
€ 125,000
How Baumüller transformed their business
The Challenge
Baumüller needed to compete with software-first automation providers offering complete solutions - not just hardware. They also wanted to modernize software distribution without losing control of the customer relationship.
The Transformation
Using FLECS, Baumüller launched their own branded software marketplace in just weeks. This new platform enabled them to monetize software modules, streamline transactions, and manage licenses - all while keeping full control over branding and customer data.
"FLECS gives us a direct channel to sell software like our OPC UA server. Transactions run out-of-the-box, and the backend makes managing products, licenses, and customers simple and efficient."
Your brand, your marketplace
Launch a branded digital marketplace for your industrial components in minutes, not months.
See how much additional revenue you can generate
Calculate the potential financial impact of adding software to your hardware business.
Annual Hardware Revenue
$1,000,000
Number of Component Types
5
Target Software Attachment Rate
30%
300,000
Additional Revenue
180,000
Profit Increase
142%
First Year ROI
Software updates also extend the lifecycle of your components and make them compatible with future systems, without redesign.
Build Your Own Branded Automation Platform
Create a fully branded software experience - from the device interface to the app store, without building your own infrastructure.
The FLECS Platform
Marketplace
Distribute apps internally or as a business model with public/private repositories and flexible licensing.
Whitelabeling
Tailor the user experience to your brand identity - from WebApp Ul to your own marketplace domain.
The software experience stays under your brand, not ours.
Core
Open runtime for Linux-based controllers with app lifecycle management, connectivity, and system integration.
Run Container Apps modules and diagnostics inside the component itself.
WebApp
Browser-based interface for managing apps, updates, networks, and roles - remotely or locally.
Additional Ressources
Available Subscription Plans
Starter
For teams just getting started
Basic
Your look. Your apps.
Premium
Full control of experience
Enterprise
Enterprise-scale platform
Baumüller Marketplace
Custom branded marketplace powered by FLECS
Discover all features and capabilities
Accelerate Innovation. Unlock Your Digital Potential.
FLECS offers more than a platform – we deliver the expertise to make your vision a reality, from customization to training and strategy.
Custom Engineering
- Industrial app development
- Custom Linux image creation
- System architecture consulting
Platform Customization
- WebApp branding & UI extensions
- Custom APIs & plugins
- ERP & CRM system integration
Security & Lifecycle
- Vulnerability scans & assessments
- CRA compliance readiness
- OTA update strategies & CI/CD
Training & Enablement
Empower your team with targeted learning paths for FLECS Core, App Development, CI/CD & DevOps for Industrial Use, with remote or on-site training sessions.
Digital Strategy & Consulting
Build sustainable digital business models with strategic consulting for app-based revenue, go-to-market support, and monetization workshops.
Let's build your digital business – faster, smarter, together.
Our professional services team is ready to help you succeed.
Your journey to becoming a system provider
1
Assessment & Strategy
We analyze your hardware portfolio and identify software opportunities.
4-6 Weeks
2
Marketplace Setup
Custom branding and configuration of your digital platform.
2-4 Weeks
3
Integration with Hardware
Connect your physical components with digital capabilities.
3-6 Weeks
4
Launch & Scale
Go to market and continuously expand your offerings.
Ongoing
Hardware-Only vs. Hardware+Software Margins
Interactive chart showing profit comparison
Market Insights
76% of customers prefer integrated solutions over standalone components.
38% higher customer retention with software-enhanced hardware.
8x faster time-to-market for new capabilities with software updates.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does “Software Defined Industrial Components” mean?
Software Defined Components are hardware devices, such as PLCs, edge controllers or gateways, that can be extended and updated through software. With FLECS, you enable your existing hardware to host apps, deploy features and deliver updates without redesigning the device.
How does FLECS help with CRA compliance?
FLECS supports CRA compliance with built-in SBOM visibility, secure update mechanisms, access control, logging, and disclosure workflows. All ready to use and fully integrated.
Can I run software directly inside the component?
Yes. FLECS Core runs on Linux-based hardware and allows you to deploy and manage container-based apps inside your component. Either through the cloud or local infrastructure.
What if I don’t have apps yet?
FLECS provides open-source App Templates that make it easy to create your first apps. You can also integrate third-party apps or partner solutions from our ecosystem.
Do I need cloud infrastructure?
No. FLECS is cloud-native but not cloud-dependent. You can deploy updates and apps using either cloud services or self-hosted servers, depending on your infrastructure and security needs.
Ready to increase your margins by 2.5x?
Join industry leaders who have transformed from component suppliers to complete solution providers.
- Embed software capabilities directly within your components
- Deploy and manage updates in-field
- Ensure CRA compliance for embedded products
- Generate recurring revenue from component-level software
- Launch a branded app experience in months, not years
