The shared software layer for industrial automation
Industrial automation doesn't suffer from a lack of innovation. It suffers from a scaling problem. FLECS provides the missing layer that connects software, devices, and distribution into one consistent, operational system.
30 min • no preparation required
Industrial automation has a scaling problem
Across the ecosystem, valuable software is built every day. By component manufacturers, machine builders, operators, and app vendors. But without a shared operational layer, fragmentation leads to repeated integration effort, unclear responsibilities, inconsistent updates, and increased security risk.
Machine Builders & OEMs
Every project repeats the same integration work. Updates become project risks. Responsibility across vendors stays unclear.
Component Manufacturers
Device software is delivered, but never operationally managed. Reaching multiple OEMs with updates requires disproportionate effort.
Plant Operators
Different tools for every machine, vendor, and generation. Software updates are unpredictable. Security posture is hard to assess.
App Vendors & Developers
Reaching industrial devices means building deployment infrastructure from scratch for every customer or staying out of the market entirely.
"This is not a technology problem. It is a structural one."
A two-layer platform built for industrial reality
FLECS is built around a clear separation between what runs on the device and what runs server-side. Together, these two form the shared software layer for industrial automation.
On the device · On-Premise
FLECS Core
On-Premise App Store (OTA + Offline)
Application Layer
Service Mesh – Pub/Sub Data Bus
Role-based Access Control
Reverse Proxy
WebApp
100% On-Premise · Offline-capable · No cloud dependency
Server · Cloud · Self-Hosted
Connected Services
App Management & App Catalog
App Store – Browse, purchase, license
Vendor Dashboard – Sales & Analytics
Fleet Management
Device Onboarding Service (D-O-S)
Security Scans
Identity Provider
Managed Tenant · Dedicated Instance · Self-Hosted
✓ Margo-compatible: FLECS supports the open Margo standard for edge application management. No proprietary lock-in.
Built for every role in the automation ecosystem
Whether you build machines, manufacture components, operate plants, or develop industrial software:
FLECS provides the operational foundation your role needs.
You ship machines. FLECS gives you the software infrastructure to make them updatable, extendable, and commercially scalable, without losing ownership or the customer relationship.
- Ship machines with a branded software platform, not just hardware
- Manage updates, options, and digital services across your entire fleet lifecycle
- Launch your own app marketplace — under your domain, your brand, your rules
You build great hardware. Your software should be just as scalable. FLECS gives you the path from delivery to ongoing, independent operation. Across every OEM you supply.
- Turn device software into a product you can update and maintain independently
- Reach multiple OEMs and operators without rebuilding distribution every time
- Meet CRA requirements with structured, auditable lifecycle management
You run machines from a dozen vendors. Each with its own tools, its own update rhythm, its own silo. Adding another platform rarely fixes that. FLECS is built on Margo, the open industry standard for edge application management, which means it works across vendors rather than replacing them with a new lock-in.
- One operational layer across every machine, vendor, and generation. No new silo
- Know exactly what's running where and who's responsible for it
- Apply security patches in a controlled, auditable way across the entire plant
You build great software. Getting it onto industrial devices shouldn't mean reinventing distribution for every customer. FLECS gives you the infrastructure to publish once and scale everywhere.
- Reach OEMs, operators, and integrators through curated marketplaces without building your own
- Keep full control over licensing, pricing, and who can access what
- Grow from a single app to a branded software ecosystem
FLECS Core - The on-device runtime
FLECS Core is an open-source runtime that runs on Linux-based industrial devices. PLCs, IPCs, and edge controllers. It provides the standardized execution and lifecycle environment for all industrial software. 100% on-premise. Offline-capable. No cloud dependency required.
Application Layer
Install, update, and roll back apps on any device - without touching it manually. Every app runs in its own isolated environment, so one bad update never takes down the rest.
Service Mesh - the Pub/Sub Data Bus
All apps on the device share data in real time - without needing to know about each other. Plug-and-play connectivity to the industrial protocols you already use.
Role-based Access Control
Control who can do what - on every device. Works with the identity systems you already have. Every action is logged.
Reverse Proxy
Every app on the device gets its own browser-accessible UI - automatically. No port forwarding, no manual certificates, no network configuration headaches.
WebApp
Manage every device from a browser - locally or remotely. Looks and feels like your product, not ours. Fully white-labelable with your brand, colors, and terminology.
On-Premise App Store
Push updates over the air - or deploy completely offline. Devices keep running whether they're connected to the cloud or not. No internet dependency, ever.
Connected Services - The platform layer
Connected Services is the server-side layer that manages, distributes, and connects software across all FLECS-enabled devices. It provides the full toolkit for app management, fleet operations, distribution, security, and business tooling. Deployable as a managed tenant, dedicated instance, or fully self-hosted.
App & Distribution
App Management & Catalog
One place to manage every app from first release to end-of-life. Define exactly what each customer or machine type can install and combine your own software with 50+ ready-to-use industrial apps from the FLECS ecosystem.
App Store
Your customers browse, buy, and activate apps - in your branded store, under your domain. You set the pricing model, curate the catalog, and own the experience end to end.
Vendor Dashboard
See what's selling, what's installed, and what needs attention, across every customer and device. Your software business, in one dashboard.
Fleet & Operations
Fleet Management
Every device in your fleet visible at a glance: version, status, connectivity. Push an update to one machine or ten thousand, with full control over timing and rollout scope.
Device Onboarding (D-O-S)
Ship devices pre-configured. They're ready for the customer on first boot. No manual setup, no on-site technician required. Scale shipment volumes without scaling your service team.
Staged Rollouts & Update Management
Roll out gradually, monitor progress, and stop if something looks wrong. Software updates stop being a one-off risk and start being a routine operational task.
Security & Identity
Security Scans
Know what's vulnerable before your customers do. Structured patching, signed updates, and CRA compliance. Built into the platform, not bolted on as an afterthought.
Identity Provider
Use the identity systems you already trust. FLECS fits into your existing access model. Your users, your directories, your rules. Not the other way around.
Three ways to operate Connected Services
Choose the deployment model that fits your infrastructure, compliance requirements, and scale. FLECS Core on the device remains fully on-premise regardless of which option you choose.
Standard
Managed Tenant
Shared infrastructure, isolated tenant. Hosted and maintained by FLECS. Fastest path to production.
- No infrastructure to manage
- Shared platform, dedicated tenant environment
- Full data isolation
- Fastest time to value
- Hosted in Germany
Recommended
Dedicated Instance
Your own isolated instance. Hosted by FLECS on dedicated infrastructure. Ideal for enterprise and white-label setups.
- Full isolation from other tenants
- Custom domain and branding
- Hosted and maintained by FLECS
- Scalable to any fleet size
Enterprise
Self-Hosted
Full platform on your own servers. Maximum control, data sovereignty, and integration flexibility.
- Runs on your own infrastructure
- Full control over data and configuration
- Integration with existing IT systems
- Enterprise Edition license required
On-premise always: FLECS Core on the device stays fully on-premise, independent of which Connected Services deployment model you choose.
Why teams choose FLECS
Hardware-independent by design
Runs wherever Linux runs. From PLCs to edge servers. Apps ship as standard containers. Portable and isolated by default.
Open Source Core
FLECS Core is fully open source and publicly available. No black box: inspect, extend, and verify.
Margo-compatible
Supports the open Margo standard for edge application management. Full interoperability, no proprietary lock-in.
CRA-ready by Design
Architecture supports EU Cyber Resilience Act compliance. Structured into the platform, not bolted on.
Fully Whitelabelable
From the device UI to the marketplace. Your brand, your customer relationships, your platform.
Try FLECS Core today
Open source, Linux-native, up and running in minutes. On your hardware or in a container.
Quick Install
One command to install on Debian, Ubuntu, or Yocto Linux:
curl -fsSL https://install.flecs.tech | bashPre-installed Devices
Hardware partners offer devices with FLECS Core pre-configured:
Ready to make industrial software scalable?
Whether you build machines, manufacture components, operate plants, or develop industrial software:
FLECS provides the shared foundation to do it consistently, securely, and at scale.
