From stalled machines to smart factories: how Siemens’ Mendix connects IT and OT

Learn more about Mendix.

Raffaello shows why technologies like AI and low-code are no longer just ‘future buzzwords’, but a real necessity. Today, if you order a car, you expect it to be delivered quickly and exactly how you want it. But what if you order a car and after a year and a half are told you’ll have to wait even longer? Sadly, that’s no exception. 

Why? Because the industry struggles to deliver customized products at scale. While customers expect hyper-personalized products, many factories are still running on outdated systems and processes.

The factory today: a jungle of systems and Excel sheets

Over the years, companies have built a spaghetti of systems — from ERP and MES [a Manufacturing Execution System, red.] to custom software and yes, even Excel. “Sometimes, MES is just a fancy Excel sheet,” Raffaello notes. This tangle of disconnected systems causes smart production lines to grind to a halt. And sure, you can deploy AI, but if your data is stuck in silos, you won’t get far.

Why IT and OT need to work together

Factories are filled with dozens of machines, sensors, and IT systems operating side by side. OT ensures the machines do what they need to do. IT manages the data and processes around them. But without collaboration, everything gets lost in translation. Raffaello argues: if you want to manufacture flexibly and efficiently — and anticipate customer needs and quality issues — IT and OT must join forces. And that’s exactly where low-code comes in.

Low-code as the bridge between worlds

Low-code offers a way to smartly connect IT and OT, without endless coding projects. With Mendix, companies can build their own apps that do exactly what they need. For example, to make machine data instantly available to people on the shop floor, or to automate supplier workflows on the fly.

And it doesn’t have to live in the cloud. Many factories demand that sensitive data stays local. That’s why Mendix runs on the edge (right next to the machines), on-premise, or in the cloud — whatever fits best.

AI in the factory: not a hype, but real-life solutions

And what about AI? Raffaello shows that AI isn’t just a fun gimmick, but a practical tool for daily operations. Think of car factory inspectors who are automatically told where to check, based on previous issues and real-time production data. Or the ability to combine design, stock, and supply chain data at the press of a button — no more clicking through five different systems, but everything in one place. Smart, fast, and practical.

Low-code speeds up innovation — and avoids falling behind

The demand for new apps and solutions in the manufacturing sector is exploding. Companies want to be more agile, improve processes, and meet new regulations. But traditional IT teams can’t keep up. According to Raffaello, some companies face a backlog of eight years. Low-code helps to wipe out that backlog. And not just for IT teams, business users, the people who know exactly what’s needed on the ground, can start building apps themselves.

Studio Pro and jumpstarters: accelerate industrial app development

With Studio Pro, Mendix’s all-in-one low-code development environment, users can easily build powerful apps. From designing user-friendly interfaces to connecting data from various systems and automating processes, all in one platform. Bonus: apps built in Studio Pro can be deployed flexibly: to the cloud, on-prem, or directly on the industrial edge. Perfect for the fast-paced demands of the shop floor. 

For companies looking to accelerate, Mendix also offers jumpstarters: ready-to-use templates for common industrial challenges, like SAP migration, CPQ processes, and supply chain optimization. These give companies a running start, no need to reinvent the wheel every time.

It’s not just about tech: it’s about people

But Raffaello makes it clear: technology is only step one. You have to bring your people along in this transformation. Because what’s the point of a fancy AI tool if no one knows how to use it? Success isn’t in the tool — it’s in how well people on the shop floor adopt it. 

That’s why Mendix also works on ready-to-use jumpstarters — app templates designed to solve real problems in the factory, from inventory management to quality control.

Siemens as a testbed

And here’s the kicker: Siemens, Mendix’s parent company, is the biggest user of Mendix. Globally, there are more than 700 Mendix apps running in Siemens factories. So Siemens isn’t just a customer, but a live test lab, which means Mendix learns daily what works (and what doesn’t). A powerful feedback loop: Siemens becomes more efficient, and Mendix keeps innovating based on real-world insights.