Since the end of April, an initial version of the cloud-based, open IoT operating system MindSphere from Siemens has been available on Microsoft Azure . Select customers and partners of both companies can access MindSphere solutions via the cloud computing platform and begin developing, implementing and testing industrial IoT solutions. MindSphere will be made generally available on Microsoft Azure in the fourth quarter of 2018. This step, which has been in the works for some time , is the group’s response to the demand of its customers, explained Steve Bashada, Executive Vice President of Siemens Cloud Application Services.

MindSphere offers a development environment that uses both the open PaaS functions from Siemens and the access to AWS cloud services. The focus will now lie on expanding the ecosystem surrounding the IoT system worldwide to establish it as the standard for the industrial Internet. Companies such as sensor specialist Sick , machine manufacturer Heller and robot manufacturer Kuka joined forces in early 2018 to form the Mindsphere World user association. At this year’s Hannover Messe, several members presented concrete applications, including Festo , Eisenmann , and Rittal . A stream of new candidates are joining their ranks, and the consortium is apparently planning a branch in Italy.