Protocol connectivity OPC-UA / Modbus / MQTT
We speak the language of your plants: OPC-UA, Modbus (TCP/RTU), and MQTT, plus S7 communication and Profinet and BACnet bridges. Heterogeneous devices end up in one consistent, cleanly named data model.
Retrofit & machine-data capture
Existing machines without a documented interface become connectable - via available PLC registers, added sensors, or reading local HMIs. You get data out of plants that were never designed for the cloud.
IoT Software Development
We build the software at the machine and the network edge: edge agents, protocol gateways for OPC-UA, Modbus, and MQTT, retrofit of existing plants, and secure edge-to-cloud pipelines. Operated sovereignly - on your hardware or in European data centers.
- OPC-UA · Modbus · MQTT
- Edge-Agents
- Retrofit
- Edge-to-cloud
- SPSOPC UA
- Bufferoffline-capable
- UplinkMQTT over TLS
Why the device and edge layer?
A cloud platform alone gets you no machine data
The hard part of IoT is not the dashboard, it is down at the machine. Every plant speaks a different protocol, existing machines often have no documented interface at all, plant connectivity is flaky, and OT networks must not simply touch the internet. That layer - devices, protocols, edge - is exactly what we build.
- Machines with proprietary protocols and no documented interface
- PLC data only visible locally on the HMI
- Cloud dashboards that lose values on connection loss
- Devices without identity, certificates, or update path
- OT and IT networks connected without separation
What we build
Six building blocks for the device and edge layer
We deliver software that runs robustly at the network edge, makes existing plants connectable, and passes data upward securely and without gaps. Implemented sovereignly with open-source components - on your hardware or in European data centers, without dependence on US hyperscalers.
Edge agents & gateways
Software that runs right at the network edge on an industrial PC, gateway, or existing controller. It collects machine data locally, buffers on connection loss, and decides on site - instead of pushing every reading to the cloud first.
Firmware and embedded-adjacent development
Where off-the-shelf software is not enough, we work close to the hardware: resource-frugal agents, drivers for special interfaces, device-side logic with an update mechanism. Stable in the field for years.
Edge-to-cloud data pipelines
Store-and-forward instead of data loss: values are buffered at the edge and reliably transported via MQTT or Kafka into your backend - even over flaky cellular or plant connectivity. No gaps in the history.
Secure device connectivity
Every device gets its own identity and certificate, communication runs TLS-encrypted. Compromised devices can be revoked individually - without shared passwords or open tunnels into the plant network.
From the protocol adapter to the secure pipeline - we build the software that makes your plants connectable, robust, and auditable.
Use cases
Where IoT software makes the difference
Anywhere physical devices and machines need to reliably deliver data and be connected securely.
Mechanical engineering / Industry 4.0
OEMs and operators who need production data from modern and older plants - for OEE, condition monitoring, and service. We deliver the capture and connectivity layer that the machine fleet reliably feeds.Retrofit of existing machines
Make plants from 10 or 20 years of operation digitally connectable without replacing them. Via existing controllers or retrofitted sensors we extract data and create the basis for analysis and remote access.Utilities / smart metering (LoRaWAN)
Energy, water, and heat with distributed meters and radio sensors. Via LoRaWAN we capture battery-powered devices across large areas and consolidate the values into a clean, billing-grade pipeline.Buildings / smart building
Properties with heating, ventilation, meters, and sensors over BACnet, Modbus, and MQTT. We connect building technology across vendors and create a unified data basis for operations and energy management.
Process
From protocol audit to a rolled-out device fleet
- 01
Discovery & protocol audit
We survey machine fleet, protocols, network, and compliance. Output: a clear connectivity concept with data model, edge architecture, and a binding fixed price - predictable instead of time and materials.
- 02
Edge software & pilot
We build agents, protocol adapters, and pipeline and roll them out on a first machine or site. This lets you validate data quality, robustness, and security before the whole fleet follows.
- 03
Rollout & operations
Scaling to the entire fleet with device identities, update mechanism, and monitoring. Optional managed-operations contract or handover to your team with documentation and runbooks.
A clearly defined check
Define the IoT architecture before the investment
Devices, protocols, data path, platform, network separation and operating model are assessed and documented.
IoT architecture checkfrom €1,490 excl. VATone-time
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most important questions
- This page concerns the software right at the device and machine: edge agents, protocol gateways (OPC-UA, Modbus, MQTT), and secure connectivity. The visualization and analysis of the captured data is handled by our Data Platforms. The operation of a ready IoT platform such as ThingsBoard or ChirpStack lives in the IoT product hub. We often combine all three layers in one project.
- On the industrial side primarily OPC-UA, Modbus (TCP/RTU), and MQTT, plus S7 communication, Profinet and Profibus bridges, BACnet for buildings, and LoRaWAN for radio sensors. Where a device only speaks a proprietary or undocumented protocol, we analyze the interface and encapsulate it in an edge adapter.
- Yes. We run inference for anomaly detection, pre-classification, or image analysis directly on the edge device, so machine data does not have to leave the site and decisions are made without cloud latency. Training and larger AI features we couple with our AI software development.
- The edge component runs on your hardware on site - industrial PC, gateway, or existing controller. The cloud side we operate on your infrastructure or in European data centers (Hetzner, IONOS, OVHcloud, STACKIT), privacy-focused and without dependence on US hyperscalers. The stack is based on open-source components.
- Devices receive their own identities and certificates, communication runs TLS-encrypted, and we separate OT and IT networks via defined transitions instead of flat connections. Access is logged. This meets the requirements of NIS2 and common critical-infrastructure rules.
- We start with an IoT architecture check that clarifies machine fleet, protocols, network, and compliance. On that basis you receive a binding fixed price - predictable instead of time and materials. We agree the concrete scope individually with you.
How it fits
Where IoT software development fits into our services
This page owns the device, edge, and protocol layer. If your goal is visualization and analysis of the data, our Data Platforms are the right place. If you are looking for the operation of a ready IoT platform such as ThingsBoard or ChirpStack, the IoT product hub takes you further.
Data Platforms
Visualization & analysis of the captured data
AI Software Development
Predictive maintenance & anomaly AI on the data
Remote Maintenance Software
Remote maintenance of the rolled-out device fleet
IoT product hub
Operation of hosted IoT platforms
ThingsBoard
Open-source IoT platform, hosted in the EU
ChirpStack
Sovereign LoRaWAN network server
Knowledge
Related Tutorials & Guides
Basics in the knowledge hub
Software development
Blog
- Industry 4.0 in Hamm: LoRaWAN Sensors for Manufacturing and Chemical PlantsHamm is an industrial location with a long tradition. From chemical parks to metalworking companies and food producers - Hamm's industry is diverse. Many production...
- IoT App & Platform Development Costs: What Does an IoT Project Really Cost?IoT platform projects are not standard app projects. Firmware, protocols, time-series databases, real-time dashboards – each layer has its own cost drivers. This article explains...
- IoT Solutions for Australia: Remote Monitoring, LoRaWAN & Managed HostingMining in the Pilbara, water treatment in the Outback, solar farms in South Australia - Australia's key industries operate across vast distances under extreme conditions....
Reviews & projects
Software projects with reliable outcomes
Proof for modernization, API extension, architecture, deployment and ongoing operations.
WZ-IT moved our studio infrastructure from decentralised individual devices to a central platform: every site is securely connected via VPN, new devices are onboarded automatically and an entire site is provisioned from a template, without manual steps on location. What impressed me most is the breadth and depth of their knowledge: Timo and Robin are not a typical IT provider who sets up a server and leaves. The two of them think their way into highly complex infrastructure and software topics, work through every requirement we put in front of them, and build networking, provisioning and operations so that everything fits together in the end. WZ-IT is an excellent partner for complex software, network and architecture projects.
Steve KirchnerManaging Director, nextGYM GmbH
International
Built in Germany's Ruhr Valley. Running worldwide.
WZ-IT designs, develops and operates infrastructure and software for clients in Germany and internationally. We deliver projects remotely and continue supporting them in ongoing operations after go-live.
Selected projects
- LiveRemote access platform for distributed water treatment plantsABCO Water Systems · Australia · Secure Access & OT
- 81%AWS migration with substantially lower operating costsEVA Real Estate · UAE · Cloud exit & infrastructure
- 98%Provision new sites in minutes instead of hoursnextGYM GmbH · Germany · Automation & IoT
Read client reviews
- Modernize your legacy software
- Ship your prototype to production
- Design an open-source AI architecture
- Plan a sovereign open-source stack
- Secure your Proxmox & backup setup
- Modernize your infrastructure - sovereign
- Integrate a local AI solution
- Cut cloud cost - up to −81%
- Build a high-availability Proxmox cluster
- Virtualize with Managed Proxmox
- Get collaboration fully managed
- Connect sites and clusters securely
Enquiry
Assess an IoT software project
Describe devices, data flow, users, and the functions of the planned application.
- Straight with Timo and Robin - no sales team, no pitch
- An honest take, including when we are not the right fit
- Concrete next steps for infrastructure, software or AI
No risk: worst case, you leave with a clearer understanding of your project than before.
WZ-IT's advice on our Azure migration was technically sound and completely non-binding right from the intro call - we took away a great deal.