🧑💻 App Vendors & Developers
This page explains how app vendors and developers use FLECS to build, package, distribute, and operate industrial apps at scale.
Build industrial apps that actually reach machines
Industrial software does not fail because of missing functionality. It fails because distribution, deployment, and operation do not scale.
App vendors and in-house development teams often build powerful tools: diagnostics, analytics, connectivity, optimization, but struggle to bring them reliably into production environments.
FLECS is designed to close this gap.
It provides the shared software layer that allows industrial apps to be built once and operated consistently across machines, OEMs, and environments.
Typical challenges for app vendors
App vendors and developers commonly face:
High effort to support different hardware and runtime environments
Custom deployment and update processes per customer or OEM
Limited access to machines and production environments
No scalable distribution channel into industrial systems
Operational overhead for licensing, updates, and lifecycle management
These challenges are not caused by the apps themselves. They arise from missing operational infrastructure.
How FLECS helps, structurally
FLECS provides a standardized runtime and lifecycle environment for industrial apps.
With FLECS, app vendors can:
package applications in a standardized container format
rely on a consistent runtime across Linux-based industrial devices
deploy and update apps through existing OEM or operator platforms
focus on application logic instead of infrastructure
Your app integrates into an existing ecosystem, instead of becoming yet another standalone tool.
Build once, run everywhere
FLECS is built for Linux-based industrial systems and cloud-native environments.
This enables app vendors to:
run the same app on PLCs, IPCs, edge devices, and servers
support on-prem, hybrid, and cloud-based deployments
avoid vendor-specific execution environments
Apps are packaged once and then operated consistently, regardless of where they run.
Distribution without customer takeover
Industrial software distribution is sensitive.
OEMs own the system. Operators own the operation.
FLECS respects this structure.
App vendors can:
publish apps via OEM- or operator-controlled marketplaces
offer apps as part of curated machine platforms
retain control over licensing, pricing, and support
FLECS does not position app vendors between OEMs and operators. It provides the infrastructure that allows collaboration without conflict.
Marketplace access and visibility
The FLECS ecosystem includes 70+ standard industrial apps and a growing network of vendors.
As an app vendor, you benefit from:
access to existing industrial customer environments
standardized publishing and update workflows
reduced integration effort per customer
For advanced use cases, app vendors can also:
operate their own branded branch marketplaces
focus on specific industries or vertical solutions
Lifecycle, updates, and reliability built in
Industrial customers expect software to be maintainable over many years.
FLECS supports this expectation by providing:
versioned app releases
controlled update and rollback mechanisms
compatibility checks and dependency handling
clear visibility into deployed versions
This reduces operational risk for customers and support effort for vendors.
Security and compliance support
Security is a prerequisite for industrial software adoption.
FLECS supports secure operation through:
container-based isolation
encrypted communication
role-based access control
audit logging and traceability
This helps app vendors meet security and compliance requirements such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) without building their own security infrastructure.
Typical app vendor use cases
App vendors use FLECS to:
distribute industrial apps at scale
reduce customer-specific deployment effort
simplify updates and long-term maintenance
integrate into OEM and operator ecosystems
grow from single apps into software portfolios
Your next steps
Depending on your role and maturity, typical next steps include:
Developer Guides – build and package your first FLECS app
App Templates – use open-source templates for Python or Rust
Marketplace & Distribution – learn how apps are published and operated
APIs & CI/CD – integrate FLECS into your development workflows
FLECS enables app vendors to scale industrial software without becoming infrastructure providers.
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