💡Overview
Technical and strategic overview of the FLECS Marketplace – the modular platform for industrial software distribution, licensing, and monetization.
Revolutionizing Industrial Automation
The FLECS Marketplace is not just an app store. It is a comprehensive, modular platform that enables industrial companies to discover, deliver, monetize, and manage software-based services across devices and customers.
As part of the FLECS ecosystem, the Marketplace stands at the center of a new era in industrial automation – one where open platforms, digital business models, and software-defined machines are the new standard.
💡 Why the FLECS Marketplace?
A New Dimension in Automation Technology
The industrial automation world is undergoing rapid transformation. Most modern PLCs and controllers now run on standardized Intel or ARM architectures, powered by Linux-based operating systems. Hardware has become flexible and cost-efficient — but software distribution remains fragmented and siloed.
The FLECS Marketplace solves this challenge by offering the fastest-growing, independent app ecosystem in industrial automation – enabling a new layer of modular, upgradeable, and monetizable automation capabilities.
🔍 Core Concepts
The Marketplace serves two main roles:
💼 For Vendors and Developers A place to publish, license, and manage apps and services - under your own brand.
🏭 For Device Owners and System Integrators A simple way to install, configure, and update industrial software - across machines and sites.
🧱 Marketplace Architecture
The platform is composed of:
Backend Services Vendor and app registration, license engine, compatibility matching, CI/CD integration.
Marketplace Frontend App browser, metadata filters, version logs, visual UI – accessible via browser or FLECS WebApp.
White-Labeled Marketplaces Custom storefronts under your brand, with isolated catalogs, themes, and rules.
FLECS Core Integration Seamless app deployment, OTA updates, and device-level licensing enforcement.
🧰 Features for Software Vendors
✅ Vendor Dashboard
Every vendor gets a dedicated portal to:
Upload and update applications
Define app metadata, tags, categories, and requirements
Choose monetization models and licensing rules
Track usage, support links, changelogs
Manage product visibility (public, customer-specific)
💸 Monetization & Licensing
Apps can be distributed:
Free and open (no license required)
One-time purchase (per installation)
Subscription-based (monthly/yearly)
Usage-based (API-driven license checks)
The license manager handles activation keys, expiration, usage limits, and pricing tiers. All licensing logic is enforced on the device through FLECS Core.
🎨 White-Labeled Marketplaces (Branch Marketplace)
FLECS enables OEMs, system integrators, and software companies to create their own branded App Store, hosted on FLECS infrastructure.
Key features:
Custom UI with your logo, colors, domain
Filtered app catalog (only your apps or curated selection)
Private or public access levels
CI/CD integration for your own toolchain
Control over pricing, support, and updates
💡 This gives you all the power of a marketplace – without building it yourself.
🔍 App Discovery & Installation
End users can:
Browse apps via browser or directly inside the FLECS WebApp
Search by category, protocol, supported device, runtime
View metadata, licensing, changelogs, compatibility
Install apps to local devices with one click
Receive updates and rollback when needed
Apps can define:
Supported CPU architectures
System requirements and interfaces
App permissions and exposed ports
Tags for device or use-case compatibility
🚀 Device Onboarding Service (D-O-S)
For bulk deployments, the Device Onboarding Service automates:
Assigning apps and licenses during provisioning
Applying configuration bundles on first startup
Registering devices to customer groups
Triggering setup via QR code or token-based links
Benefits:
Consistent setup across fleets
Reduced provisioning time and errors
Automated configuration enforcement
🧑💼 My Account – Personal Access & Control
Each user gets access to a personal account dashboard:
Manage login and access rights
Track orders and app usage
Request quotes and licenses
Manage billing and subscription settings
Store contact and delivery information
User roles can be configured to distinguish between engineering, purchasing, or support staff.
🔐 Security & Access Management
The Marketplace is designed for enterprise security:
TLS-encrypted connections
OAuth2 authentication
Role-based access (Admin, Editor, Read-only)
License integrity enforcement via Core
Secure app validation pipeline
Activity logs and access auditing
🔄 CI/CD Integration & Automation
For vendors and internal DevOps:
REST API for publishing apps and updating metadata
CLI tools for upload and automation
GitHub/GitLab CI support for continuous publishing
Integration into your own developer portal or build system
You can fully automate app testing, publishing, licensing, and validation flows.
🔧 Built on FLECS Core
The Marketplace is fully integrated with FLECS Core, which runs on the device and:
Executes installed apps securely
Handles updates and rollback
Enforces license policies
Communicates with the Marketplace backend
🌍 Empowering the Industrial Ecosystem
FLECS is built to serve everyone in industrial automation:
Machine builders launching smart machines
OEMs bundling digital services
Factory operators streamlining updates and scaling software
App vendors entering industrial markets
System integrators managing diverse hardware setups
And the best part: FLECS never sits between you and your customer. You own the relationship. We just provide the infrastructure.
✅ Summary
With the FLECS Marketplace, you can:
Launch a full industrial App Store without development effort
Monetize and license digital services
Deliver software and updates at scale
Whitelabel the entire experience to match your brand
Empower both engineers and business users
Stay in full control of access, visibility, and customer touchpoints
🎯 FLECS Marketplace is your gateway to modular, software-defined automation.
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