Softing Industrial Gateways, edgeConnector and .neo Routers

Softing Industrial Automation GmbH, based in Haar near Munich, Germany, and part of Softing AG, connects automation components so that shop-floor data can be used for control and analysis. It addresses the gap between fieldbus-based PLCs and IT or cloud systems that expect OPC UA, MQTT or REST data.

The portfolio has three layers. Hardware gateways handle multi-protocol conversion inside the control process, give parallel access to field devices for asset management and IIoT monitoring, and expose controller data to local applications and the cloud. Docker-based software modules such as edgeConnector (controller connectivity), edgeAggregator (OPC UA aggregation server) and smartLink SW-PN or SW-HT run on Azure IoT Edge or AWS IoT Greengrass devices. For remote access, the MRX, ECR and SCR, MIRO, MOROS.neo and MRX.neo VPN routers work with Softing Connectivity Services. Customers are machine builders, plant operators and system integrators.

• Multi-protocol gateways: convert protocols between controllers and field devices in both directions.
• Parallel device access: reach field devices beside the PLC for asset management and IIoT monitoring.
• edgeConnector: Docker module that connects controllers and machines to IIoT applications.
• edgeAggregator: OPC UA aggregation server with an IoT connection.
• smartLink SW-PN and SW-HT: PROFINET asset management access point and software HART multiplexer.
• .neo VPN routers: MOROS.neo and MRX.neo run icom OS for remote maintenance, IoT and monitoring.

A Vietnamese chemical or cement plant can use HART multiplexing and parallel gateways to feed device diagnostics into asset management software. An automotive parts supplier can stream Siemens PLC data through edgeConnector into an MES or cloud dashboard. A machine builder can ship MOROS.neo routers for remote service of exported equipment.

Plant teams can pull data from existing PLCs and field devices without changing control programs, because gateways can sit parallel to the controller. Containerized connectors deploy on standard edge platforms such as Azure IoT Edge and AWS IoT Greengrass, avoiding custom middleware. Secure VPN routers with internal LTE options support remote maintenance of machines worldwide. Softing's product development process is certified by TUV Sud to IEC 62443-4-1.

Factories are moving from isolated fieldbus islands to OPC UA and MQTT data flows that feed MES, analytics and AI. Container-based edge software is becoming the norm, and IEC 62443 cybersecurity requirements are spreading into supplier selection. Southeast Asian plants with mixed PROFIBUS, PROFINET and HART equipment need retrofit connectivity rather than full control system replacement.

Softing Industrial Automation GmbH is located at Richard-Reitzner-Allee 6, Haar, Germany, and belongs to Softing AG. It holds TUV Sud IEC 62443-4-1 certification for its secure development process and is a member of PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, OPC Foundation, ZVEI, VDMA, ODVA and FieldComm Group. It will exhibit at SPS 2026 in Nuremberg.