Helmholz, established in 1988, is a specialized company in industrial communication, recognized as a leader in PROFINET and industrial networks [1, 20, 24]. The company provides Industry 4.0 solutions, focusing on creating tangible added value for customers' decision-making and automation tasks through new technologies and big data utilization [20]. Headquartered in Großenseebach, Germany, it aims to deliver innovative, market-oriented products and efficient support to customers globally through its network of sales offices and distributors [5, 17, 24].Helmholz,establishedin1988,isaspecializedcompanyinindustrialcommunication,recognizedasaleaderinPROFINETandindustrialnetworks[1,20,24].ThecompanyprovidesIndustry4.0solutions,focusingoncreatingtangibleaddedvalueforcustomers'decision-makingandautomationtasksthroughnewtechnologiesandbigdatautilization[20].HeadquarteredinGroßenseebach,Germany,itaimstodeliverinnovative,market-orientedproductsandefficientsupporttocustomersgloballythroughitsnetworkofsalesofficesanddistributors[5,17,24].
Key Products/TechnologiesKeyProducts/Technologies
Industrial Remote Solutions: Offers integrated systems for remote monitoring, control, and diagnostics, including Ethernet routers, the myREX24 portal, antennas, and accessories [25, 28]. The myREX24 V2 portal supports accessing system components and controlling data via a web browser [28].IndustrialRemoteSolutions:Offersintegratedsystemsforremotemonitoring,control,anddiagnostics,includingEthernetrouters,themyREX24portal,antennas,andaccessories[25,28].ThemyREX24V2portalsupportsaccessingsystemcomponentsandcontrollingdataviaawebbrowser[28].
Industrial Ethernet: Includes unmanaged and managed switches, PROFINET switches, IP67 switches, and SPE (Single Pair Ethernet) switches [1, 4, 10, 15, 25, 27]. The FLEXtra SLIM PROFINET switch optimizes network performance through PROFINET frame traffic prioritization and supports network integration via GSDML files, featuring an ultra-compact 49mm design for 5-port versions [4, 6, 15, 16, 23, 26]. Industrial NAT gateways/firewalls like the WALL IE Compact protect networks from external access and securely integrate machine networks into higher-level production networks by combining bridge and firewall functions [1, 4, 25]. RJ45 Ethernet connectors with EasyConnect® quick-connection technology reduce wiring time and are suitable for various industrial applications [1, 19].IndustrialEthernet:Includesunmanagedandmanagedswitches,PROFINETswitches,IP67switches,andSPE(SinglePairEthernet)switches[1,4,10,15,25,27].TheFLEXtraSLIMPROFINETswitchoptimizesnetworkperformancethroughPROFINETframetrafficprioritizationandsupportsnetworkintegrationviaGSDMLfiles,featuringanultra-compact49mmdesignfor5-portversions[4,6,15,16,23,26].IndustrialNATgateways/firewallsliketheWALLIECompactprotectnetworksfromexternalaccessandsecurelyintegratemachinenetworksintohigher-levelproductionnetworksbycombiningbridgeandfirewallfunctions[1,4,25].RJ45EthernetconnectorswithEasyConnect®quick-connectiontechnologyreducewiringtimeandaresuitableforvariousindustrialapplications[1,19].
Fieldbus Applications: Provides a range of gateways and couplers that enable communication between diverse industrial protocols such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, CAN Bus, ModbusTCP, EtherNet/IP, and MQTT [1, 3, 8, 11, 21, 25, 26, 30]. The PN/CAN gateway offers a straightforward solution for connecting CAN devices to a PROFINET network [11].FieldbusApplications:ProvidesarangeofgatewaysandcouplersthatenablecommunicationbetweendiverseindustrialprotocolssuchasPROFINET,PROFIBUS,EtherCAT,CANBus,ModbusTCP,EtherNet/IP,andMQTT[1,3,8,11,21,25,26,30].ThePN/CANgatewayoffersastraightforwardsolutionforconnectingCANdevicestoaPROFINETnetwork[11].
Diagnostic Tools: Offers hardware solutions like Cabinet Guard, Cable Guard, and Test Accesspoint TAP IE, along with software solutions such as the PROFINET Test Tool Pro [7, 9, 15, 19, 25]. The PROFINET Test Tool Pro supports performance testing, troubleshooting, real-time monitoring of PROFINET networks, and report generation according to PI (PROFIBUS & PROFINET International) guidelines [7, 9].DiagnosticTools:OffershardwaresolutionslikeCabinetGuard,CableGuard,andTestAccesspointTAPIE,alongwithsoftwaresolutionssuchasthePROFINETTestToolPro[7,9,15,19,25].ThePROFINETTestToolProsupportsperformancetesting,troubleshooting,real-timemonitoringofPROFINETnetworks,andreportgenerationaccordingtoPI(PROFIBUS&PROFINETInternational)guidelines[7,9].
Distributed Fieldbus I/O System: The TB20 system is a modular, compact I/O system compatible with major networks including PROFINET, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, and CANopen [12, 22, 25, 29, 31]. Its bus couplers integrate a power module, reducing part numbers and offering up to 67% space savings [22]. The TB20-ToolBoxV2 software aids in project creation, configuration, and online diagnostic monitoring of the system [29].DistributedFieldbusI/OSystem:TheTB20systemisamodular,compactI/OsystemcompatiblewithmajornetworksincludingPROFINET,PROFIBUS,EtherNet/IP,ModbusTCP,andCANopen[12,22,25,29,31].Itsbuscouplersintegrateapowermodule,reducingpartnumbersandofferingupto67%spacesavings[22].TheTB20-ToolBoxV2softwareaidsinprojectcreation,configuration,andonlinediagnosticmonitoringofthesystem[29].
Components for S7: Supplies cost-effective components for Siemens SIMATIC S7-1200 and S7-1500 series, including memory modules, input/output modules, front connectors DEA, and mounting rails [1, 12, 25, 31].ComponentsforS7:Suppliescost-effectivecomponentsforSiemensSIMATICS7-1200andS7-1500series,includingmemorymodules,input/outputmodules,frontconnectorsDEA,andmountingrails[1,12,25,31].
Core AdvantagesCoreAdvantages
Industrial Communication and Industry 4.0 Expertise: With over 35 years of extensive experience, the company holds deep expertise in industrial communication and PROFINET, delivering optimal solutions for Big Data utilization and digital transformation in the Industry 4.0 era [1, 2, 20, 24]. This core competency helps customers generate real added value through new technologies [20].IndustrialCommunicationandIndustry4.0Expertise:Withover35yearsofextensiveexperience,thecompanyholdsdeepexpertiseinindustrialcommunicationandPROFINET,deliveringoptimalsolutionsforBigDatautilizationanddigitaltransformationintheIndustry4.0era[1,2,20,24].Thiscorecompetencyhelpscustomersgeneraterealaddedvaluethroughnewtechnologies[20].
Innovative and User-Friendly Product Design: Aiming to provide perfect solutions for automation tasks, the company focuses on developing innovative products that are compact, simple, and maximize user-friendliness [4, 14, 17]. Proprietary technologies like EasyConnect® quick-connection technology reduce installation time and enhance field operational efficiency [1, 19].InnovativeandUser-FriendlyProductDesign:Aimingtoprovideperfectsolutionsforautomationtasks,thecompanyfocusesondevelopinginnovativeproductsthatarecompact,simple,andmaximizeuser-friendliness[4,14,17].ProprietarytechnologieslikeEasyConnect®quick-connectiontechnologyreduceinstallationtimeandenhancefieldoperationalefficiency[1,19].
Broad Protocol Compatibility and Flexible Integration: Its range of gateways and couplers supports various industrial protocols such as PROFINET, PROFIBUS, EtherCAT, CAN Bus, ModbusTCP, EtherNet/IP, and MQTT, enabling seamless communication and flexible network integration between heterogeneous systems [3, 8, 21, 30]. This facilitates the provision of customized solutions tailored to customer needs in complex industrial environments [3].BroadProtocolCompatibilityandFlexibleIntegration:ItsrangeofgatewaysandcouplerssupportsvariousindustrialprotocolssuchasPROFINET,PROFIBUS,EtherCAT,CANBus,ModbusTCP,EtherNet/IP,andMQTT,enablingseamlesscommunicationandflexiblenetworkintegrationbetweenheterogeneoussystems[3,8,21,30].Thisfacilitatestheprovisionofcustomizedsolutionstailoredtocustomerneedsincomplexindustrialenvironments[3].
High Quality and 'Made in Germany' Production: Maintaining DIN ISO 9001:2015 quality management system certification since 1999, the company directly manages or directs all product development and production processes from its German headquarters, ensuring high quality standards and reliability [2, 5, 17, 24]. This commitment promises consistent quality and stable business processes to customers [2].HighQualityand'MadeinGermany'Production:MaintainingDINISO9001:2015qualitymanagementsystemcertificationsince1999,thecompanydirectlymanagesordirectsallproductdevelopmentandproductionprocessesfromitsGermanheadquarters,ensuringhighqualitystandardsandreliability[2,5,17,24].Thiscommitmentpromisesconsistentqualityandstablebusinessprocessestocustomers[2].
Compact Design and Space Efficiency: Products like the FLEXtra SLIM switches are designed with ultra-compact dimensions to efficiently utilize limited space within control cabinets [4, 16, 27]. The TB20 I/O system integrates a power module, reducing component count and offering up to 67% space savings, thereby enhancing installation and maintenance convenience [22].CompactDesignandSpaceEfficiency:ProductsliketheFLEXtraSLIMswitchesaredesignedwithultra-compactdimensionstoefficientlyutilizelimitedspacewithincontrolcabinets[4,16,27].TheTB20I/Osystemintegratesapowermodule,reducingcomponentcountandofferingupto67%spacesavings,therebyenhancinginstallationandmaintenanceconvenience[22].
Enhanced Cybersecurity and Diagnostic Capabilities: Provides network segmentation and protection through NAT gateways/firewalls (WALL IE) and supports real-time network monitoring and diagnostics via the PROFINET Test Tool Pro, strengthening network stability [4, 7, 9]. Furthermore, the company is actively enhancing its industrial cybersecurity capabilities by planning the introduction of a security development process in accordance with IEC 62443-4 and collaborating with CERT@VDE to operate a PSIRT (Product Security Incident Response Team) [37].EnhancedCybersecurityandDiagnosticCapabilities:ProvidesnetworksegmentationandprotectionthroughNATgateways/firewalls(WALLIE)andsupportsreal-timenetworkmonitoringanddiagnosticsviathePROFINETTestToolPro,strengtheningnetworkstability[4,7,9].Furthermore,thecompanyisactivelyenhancingitsindustrialcybersecuritycapabilitiesbyplanningtheintroductionofasecuritydevelopmentprocessinaccordancewithIEC62443-4andcollaboratingwithCERT@VDEtooperateaPSIRT(ProductSecurityIncidentResponseTeam)[37].
Target IndustriesTargetIndustries
Mechanical Engineering Industry (food processing machinery, machine tools and manufacturing systems, packaging machinery, robotics and automation, textile machinery) [34]MechanicalEngineeringIndustry(foodprocessingmachinery,machinetoolsandmanufacturingsystems,packagingmachinery,roboticsandautomation,textilemachinery)[34]
Mechatronics (automation technology, manufacturing and assembly systems) [34]Mechatronics(automationtechnology,manufacturingandassemblysystems)[34]
Manufacturing [20]Manufacturing[20]
Energy [20]Energy[20]
Transportation [20]Transportation[20]
Process Control [7]ProcessControl[7]
Building Monitoring [33]BuildingMonitoring[33]
Bulk Materials Industry [35]BulkMaterialsIndustry[35]
Drive Components Industry [35]DriveComponentsIndustry[35]
Major MarketsMajorMarkets
Singapore [21], Malaysia [30]Singapore[21],Malaysia[30]
DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Certification: Successfully audited and certified by DEKRA since 1999, ensuring continuous quality in products and overall business processes [2, 5, 17, 24].DINENISO9001:2015QualityManagementSystemCertification:SuccessfullyauditedandcertifiedbyDEKRAsince1999,ensuringcontinuousqualityinproductsandoverallbusinessprocesses[2,5,17,24].
PROFINET Conformance Class B Support: Its managed PROFINET switch product range supports PROFINET according to Conformance Class B and provides high transmission security through ring redundancy as an MRP (Media Redundancy Protocol) client [26].PROFINETConformanceClassBSupport:ItsmanagedPROFINETswitchproductrangesupportsPROFINETaccordingtoConformanceClassBandprovideshightransmissionsecuritythroughringredundancyasanMRP(MediaRedundancyProtocol)client[26].
Commitment to Industrial Cybersecurity: Plans to introduce a security development process in accordance with the IEC 62443-4 standard and collaborates with CERT@VDE to operate a PSIRT (Product Security Incident Response Team), ensuring rapid assessment and response to potential threats, and providing customers with recommendations, patches, and updates to minimize risks [37].CommitmenttoIndustrialCybersecurity:PlanstointroduceasecuritydevelopmentprocessinaccordancewiththeIEC62443-4standardandcollaborateswithCERT@VDEtooperateaPSIRT(ProductSecurityIncidentResponseTeam),ensuringrapidassessmentandresponsetopotentialthreats,andprovidingcustomerswithrecommendations,patches,andupdatestominimizerisks[37].
Technological Strengths: Applies proprietary technologies such as EasyConnect® quick-connection technology to enhance installation convenience and develops specialized diagnostic software like the PROFINET Test Tool Pro to strengthen network optimization and troubleshooting capabilities [1, 7, 9, 19]. A statement exists reserving all rights in case of patent grant or utility model registration [38].TechnologicalStrengths:AppliesproprietarytechnologiessuchasEasyConnect®quick-connectiontechnologytoenhanceinstallationconvenienceanddevelopsspecializeddiagnosticsoftwarelikethePROFINETTestToolProtostrengthennetworkoptimizationandtroubleshootingcapabilities[1,7,9,19].Astatementexistsreservingallrightsincaseofpatentgrantorutilitymodelregistration[38].