With the X-Pact® Digital Hub, SMS group is introducing an innovative software ecosystem that is set to fundamentally change the metal industry while increasing productivity and sustainability. The system offers seamless data integration, high scalability, and a consistent user experience. It creates a framework that combines both SMS's own applications and third-party software on a central platform.
By consolidating all data and integrating Level 1 HMIs as well as Level 2 and Level 3 applications, the X-Pact® Digital Hub increases the efficiency of entire production routes, surpassing the capabilities of individual isolated solutions. In this way, it forms the basis for the SMS group's vision of fully autonomous “lights-out” operation.
"With the X-Pact® Digital Hub, SMS group offers a uniform, scalable software ecosystem that accelerates the transformation of the metal industry toward fully autonomous production. By consolidating applications, data flows, and intelligent services, as well as providing a unified user experience, we are bringing automation and digitalization together. The X-Pact® Digital Hub thus takes productivity, stability, and sustainability for our customers to the next level," says Thiago Turchetti Maia, Executive Vice President, Automation, Digital & Service Solutions, SMS group GmbH.
Integration of more than 300 software solutions
The X-Pact® Digital Hub connects over 300 industrial software applications, creating a significantly more efficient operating environment. Simplified data exchange, compliance with established standards, and seamless interoperability optimize the use of a wide variety of applications and overcome the disadvantages of isolated systems.
Flexible and modular platform architecture
The platform sets new standards in process automation and operating software for the metal industry. Its modular architecture supports proprietary applications from the SMS group while also enabling the integration of functions and customer-specific solutions from external providers. This flexibility allows for continuous further development in line with customer requirements and offers high scalability and expandability.
The X-Pact® Digital Hub places particular emphasis on an intuitive user experience. As a central access point with a uniform interface and consistent workflows, it facilitates access to all functions. Input interfaces allow text-based prompts to be used to automate routine decisions such as classification or triage. This reduces cognitive load, incidents are assessed more quickly, and specialists can focus more on value-adding tasks.
Voice input is also available, for example for hands-free status queries or entering commands and operating instructions directly at plants or in the field. These functions increase reliability, reduce human error, and shorten decision-making times.
Transparent database for informed decisions
Whether process data, energy consumption, or quality indicators—the X-Pact® Digital Hub bundles all relevant information from different applications and presents it on clear, easy-to-understand dashboards. This comprehensive overview helps users make informed decisions quickly and purposefully.
