• ,Far beyond simple connectivity: prepares data based on context for AI tools´
• ,Significantly reduced hardware requirements´ (up to 80% of the costs)
• ,Perfect for discrete manufacturing, automotive, and mechanical engineering´

Böblingen/Hanover (Germany), June 2026 – The factory software solution AC4DC by FORCAM ENISCO has won the prestigious Factory Innovation Award 2026. It took the prize in the "Connectivity and Interfaces" category.

An independent Jury of 16 experts from industry and science awarded the Bronze medal. No Gold or Silver awards were given in this category this year. Therefore, Bronze is the highest possible rating. What the jury liked most about AC4DC:

• Unified Industrial Namespace and semantic harmonization: The platform creates a common language for different machines and data systems. It prepares data based on context for AI tools. This goes far beyond simple connectivity.
• Super fast and easy connection: Assets can be linked in just a few minutes using ready-made templates. Users can create their own templates. The whole setup takes less than 2 hours.
• High cost savings and growth: Significantly reduced hardware requirements with mini-PCs. The system offers high availability, version control, and good security. It is perfect for discrete manufacturing, automotive, and mechanical engineering.

(Source : Factory Innovation magazine, 3/2026)

Marc-André Fröschl, Head of Product Management at FORCAM ENISCO: "We are very happy about this award. Well-known industrial clients already use AC4DC. Our software helps integrate machine and production data fast. This allows for data-driven manufacturing and AI apps."

The publisher GITO Media organizes the Factory Innovation Award. It is one of the most important prizes for smart factory software in Europe. The award ceremony took place at the Hannover Messe 2026.

Platform for Industrial Data Management

AC4DC is a scalable data platform for industrial data management. The solution blends and standardizes production data from factory floor and management systems. This includes everything from machines to MES and ERP software.

Marc Fröschl: "The data comes together in a clear production data model. It is ready in real time across different sites and systems. AC4DC builds the foundation for data-driven production apps, industrial AI use cases, and modern automation."

Key Features of the AC4DC Solution

• Great transparency through a single and reliable view of production
• Up to 80% lower hardware costs by using industrial micro-PCs
• Highly available data for real-time analytics, automation, and AI systems (data buffering)
• Faster global rollouts through template-based setups
• Better cybersecurity through data encryption at the machine level
• Flexible deployment as an edge or cloud solution
• Support of open standards like OPC UA, MQTT, and NATS

Use Case: Efficient Machine Data Integration

FORCAM ENISCO recently showed with partners how AC4DC helps use industrial AI in real life.

AC4DC offers easy machine data integration together with a solution from the company machinetalk. AC4DC provides the scalable data space. machinetalk manages key engineering steps to connect the machines.

This combined workflow digitizes machines faster. Production data goes straight to MES, AI models, or IoT platforms. Companies benefit from:

• less manual engineering work
• higher data quality
• faster project results
• quicker return on investment

Use Case: Voice-Based Data Use with AC4DC and AI Agents

Proven factory tech combined with voice recognition via AI agents is the approach of AC4DC and the IT expert 4IoT.

• AC4DC connects factory machines reliably to the digital world.
• 4IoT ensures that the SAP BTP Cloud stores data safely and flexibly. This is GDPR-compliant and scalable.
• Companies choose their own AI provider freely, such as SAP AI Core or OpenAI. There are no dependencies.
• Voice control allows users to ask for production data, analyze it, and send commands back just by speaking.
• The result is real AI agents for manufacturing. Factory teams ask questions, and the production plant answers directly.

Foundation for Scalable Industrial Connectivity

With the Factory Innovation Award 2026, AC4DC shows its role as an innovative provider for modern industrial data management. The solution helps companies use their production data well. It is scalable, secure, and ready for the future.