Unified-E AG has been based at Technopark Winterthur since February 2024 under the leadership of founder and CEO Friedrich Wedel. The start-up develops the Unified-E visualisation software - a user-friendly solution with smartphone support that allows companies to configure user interfaces for machines and systems independently. As a service provider, Unified-E AG also offers customised HMI solutions.
Friedrich Wedel and Unified-E AG have been based at Technopark Winterthur since February 2024. His aim is to provide industrial companies with an intuitive and efficient solution for communicating with machines and systems with the Unified-E HMI visualisation software. His HMI (Human-Machine Interface) solution pursues an innovative approach that clearly sets it apart from existing products on the market.
Mobile-First as the origin
Ten years ago, Friedrich Wedel began developing modular HMI visualisation software. He realised that many existing applications were hardly suitable for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets and focused almost exclusively on desktop solutions. Customers were also increasingly asking to be able to monitor a system remotely via the internet on a smartphone.
This lack inspired him to develop HMI software with a clear mobile-first approach. His aim was to create a solution that end customers could customise individually and intuitively to suit their needs. The user interface was deliberately designed to be simple and flexible in order to offer maximum freedom during setup.
Licensing is also straightforward: instead of cumbersome USB dongles, a single internet connection is all that is needed to activate the Unified E app – another step towards making it easier for users to get started, as Friedrich Wedel explains in an interview.
The Unified-E product
Since its launch in 2016, Unified-E has developed into a versatile visualisation tool for the industrial and automation sector. The software enables flexible and efficient operation and monitoring of production machines and manufacturing systems. In addition to stationary use on large displays, Unified-E also offers the integration of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This allows users to access machines via the internet from any location.
Unified-E’s vision is clear: user interfaces for machines and systems are to be created once using the Unified-E App Designer. The design is initially optimised for stationary operating devices, but can also be used on mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets without additional adjustments. This enables simple remote operation and monitoring, as Friedrich Wedel demonstrates using an example.
Unified-E supports controllers from various manufacturers. This saves HMI developers time, costs and nerves in everyday industrial applications. Unified-E currently supports the most common control systems from European and American manufacturers. In addition, communication interfaces for standard protocols are integrated to ensure a seamless connection with most control systems.
Independence as part of the DNA
Friedrich Wedel moved to Switzerland around 15 years ago, bringing with him valuable experience from his work at Siemens as a qualified computer scientist. He discovered his passion for self-employment at an early stage, which gives him personal responsibility and creative freedom. ‘The freedom and responsibility that come with self-employment are a perfect match for my mentality,’ says Wedel. He finds the enthusiasm of his customers particularly motivating: ‘When they tell me how they practically created a new user interface with ease, it confirms my vision of user-friendly software.’ The development of the Unified-E visualisation software began as an independent project, which Wedel realised in collaboration with external experts from the fields of usability and web development.
The next milestone for Unified-E
Today, Unified-E is already being used by customers around the world. Since October 2024, the focus has increasingly been on building a global sales network in order to make the software available worldwide via partners. At the same time, the team is being continuously expanded to ensure both the further development of the software and increasing customer support.
All programmes and apps can already be used free of charge for development and demonstration purposes. However, use in this mode is limited in time.
You can find more information on the Unified-E website: www.unified-e.com.
