Dilo Systems Transforms UX and Delivers Scalable IoT with a Custom Manufacturing Platform
Industrial manufacturers need more than just advanced machinery to stay ahead of the competition. For Dilo Group, a global leader in nonwoven machinery production, this meant reimagining the entire customer experience – not just improving their machines, but transforming how their customers interact with and leverage their technology.
In 2023, Dilo Systems, a specialized team developing machines and lines tailored for nonwoven production, partnered with d.u.h.Group to leverage Mendix and reimagine industrial IoT. The goal wasn’t merely about collecting data but empowering customers to control every aspect of their operations, from real-time monitoring to predictive maintenance.
What started as a straightforward software upgrade soon became something far more powerful: a flexible, user-driven application that seamlessly integrated machine performance, operational insights, and maintenance workflows.
Today, Dilo’s flagship Mendix project not only optimizes customer operations but sets a new standard for efficiency in manufacturing.
Modernizing IT to Meet Customer Demand
For over a century, Dilo Systems has been synonymous with groundbreaking innovation in the manufacturing world. Yet, as the pace of technological advancement accelerated, so too did customer expectations. The demand for intelligent, IoT-enabled dashboarding and smart tooling pushed Dilo to rethink its approach to IT delivery.
The company’s legacy systems, while functional for simpler applications, struggled to keep up with the complexity of Dilo’s production.
“These machines are complex and customer-specific, so the software needs to reflect that level of flexibility,” explained Oliver May, head of Mendix development at d.u.h.Group.
The search for a solution led them to Mendix, introduced through their close partnership with Siemens. Mendix offered a range of advantages:
- Unmatched flexibility and scalability for future expansion
- Seamless integration with Siemens technologies
- Reusability to adapt and add features down the line
- The ability to empower end-users to adapt and customize the software
Most notably, low-code provided Dilo with the power to take control of their development.
“The more we explored Mendix, the more we realized we could become part of the development process itself,” said Jonas Moll, a development engineer at Dilo Systems. “This wasn’t just about using the tool. It was about taking control of our software and how we use data for future possibilities.”
In May 2023, Dilo enlisted d.u.h.Group to help bring their vision for a cutting-edge IoT tool to life. With d.u.h.Group’s expertise in Mendix and cross-industry digital transformation, the project was poised for success.
“In addition to delivering a high-quality tool, we also wanted to empower Dilo to help themselves,” May said. “That’s crucial in these projects. It’s about enabling them to create solutions, rather than just building something for them.”
With a clear vision, an expert implementation partner, and the right platform, Dilo began creating a digital maintenance tool designed to optimize customer operations.
Tailoring Digital Machine Maintenance
To support Dilo’s complex operations in nonwoven textile production, the team developed Connect, a custom application for centralized machine monitoring and maintenance.
Built with Mendix as the user interface layer and AWS handling data ingestion and processing, the app bridges operational data from across the production line into a single, accessible platform.
The application provides real-time visibility into machine status and production performance, enabling operators to act on issues faster and with greater precision. It also digitizes key maintenance workflows, reducing reliance on paper manuals and streamlining configuration for new machinery.
The solution integrates seamlessly with Dilo’s existing systems and supports advanced performance tracking and diagnostics to help ensure long-term operational efficiency.
Threading Real-Time Data with AWS and Mendix
Seamless integration between Mendix and AWS was pivotal in enabling Dilo to unlock the full potential of real-time data.
For Dilo, deploying the solution on the Mendix Public Cloud was a key milestone. “Once that cloud foundation was established, it felt like a huge milestone in the project. It was essential for everything else to function,” Moll shared.
“All the data now readily available is fed into our AWS backend,” said May. “It’s stored in a Postgres SQL database. From there, the data is processed, and calculations like Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) are performed to help customers analyze their machine performance.”
To avoid performance bottlenecks when handling real-time data, Connect employs custom widgets, allowing the systems to communicate efficiently with minimal overhead.
With this robust data architecture, Dilo’s customers are equipped with a comprehensive, actionable view of their operations. With updates occurring every 10 seconds for TimeSeries and real-time data, machine maintenance and operational oversight have never been easier.
“This type of tool leveraging IoT in one place changes the game for both Dilo and their customers,” shared Jochen Sauter, a business development manager at d.u.h.Group.
Partnering for a Seamless Development Experience
Dilo’s partnership with d.u.h.Group underscores the company’s dedication to continuous, collaborative innovation in the digital space.
Moll and a colleague from the digitalization team – each with specializations in mechanical and IT respectively – quickly gained the skills to manage everything from small features to more complex functionalities on their own.
“d.u.h.Group really empowered us to do things ourselves,” Moll highlighted. “But their deep Mendix knowledge was crucial. Whenever we encountered issues or problems, we could rely on their expertise to guide us and help resolve them quickly.”
The collaborative approach, bolstered by Mendix’s project management tools, made development more manageable. Tasks were clearly defined, and user stories in Sprintr guided each sprint of the project.
“It was all very streamlined and manageable,” Moll said.
Most notably, the success of the Connect application is a direct result of a small, focused team working diligently to create a customer-driven, industry-changing solution.
Weaving Innovation into the Future of Manufacturing
Dilo’s journey with Mendix demonstrates the immediate impact that low-code development can have on manufacturers: greater efficiency, improved user experiences, and a solid foundation for future growth.
“What’s really exciting is that you can achieve so much in a relatively short time, even though the project has a lot of complexity,” May said. “It shows that with the right tools, you can get it done faster, without sacrificing quality.”
“We’re incredibly proud of how this collaboration managed to deliver such an impressive solution,” added Maryia Dubrouskaya, marketing manager at d.u.h.Group. “It’s a perfect example of how low-code can truly empower teams to innovate.”
Looking ahead, Dilo is already identifying new ways to leverage Mendix to further enhance its offerings. Potential integrations, including linking Connect with ERP systems, implementing AI-powered predictive maintenance, and incorporating HR tools, are all on the horizon.
“Overall, we see tremendous potential in Mendix and Connect, especially when it comes to integrating with other systems and services,” shared Moll. “These innovations will not only streamline our internal processes but also enable our customers to better meet their own operational needs.”