How far can large enterprises go in consolidating their software stack from IIoT and data foundations to apps? Could a startup EV OEM run its business on just two pieces of software? Fuuz, by MFGx, aims to answer that second question with a yes, using just Fuuz and Oracle NetSuite. We recently had an update briefing with Fuuz, and their focus has changed since our last conversation. They don’t fit neatly into a category and are calling what they do an industrial intelligence platform. Fuuz includes IIoT, a comprehensive data stack, no-code/low-code rapid application development tools, and MES, WMS, APS, Quality, CMMS, as well as Production and Process Monitoring solutions.
Fuuz initially aimed its platform and applications offering at small and medium businesses (SMBs) who wanted to extend their ERP to the shop floor. It still serves many SMBs with greenfield operations; however, they discovered that manufacturers with over $300 million in revenue are more mature. Their experience typically means they have a deeper understanding of why the combination of IIoT, a modern full-stack data management platform, and Purdue Model or ISA95 Level 3 applications can deliver immediate and lasting benefits.
The Fuuz platform is within multi-tenant SaaS, where each customer has their own segmented resources and database. This delivers cloud benefits while also accommodating highly regulated industries. Its Gateway enables edge connection for devices such as industrial controls, printers, scales, and CMMs, as well as edge computing. The Fuuz team claims to be winning against OT software players, IT data platform players, and manufacturing IT application powerhouses.
IT Consolidation with Intelligence
Many larger companies have been attempting to build out their architecture for years. One Fuuz customer is planning to replace 12 different software products with one. Some of the recent customer announcements include large and startup companies in pet food (planning to replace eight applications), EVs, auto parts, aviation, and life sciences.
Fuuz offers consolidation at many levels.
- Industrial device and IIoT connection and data structuring
- Unified name space (UNS) where OT systems data all feed into a single, structured data model
- Manufacturing IT data ontology, management, and governance, where IT and OT data come together in a comprehensive, managed way for clean data with clear provenance and lineage
- Manufacturing applications, including MES, WMS, APS, Quality, CMMS, Production and Process Monitoring
- Supply chain partner visibility – this is a new area that an automnning to replace 12 different software products with one. Some of the recent customer announcements include large and startup companies in pet food (planning to replace eight applications), EVs, auto parts, aviation, and life sciences.
Customers Choose
Tailor UIs, Workflows, and Apps – The Fuuz Platform offers tools, including a responsive UI builder, a workflow builder, and its own apps, as well as low-code app-building capabilities. A key differentiator is that they built these tools to address the scaling challenges of low-code/no-code solutions, implementing them as an SI before shifting entirely to a software company.
Unified Data Ontology – Each customer can select whether to use ISA95 or another structure for their enterprise data. The ontology is based on a no-code MongoDB and can span the entire enterprise.
AI Tools – The Fuuz team has decided not to build AI into the system. Customers can use its GraphQL APIs, data flows, and native MCP cloud or edge capabilities to integrate with any LLMs or AI tools they choose.
High-Value Starting Points – Since the platform encompasses everything an app needs, companies can start with their high-priority applications and obtain the entire infrastructure required for them to function. This is in stark contrast to many enterprise infrastructure approaches, which can require years before the high-value applications work well.
Continued Growth
Fuuz’s strategy to sell and implement through partners remains strong. The ecosystem is growing, and partners have substantial control over the IP they put out on the Fuuz marketplace.
Partners have traditionally included ERP companies and their service partners. These include NetSuite, PwC, CohnReznick, Strategic Information Group, Western Computer, and Guidepath Consulting. Other partners are from IIoT, OT, or PLM backgrounds, such as Razorleaf Corporation, Castor Engineering, and newly-launched Abelara. Some have used the Fuuz platform to build their own MES, WMS, and EDI applications. Recently, Fanuc Robotics America Inc has started building Fuuz into its products to enable remote monitoring and predictive maintenance.
Fuuz’s partners often have deep and lasting relationships with customers. The partner vetting process is rigorous, ensuring that partner solution architects can help companies envision their future digital support. The goal is to grow with customers through these strong partner relationships.
Looking to the Future
Fuuz built to a vision a decade ago that few others had. At the core of the platform are flexible, modern, scalable technologies. They continue to improve, but are not flitting from one new technology trend to the next. They are building out from the original vision in a versionless approach, where upgrades never entail downtime, and customer implementations continue to support evolution.
Thank you, Craig Scott, Brad Hafer, and Steve Modrall, for briefing us on the state of the Fuuz and where Fuuz is igniting value.
