Cloudrail enters into partnership with Microsoft

It's a huge success for the Mannheim-based company: Microsoft is relying on Cloudrail's system to connect production facilities with the Azure platform.

Microsoft is entering into a partnership with Mannheim-based Cloudrail to connect the Azure platform with its customers' production facilities. The start-up has already been working with Amazon Web Services (AWS), but with Microsoft, Cloudrail has an even bigger player at its side. Joint marketing at trade fairs, for example, is also planned. "This is another game changer for us," says founder Felix Kollmer to the Handelsblatt.

Cloudrail makes it possible for old machines to be connected to Industry 4.0 by equipping them with sensors. This allows data to be collected in the factory and transferred to a cloud. "The machines in the factories are highly automated, but they offer little insight into the data - and only the modern systems have an interface to IT," Kollmer explains his thoughts behind Cloudrail to Handelsblatt. The connection usually takes weeks, but the Mannheim-based company promises "within hours or even minutes".

Cloudrail underwent a realignment in 2018, and in December 2020 the Mannheim-based company received seven-figure funding from strategic investors. The collaboration with Microsoft and the money will be used to further expand Cloudrail.