Enterprise-Level for Smart Factories: CLAAS Standardizes the Use of Shop Floor Data with Cybus Connectware

A centralized Factory Data Hub instead of isolated shop floor solutions // The CLAAS Group is rolling out the Industrial IoT software Cybus Connectware at up to eight international locations // A vendor-neutral, centrally managed data architecture for approximately 1,000 assets

Harsewinkel / Hamburg, June 9, 2026 – The CLAAS Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery, is relying on Cybus for the digital transformation of its production. Following an intensive selection process and over 80 successful technical validations as part of a proof of concept (PoC), Cybus Connectware is being put into operation as the central factory data hub. Key factors in the decision were, in particular, the high degree of automation, scalability and the ability to centrally manage the data infrastructure across multiple locations.

Stopping uncontrolled growth: centralization as a competitive advantage

In the manufacturing of modern agricultural machinery, managing data flows is critical to success. CLAAS was faced with the challenge of efficiently and securely connecting an ever-growing number of production systems, machines and IT applications.

By choosing Cybus Connectware, CLAAS is replacing its previous heterogeneous point solutions with a unified, scalable layer. “The requirements for a modern smart factory architecture are clearly defined: We need full scalability combined with centralized governance,” explains Martin Heese, Solution Owner for Industrial IoT & Machine Connectivity at CLAAS. “OT/IT convergence rarely fails because of protocols, but rather due to a lack of ownership. In the PoC, Cybus demonstrated that they can handle the diversity of machines and interfaces – from small systems to complex milling machines — and possess the enterprise maturity required for a global rollout. For architecture to deliver value, we need teams that implement use cases responsibly,” says Wojciech Halabis, Product Owner of Industrial IoT & Machine Connectivity.

CLAAS now relies on Cybus Connectware, an integration solution that makes shop floor data sources available centrally, regardless of protocol or manufacturer, and can orchestrate them efficiently across multiple plants. Unlike conventional IoT gateways or isolated platform solutions, Connectware provides a seamless, vendor-neutral flow of data between machines, IT systems and the cloud, without any proprietary dependencies. And it gives the company’s own IT team full control.

Streamlined architecture: one single hub for eight plants

In just twelve weeks, CLAAS and Cybus achieved two things: they demonstrated the technical feasibility of the PoC and established the organisational prerequisites for a cross-site rollout. They engaged with stakeholders from IT, OT and operations, reimagined processes and laid the groundwork for the scalable management of the data infrastructure.

The key requirements were ease of use and, above all, a fast, efficient rollout across multiple sites and centralised control of the data infrastructure. Cybus Connectware therefore enables a significant reduction in engineering effort per plant, as well as the faster implementation of further digitalisation initiatives. The new data architecture can also serve as a foundation for improving efficiency in areas such as energy consumption, maintenance and quality management.

A key technological feature of the new architecture is: Rather than running multiple full-scale systems at each plant, CLAAS uses a central Connectware instance, resulting in a highly streamlined architecture. Additional plants can be connected via installed ‘agents’ with minimal operational effort, offering maximum controllability via a central platform.

The rollout covers up to eight plants and over 1,000 assets

CLAAS and Cybus have signed a multi-year framework agreement providing for the integration of up to eight production sites. Four of these will be operational within the first year. The project will involve integrating approximately 1,000 assets in total, including manufacturing equipment, energy measurement systems and other industrial components.

“For global players like CLAAS, the ability to automate and operate data infrastructures across locations is key to the factory of the future,” says Lukas Theilacker, Enterprise Account Executive at Cybus. “Connectware acts as a neutral link here, guaranteeing full control over the data flow between the shop floor and IT, regardless of the manufacturer.”