Menu

IoT & Cloud Integration with slashwhy

slashwhy connects your devices securely to the cloud, laying the groundwork for remote maintenance and new, data-driven business models.

slashwhy is your IoT and cloud integration partner

  • As your end-to-end development partner for IoT and cloud integration, we connect your devices to the cloud and build the technical foundation for remote control, data analysis, and new digital business models. We handle device networking, cloud connectivity, and data transfer. Depending on the project, we join early during the concept phase or take on a clearly defined part of an existing project.

  • For us, IoT and cloud integration means connecting embedded software on the device to a secure, scalable cloud infrastructure. That includes choosing the right communication protocols, building a robust security architecture with certificates and encrypted communication, and deciding which data we process directly on the device and which goes to the cloud. We deliberately set this apart from building entirely new cloud platforms. Most of the time, our customers already bring a cloud environment or firm requirements, and we fit into them.

  • Companies connect their devices to the cloud when the resulting data or remote control offers tangible value, for example through predictive maintenance, lower support costs, or new subscription models for additional features. Regulatory requirements like the Cyber Resilience Act are also making secure cloud connectivity a must-have rather than a nice-to-have for many manufacturers of products with a software component. If you don't act, you fall behind connected competitor products.

  • For cloud connectivity, we go with the platform that fits your project, usually Azure or AWS. We make sure that multiple end users of your customers can use the same cloud solution without their data becoming visible to one another. With growing device fleets, this quickly becomes a security risk if you don't design for it from the start.

  • IoT and cloud integration is part of our embedded software portfolio and complements services like firmware development and embedded Linux. Where it makes sense, we also bring in our UX & UI design team or WebTech developers, for example when the cloud data is meant to become an app, a web dashboard, or an end-user-facing online portal.

Interested? Then you'll find everything you need to know about IoT and cloud integration with slashwhy right here on this page.

Get in touch

Jump to a topic

Your starting point

When companies need IoT and cloud integration

Behind every IoT and cloud integration project, there's a concrete trigger: a device that fails too often, a regulation you have to comply with, or an idea for a new business model based on usage data. The requirements for IoT systems and their cloud integration vary widely across industries like mechanical engineering, agricultural machinery, and building technology, depending on the end users, but the triggers for a project are similar. The following four situations are the ones our customers bring to us most often when they come to us as their partner for IoT and cloud integration.

Unplanned downtime costs you real money

Your devices fail unexpectedly, and the repair ends up costing more than timely maintenance would have. Often you only notice once production has already stopped or a customer complains. We build the data pipeline from the sensor to the cloud that lets you catch anomalies in your operating data early, before they turn into a defect. That shifts your maintenance from reactive to predictive.

Regulation forces you to act

You have to log operating data without any gaps, such as emissions readings, or, as a manufacturer of products with a software component, meet the requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act. Without solid cloud connectivity, you simply don't have the technical foundation for that. We implement the infrastructure for logging, encrypted communication, and secure updates that meets these requirements and, if it ever comes to it, lets you prove it.

On-site support costs you too much time

You can't adjust how your devices run from a distance, and every small change means sending someone out to the machine. That ties up staff and slows down response times, especially when your devices are spread across multiple sites. We develop the secure remote-control interface between device and cloud that lets you adjust settings and roll out updates without being on-site yourself.

Isolated devices leave potential on the table

Your devices run independently of one another or of other IT systems, for example several machines in agriculture or a cistern controller with no weather data. As a result, information goes unused that would actually be available to you. We connect your devices and external data sources in a shared cloud solution, and that also lays the groundwork for new revenue models like subscription features or data-driven add-on services.

slashwhy is your IoT and cloud integration partner

  • We connect your devices that are already connectivity-ready to the internet over the right transmission path, whether that's cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LoRaWAN, or wired via Ethernet. Which path makes sense depends on where the device is deployed and the power available, for example when a smart electricity meter in the basement has no cellular reception.

  • Many of your devices are already in the field but aren't technically designed for cloud connectivity. We build protocol bridges between older, proprietary interfaces and your cloud infrastructure, based on existing hardware or hardware you provide.

  • We develop the interface between your devices and cloud platforms like Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, tailored to your existing infrastructure and the multi-tenancy you need. We rely on certificate-based authentication and encrypted communication, so only authorized devices get access. We secure the cloud side itself just as thoroughly and avoid typical misconfigurations like open databases or unprotected message brokers, ones we know well from other projects. That also helps you meet the requirements the Cyber Resilience Act places on manufacturers of products with a software component.

  • We decide which application-level communication protocol fits your project, while device networking handles the underlying connection technology. Depending on the requirements, we go with MQTT for simple use cases or OPC UA when you need a standardized data model. Our choice depends on your existing hardware, the available libraries, and the cloud platform you use.

  • When bandwidth is limited or the cellular connection is expensive, we process data directly on the device or an edge gateway instead of sending every single value to the cloud. That noticeably lowers your ongoing cloud costs, for example by sending data hourly instead of every second, and at the same time cuts the response time for time-critical functions.

  • We build the infrastructure that lets you roll out software updates to your devices in the field from a distance, without any on-site visits. New devices get added to your fleet automatically, without configuring each one by hand. As your device fleet grows, we design the cloud architecture from the start so it scales along with it through containers or serverless approaches.

Our tech stack for IoT and cloud integration

  • RTOS/OS: FreeRTOS, Zephyr, embedded Linux

  • Hardware platforms: STM32, NXP i.MX, Raspberry Pi CM, ESP32 for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use cases

  • Languages: C, C++, Python, Rust

  • Debugging and tracing: Azure IoT Hub Diagnostics/Application Insights or AWS CloudWatch for the cloud side, SEGGER J-Link/Ozone or GDB for the device side

  • IDEs and toolchains: VS Code with PlatformIO or STM32CubeIDE, depending on the manufacturer

  • HAL integration: connected through manufacturer-specific HAL libraries (e.g. STM32 HAL), abstracted behind our own communication layer for protocol and cloud connectivity

  • Cloud platforms: Microsoft Azure, AWS, occasionally Google Cloud (mainly because of Firebase)

  • Protocols: MQTT, CoAP, OPC UA, Azure SDK

dr-joachim-wilharm-slashwhy

A lot of people underestimate at first how much is riding on a cloud connection like this. You have to think about security from day one, the architecture has to be able to grow with you, and at some point people often want a dashboard or an app on top of that. We can cover all of it, from the embedded software on the device to the UX & UI team, when in the end you need a user interface, for an app for example.

dr-joachim-wilharm-slashwhy

Dr. Joachim Wilharm

Managing Director at slashwhy

An anonymized look inside a project

AI and data analysis in the cloud

Pattern recognition, automation, or data-driven decisions all depend on data arriving in the cloud with enough quality and structure in the first place. That's exactly the foundation we build in IoT and cloud integration. An example from an anonymized project shows what happens with that data next.

  • Starting point | A manufacturer of industrial machinery was already collecting operating data from its devices but couldn't turn that into usable insights. The data was unstructured, and the AI-powered analysis model the customer wanted needed a reliable data foundation first.

  • Solution | We reworked the devices' cloud connectivity so that operating data arrives structured and at consistent quality, the basic prerequisite for any AI model. On that data foundation, together with our AI-Driven Solutions team, we built a model for automated anomaly detection that flags unusual operating states on its own.

  • Result | Today, the customer spots deviations in operation much earlier than before and can respond in a more targeted way, instead of sifting through data by hand. The cloud infrastructure is designed so that you can add more AI-powered analyses without touching the connection again.

FAQ | Frequently asked questions about IoT and cloud integration with slashwhy

  • IoT and cloud integration connects devices that are physically out in the field to a cloud platform like Azure or AWS. That lets you analyze operating data centrally, control devices from a distance, and roll out software updates without anyone having to be on-site.

  • That depends on your target market and your existing infrastructure. Microsoft Azure is the most widely used among German companies, while AWS is more common with startups, partly because of its strong developer community. Google Cloud mainly comes into play when you want to use Firebase for the app connection.

  • Cloud processing sends data to a central server and analyzes it there; edge computing does that directly on the device or a local gateway. The difference has a direct impact on your costs: many cloud providers charge per message sent, so if you send every sensor value to the cloud individually, you pay more than if an edge gateway bundles the values and only sends them once an hour, for example.

  • That depends on your use case. MQTT is a good fit for simple use cases with limited processing power, while OPC UA brings a standardized data model and is used more often in industry. The choice also depends on which protocol libraries are available for your hardware.

  • That depends on how your connection is set up. With a cloud-only solution, you either lose data during the outage or have to buffer it and send it later. Devices with edge processing can keep running key functions even offline and sync the data as soon as the connection is back.

Nice to know

What you should know about the Cyber Resilience Act

Starting in 2027, the EU's Cyber Resilience Act will gradually require manufacturers of connected products to report security vulnerabilities and provide updates across the entire product lifecycle. This affects practically all connected devices, from household appliances to industrial machinery. A large share of known IoT security incidents comes down to simple misconfigurations, like open cloud databases or unprotected message brokers. That makes a carefully designed architecture all the more important.

How we work

Here's how your IoT and cloud integration with slashwhy could work

Every IoT and cloud integration project is different. Some customers come to us with existing devices they want to connect after the fact. Others are starting a new product and want to build in cloud features from the start. The steps below give you a rough guide. In practice, we work iteratively: insights from implementation flow back into the architecture, and requirements keep evolving. And at each of these moments, we stay ready to act.

1 | Analyzing your starting point

First, we clarify which devices and IT infrastructure already exist and what you're aiming for with the cloud connectivity, for example predictive maintenance, remote control, or new revenue models. Most of our customers already bring devices or a cloud environment that we build on, instead of starting from scratch. From that, we work out where in the value chain we come in and what specifically needs to happen on your project.

2 | Architecture and platform decision

Based on your requirements, we decide which cloud platform fits your project, usually Azure or AWS. Where vendor lock-in is a concern, we work with Kubernetes-based approaches that stay platform-independent. In parallel, we work out which communication protocols suit your devices and transmission paths. Scaling requirements come in here too, for example whether multiple customers will use the same cloud solution and their data has to stay cleanly separated. The result is an architecture that fits your current device fleet and can grow with it.

3 | Implementing the connection

We set up the device networking, develop the interface between device and cloud, and build the security architecture with certificate-based authentication and encrypted communication. In parallel, we decide which data we process directly on the device and which we send to the cloud, to keep bandwidth and costs in check. By the end of this step, your devices are connected to the cloud, technically and securely.

4 | Pilot operation and testing

Before we roll out the connection to your entire device fleet, we recommend a pilot run on a smaller number of devices under real-world conditions. That way, we catch weak points in transmission, scaling, or security early. You run the device fleet yourself. We make sure the connection runs reliably before the full rollout begins.

5 | Rollout and ongoing support

We roll out the connection to your entire device fleet and keep supporting operations afterward, for example with OTA updates or adjustments to the cloud architecture as your fleet grows. The code is yours, so afterward you can just as easily continue with your own team or another partner. But many of our customers stay with us and keep building with other slashwhy teams: with UX & UI design, when the cloud data is meant to become an app or a dashboard; with application development, when standalone software builds on the data; with AI-Driven Solutions, when the data is meant to turn into automated analyses; or with Workshops & Trainings, when your own team wants to take over running it themselves going forward.

Testing and quality assurance

An IoT and cloud integration is only reliable when it also stays stable under real-world conditions, stays secure, and works smoothly with connected third-party systems. That's why, for us, testing isn't a one-time step at the end; it's built into the entire process.

Security review

We check your cloud-side configuration specifically for typical weak points like open databases or unprotected message brokers, and we test the certificate-based authentication between device and cloud. That way, we make sure only authorized devices get access.

Interoperability tests

We test whether your devices, the chosen protocols, and connected third-party systems really work together smoothly, for example when a cistern controller needs to communicate with an external weather service. That way, we keep compatibility problems from only surfacing in live operation, where they're far more expensive to fix.

Connection tests (real-world conditions)

We test data transfer under the conditions your device actually encounters in the field, like weak cellular coverage or a dropped connection. That way, we make sure your device works reliably even with an unstable network connection and correctly resends data after an interruption.

oliver-kortekamp

Intuitive operation with a modern UI is really important to us. Our customers shouldn't have to wrestle with the technology; they should have fun with the products and the application.

oliver-kortekamp

Oliver Kortekamp

Team Leader & PO at Oase

dr-melanie-schuh-wuh

We always feel that slashwhy takes ownership of the product. Everyone involved fully identifies with the product. That's different with other partners.

dr-melanie-schuh-wuh

Dr. Melanie Schuh

Product Management at W&H

friedrich-laube-miele

With slashwhy, we have a partner that doesn't just deliver code, but supports the whole process from concept to implementation, one that identifies with the product and actively improves it.

friedrich-laube-miele

Friedrich Laube

Director Digital Products & Services Smart Home at Miele

markus-rose-phoenix-contact

The agile mindset of everyone on the slashwhy project team is impressive and contagious in the best way. We work with slashwhy as equals in agile project teams and reach our goals faster together.

markus-rose-phoenix-contact

Markus Rose

Director CHARX control Division Charging Infrastructure at Phoenix Contact

axel-schroder

The big benefit of the solution we built with slashwhy is that we can keep developing our production products further, in parallel with new development projects.

axel-schroder

Axel Schröder

Director Advanced Engineering at CLAAS E-Systems

tobias-lange

We can save a completed commissioning in the app and, especially on large construction projects, reuse that template again and again to set up identical gates. That's a clear advantage and a big benefit of the app.

tobias-lange

Tobias Lange

Project Manager at Hörmann

Working together

Six reasons to choose slashwhy as your partner for IoT and cloud integration

We build software by people, for people. And all these people have very different needs. Users want to get their tasks done efficiently; our customers want to create real value. And us? We want to build software that solves real challenges, makes everyday work simpler, and is fun to use.

Transparent decision-making

We don't recommend the same cloud platform or protocol for every project. We choose between Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud and between MQTT, AMQP, CoAP, or OPC UA based on your hardware, your data volumes, and your scaling requirements. We back that decision with concrete criteria instead of tooling preferences, and we decide it together with you.

Security expertise

The most common security vulnerabilities in IoT projects don't come from the device; they come from the cloud configuration: open databases, unprotected message brokers, missing certificate validation. We know these weak spots and close them from the start, instead of fixing them only after a security incident. The same goes for regulatory requirements like the Cyber Resilience Act, which we factor in from the start and raise with you in good time.

German development partner

slashwhy develops at four locations in Germany: Osnabrück, Hamburg, Bielefeld, and Kiel. Same time zone, same language, no coordination overhead across borders. Especially in cloud projects, where data protection and data storage requirements need to be spelled out precisely, our customers really value this.

End-to-end product development

IoT and cloud integration is rarely a standalone project. When a project needs firmware development or embedded Linux alongside the cloud connectivity, slashwhy covers that with its own teams. Nothing lost at the hand-offs between partners, no coordination overhead between device and cloud.

Working with UX & UI

When your cloud data is meant to become a dashboard or an app, the UX & UI team at slashwhy sits on the same development team. Requirements that touch the line between cloud connectivity and the user interface don't get negotiated between two partners; you settle them directly with our experts.

Honest scope assessment

We don't build a whole new cloud architecture when your existing infrastructure really just needs an integration. We tell you that right at the start of the project, not only after a quote for a full rebuild is on the table. That way, you pay for what your project actually needs, and your existing investments in devices or cloud infrastructure stay intact.

Global players and hidden champions

At slashwhy, you're in good company

The companies that benefit from IoT and cloud integration

IoT and cloud integration pays off wherever devices are out in the field and their data or remote control creates tangible value. In agricultural machinery, we connect machines that work spread across the field and whose interplay can only be coordinated through a central cloud connection, for example when control systems need to be linked to external weather data. In building technology, it's more often about devices in difficult installation spots: a smart electricity meter in the basement has neither cellular nor Wi-Fi reception, something we account for when choosing the transmission path. For consumer electronics products like connected household appliances, remote maintenance is often the priority, along with the ability to deliver extra features later as a software update. In mechanical engineering, we continuously capture operating data from industrial systems to catch failures early, before they lead to production stoppages.

AgriTech

CleanTech

Commercial Kitchen Equipment

Consumer Electronics

HealthTech

Industry

Building Technology

FAQ | Frequently asked questions about IoT and cloud integration with slashwhy

  • No, in most cases you don't. slashwhy doesn't build a whole new cloud architecture when your existing infrastructure really just needs an integration. Most of our customers already bring devices or a cloud environment that we build on.

  • For IoT and cloud integration, we rely on certificate-based authentication and encrypted communication between device and cloud, and we check the cloud-side configuration specifically for typical weak points like open databases or unprotected message brokers. That also helps you meet the requirements the Cyber Resilience Act places on manufacturers of products with a software component.

  • That depends on whether you're asking about development costs or operating costs. For a realistic estimate of your development costs, it's best to reach out to us directly using the contact option at the bottom of this page. Operating costs, on the other hand, are easy to underestimate: many cloud providers charge per message sent, not a flat rate. With thousands of devices, that can quickly get more expensive than expected if the architecture isn't designed for cost efficiency from the start, for example through edge processing that bundles data before sending it. Our experts at slashwhy are happy to advise you here and support you in making decisions that make sense both technically and commercially.

  • No. The code and the cloud infrastructure are yours. Afterward, you can just as easily continue with your own team or another partner. slashwhy doesn't operate the cloud; that stays with you. Many customers stay with us because they want to keep developing with other slashwhy teams, but that's not a requirement.

  • That depends on the scope, but you can roughly map it to our process: after analyzing your starting point and deciding on the architecture, we first run a pilot with a smaller number of devices before rolling out to your entire fleet. That gives you a working result early on, instead of only at the very end of the whole project.

Let's exchange ideas

Do you already have a concrete project idea and want to find out whether slashwhy is the right embedded partner for IoT and cloud integration for you? Or are you still at the start of your journey and looking for the ideal starting point? Either way, our team of experts would love to hear from you and is here for a no-obligation consultation.

dr-joachim-wilharm-slashwhy
  • Dr. Joachim Wilharm
  • Managing Director
Call me!

Haven't found what you're looking for?

Back to overview

Graphical User Interfaces

Embedded Linux

Firmware Development

Real-Time Applications

slashwhy as your partner for IoT and cloud integration

As part of IoT and cloud integration, we connect your devices in the field to a secure, scalable cloud infrastructure, building the technical foundation for remote maintenance, data analysis, and new digital business models. As your partner for IoT and cloud integration, slashwhy handles device networking, cloud connectivity, protocol selection, and ongoing device management including OTA updates. Whether Azure, AWS, or occasionally Google Cloud: we choose the cloud platform to fit your existing IT infrastructure and your target market. Security is built in from the start, including certificate-based authentication, encrypted communication, and securing the cloud side, also with regulatory requirements like the Cyber Resilience Act in mind.

IoT and cloud integration is part of the slashwhy embedded software portfolio and complements services like firmware development, embedded Linux, and real-time applications. Where cloud data is meant to become an app or a dashboard, our UX & UI design and application development teams work with you under the same roof, without things getting lost at the hand-offs between different partners. Our customers come from AgriTech, CleanTech, consumer electronics, HealthTech, and mechanical engineering, from hidden champions to global players like CLAAS, Miele, and Phoenix Contact.

slashwhy develops at four locations in Germany: Osnabrück, Hamburg, Bielefeld, and Kiel. Same time zone, same language, direct communication without the detour through a nearshore partner. Whether new development or integration into existing systems: with IoT and cloud integration, we bring your device into the cloud securely and transparently.