This ALTIX Consulting series aims to shed light on lesser known, yet groundbreaking technological advancements in the industry sector. In each interview, we delve into a specific company’s contributions to reshaping the industrial landscape.
Interview with Claudio Ambra, CTO (Chief Technology Officer) of EXOR International.
Question: Good afternoon, Claudio. It’s great to have you with us. EXOR is well known in the industrial automation space, especially around HMI and IIoT. Before we dive in, can you briefly introduce yourself and your background?
Claudio Ambra: I’ve been with EXOR for 40 years, starting as an electronics engineer. I’ve worked through the evolution from Industry 3.0 into today’s Industry 4.0. Now, I serve as CTO and board member of the EXOR Group, which includes around 100 engineers across global locations. I’m based at our R&D headquarters in Verona, Italy.
Question: Incredible longevity and experience Claudio. Tell us more about EXOR—its mission and what sets it apart.
Claudio: EXOR has over 50 years of experience in industrial automation. Our mission is to create platforms that simplify industrial application development. We act like a startup—with deep experience. Our core is R&D, and we focus on making high-tech tools easy to use, like our zero-code HMI frameworks and IIoT platforms. We aim to empower our customers to innovate with less complexity.
Question: You’ve expanded globally. How international is EXOR today?
Claudio: Quite international. We founded EXOR America in 1988, which was key, since much of the HMI innovation originated in the U.S. Today, we have locations in Germany, India, Oceania, and the U.S. But our roots remain in Italy, a global industrial manufacturing hub—after Germany, Italy is #2 or #3 in Europe for manufacturing. And Verona gives us strong ties to German industry, too.
Question: Let’s dive into technology. What role does EXOR play in helping manufacturers become future-ready for Industry 4.0?
Claudio: Since 2015, we’ve seen IIoT as a natural evolution—not disruption—of industrial automation. We built EXOR’s IoT approach into our DNA. One of our key moves was creating Corvina, a dedicated IIoT platform developed in parallel with our traditional hardware. Corvina focuses on secure connectivity, real-time services, and cloud + edge integration.
Question: What exactly is the Corvina platform?
Claudio: It’s a cloud-native IIoT platform that securely connects machines globally. It allows real-time data acquisition, remote service delivery, and edge computing. It also includes development frameworks for dashboarding, historical data analysis, and application creation. Critically, it supports deployment both in the cloud and at the edge—giving flexibility and performance.
Question: So your hardware and software are designed together?
Claudio: Exactly. Like Apple in the consumer space, we integrate software and hardware for industrial use—HMI, marine, automotive, and beyond. This gives us superior cybersecurity and performance, especially with certifications like IEC 62443.
Question: Let’s talk protocols. Industrial automation includes many standards. How does EXOR handle this complexity?
Claudio: We support over 250 industrial protocols—probably the most in the world. This comes from our HMI heritage. We’re protocol-agnostic and can reverse-engineer if needed. Our platform fits into any system architecture, giving customers flexibility without vendor lock-in.
Question: What innovations are you driving in edge computing?
Claudio: We see HMI as the natural foundation for edge computing. Our smart gateways evolved into intelligent edge devices. We’ve integrated Docker containers and Linux OS to allow deployment of local applications from the cloud, data management in real time, and orchestration of services right at the machine level.
Question: Where do you see Corvina fitting in the classic automation pyramid—from sensors and controls to MES and ERP?
Claudio: That pyramid is evolving. In greenfield projects, we’ve moved to a microservices architecture. Corvina spans both directions: downward to the edge (real-time apps at the device level) and upward to cloud and industrial servers. We also partner with FACTORYAL, our internal group that develops modern MES and factory-level software.
Question: So Corvina supports both machine builders and factory owners?
Claudio: Yes. We serve two markets: smart machines and smart factories. They have different needs, sales channels, and solutions—but Corvina is designed to serve both, with the same architecture and adaptability.
Question: For companies that are overwhelmed by complexity—hardware, protocols, cybersecurity—how can EXOR guide them?
Claudio: We provide the full stack: hardware, frameworks, cloud, edge, and security. With features like OTA updates, secure boot, and remote deployment, we help manufacturers simplify complexity. We also recently launched XPLC, a soft PLC platform that complements our edge solutions.
Question: EXOR competes in a space with giants like Siemens, Rockwell, and Honeywell. When should a customer choose EXOR?
CA: Great question. We actually collaborate with many of these players. Our technology is embedded in over 30 major OEM brands. What makes us unique is our flexibility, independence, and speed. Corvina is hardware-agnostic and designed for openness. Our startup mindset allows us to co-create with customers, quickly develop proofs of concept, and tailor solutions—especially when new tech is involved.
Question: What about AI? How does EXOR help manufacturers extract value from data and AI?
Claudio: AI deployment is easy. Extracting value is the hard part. Our customers own their data. We enable them to create small edge data lakes and cloud data lakes to develop useful AI applications. Our approach is bottom-up: understanding the process, integrating AI into real-time control, and supporting use cases like predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and quality monitoring.
Question: Claudio, thank you. This was incredibly insightful. You’ve made EXOR’s vision and strengths very clear. I look forward to visiting Verona again soon to see the next wave of innovation!
Claudio: Thank you, it was a pleasure. You’re always welcome at EXOR in Verona—looking forward to continuing this journey together.
Access the full video interview with Claudio Ambra on our YouTube channel: <insert link to YouTube>
About EXOR International: EXOR International is a global leader in industrial automation, specializing in Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), control systems, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) solutions. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Verona, Italy, EXOR has been at the forefront of digital transformation, empowering businesses to enhance operational efficiency and adaptability. Its flagship offering, the X Platform, integrates edge computing, cloud connectivity, and advanced analytics to facilitate seamless data acquisition and real-time decision-making. With a commitment to innovation and sustainability, EXOR continues to support industries worldwide in navigating the complexities of Industry 4.0. To learn more, visit www.exorint.com.
