SMS Group introduces new metals-production platform X-Pact® Digital Hub

SMS group has unveiled the X-Pact® Digital Hub, a new software ecosystem intended to consolidate automation and operational applications across the metals industry. According to the company, the platform brings together more than 300 industrial software tools, including SMS solutions and third-party systems, into a single digital environment.

The aim is to streamline data flows and improve interaction between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 systems. SMS states that this integration enables process optimisation across entire production routes, going beyond what individual stand-alone applications can deliver.

Thiago Turchetti Maia, Executive Vice President, Automation, Digital & Service Solutions at SMS group, said: “With the X-Pact® Digital Hub, SMS group delivers a unified, scalable software ecosystem that accelerates the metals industry's shift to fully autonomous production. By consolidating applications, data flows, user experience, and intelligent services, we are converging the worlds of automation and digitalization.”

A single platform for automation and process software

The Digital Hub provides single-sign-on access, a unified user interface and customisable dashboards. It standardises data exchange between applications, while offering a modular structure that allows metals producers to integrate SMS software as well as external tools.

The system also includes text-prompt and voice-controlled interfaces. These are designed to support tasks such as triage, classification and routine decision-making, with the goal of reducing operator workload and lowering the risk of human error. Hands-free voice commands can be used for status checks or operational support on the shop floor.

Towards more automation in plant operations

SMS positions the platform as a building block for more automated and potentially remote-controlled plant operations. By consolidating process data, energy metrics and quality information in unified dashboards, the system is intended to support faster and more consistent decision-making.

The launch marks the latest step in SMS group’s wider push toward “lights-out” production concepts, in which metals-production processes run with high levels of autonomous control.

Source and Photo: SMS Group