Frequently Asked Questions

KRIS is based on state-of-the-art web technology and is independent of operating systems and devices. No installation is necessary. The software can be accessed via any current web browser.

Yes, KRIS can be run in a virtual environment. Both the server and the clients.

Yes, you can use KRIS on all devices. This gives you flexibility and mobility at all times.

Most of the KRIS³ apps have already been migrated to the new KRIS platform with new features, and the rest are being transferred bit by bit. KRIS 4 can also be run in hybrid mode, meaning that the new KRIS apps can be operated together with the KRIS³ apps.

You always purchase the full version, which means you have no restrictions on the number of users, clients, or data points. No matter how large your team is or how many tags you want to manage, KRIS scales with your needs—without additional costs or hidden fees.

One-time purchase and unlimited use: With the purchase of a full version, you receive the right to unlimited use of KRIS. This option is ideal for companies looking for a long-term, one-time investment.

Purchase with system maintenance: To get the most out of your investment, we recommend purchasing in combination with our optional system maintenance package. This maintenance package provides you with regular updates and annual system maintenance to ensure the high reliability and security of KRIS. This allows you to benefit from the latest features, improved performance, and always up-to-date security standards that optimally protect your system and keep it up to date.

Yes, our software solutions and services related to installation and commissioning are eligible for BAFA funding. The funding is specifically provided under Module 3. This covers both software and hardware associated with the setup or application of an energy or environmental management system. Specifically, the following components are eligible for funding:

• Software solutions to support an energy management system or an environmental management system (energy management software).
• Ancillary costs associated with implementation, such as: Installation, Commissioning, Cabling of the relevant technologies, and the creation of a system concept by external service providers.

Further information can be found here.

The integration of KRIS into existing production processes and IT infrastructures is structured and flexible, allowing it to fit seamlessly into the existing system landscape. We begin by analyzing the existing connection options and working with the customer to identify the relevant data points. Based on this, we develop the necessary interfaces to ensure smooth communication between KRIS and the existing systems.

Thanks to OPC DA and OPC UA support, process parameters can be both read and written back, enabling bidirectional communication with the control level. For systems such as PCS 7 or WinCC, our Tag Import feature is available, which allows automatic and efficient transfer of existing data points.

In addition, KRIS offers a variety of standardized interfaces—including SQL, XML, CSV, Oracle, web services, and MQTT—ensuring simple and reliable integration into existing IT infrastructure.

It is necessary to create a requirements profile that shows which data is to be collected and which interfaces are required.

The server can be operated either physically or as a virtual machine. For a new installation, it is recommended to use the current operating system, but older operating systems are also compatible. For a virtual machine, the server requires 4 to 6 cores, at least 32 GB of RAM, and SSD hard drives. The necessary resources also depend on the number of data points and write cycles.

The duration of the KRIS implementation depends largely on the complexity of your production landscape and IT infrastructure. In many cases, however, implementation can be completed very quickly: if the technical requirements are met, it is possible to start data collection within a day. Thanks to KRIS's modular architecture and flexible interfaces, the system can be quickly adapted to existing processes—without lengthy conversions or costly integration projects.

The standard interfaces OPC DA and UA or any interface depending on your requirements.

KRIS can be flexibly integrated into existing IT and production landscapes. It supports the connection of a wide variety of systems, including sensors and production control systems such as SCADA, MES, PLS, PLC, and QLS. In addition, ERP systems as well as business intelligence and dashboard applications can also be easily integrated. KRIS thus enables consistent data collection and processing across all relevant levels—from production to corporate management.

KRIS offers flexible options for collecting and evaluating data across multiple plants or locations. Depending on the infrastructure and requirements, a central KRIS server can be used for multiple plants, provided that a stable data connection between the locations and a manageable amount of data are guaranteed.

Alternatively, a separate KRIS server can be operated at each location or plant for local data collection. The collected data can then be queried and evaluated via a central KRIS server. This architecture enables both decentralized data collection and centralized analysis – ideal for companies with multiple production sites or complex plant structures.

Any type of text- or number-based data, e.g., energies, temperatures, flow rates, weights, states, product names, etc.

The data can be recorded and stored on a time-based or batch-based basis.

Both continuous and batch processes can be monitored and controlled. For batch processes, there is event-driven data collection in KRIS.

The data can be stored for many years or even decades, depending on the storage capacity.

KRIS offers a wide range of report types and analysis tools that can be individually tailored to the requirements of the industrial environment. These include daily reports, batch reports, raw data reports, and freely configurable reports. For visual representation, various formats are available, including time series diagrams, heat maps, Pareto diagrams, Sankey diagrams, pie charts, and tabular evaluations. This allows complex relationships to be quickly grasped and informed decisions to be made.

KRIS is not a standard off-the-shelf solution—we develop tailor-made software that is precisely customized to the individual requirements and processes of our customers. Our range of services extends from customized applications and intelligent interfaces to the integration of complex system landscapes.

Whether you need special functions, industry-specific workflows, or the integration of modern technologies, KRIS can be flexibly expanded. This includes specialized apps and the integration of state-of-the-art AI technologies to further automate processes and intelligently evaluate data. The result is a solution that not only impresses technically, but also fits strategically with your company.

KRIS is designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing it to adapt to growing production environments. With the help of the integrated master function, multiple KRIS instances, each representing a production line, can be connected to each other. This allows data to be collected and evaluated individually and precisely for each line.

In addition, the master KRIS enables central evaluation of all connected production lines, providing a comprehensive overview of the entire production process – ideal for higher-level analyses, quality management, or strategic decisions. This architecture allows for easy expansion without affecting existing systems.

KRIS is a modular system that offers maximum flexibility in terms of customization and configuration. You decide which apps you want to use—based entirely on the requirements of your production and IT landscape. At the heart of the system is the KRIS Workspace, which acts as a central hub, bundling all applications and giving you full control over the system.

The user interface can be customized: Widgets from the various apps can be freely positioned, resized, and visually configured. Interactive content can be displayed in a variety of ways, from bar and pie charts to heat maps, allowing you to visualize your data in the way that makes the most sense for your processes.

KRIS relies on a robust system architecture to reliably prevent data loss and ensure high availability. This includes installation in high-availability (HA) environments, which enable uninterrupted operation even in the event of system failures. In addition, redundant databases are used to ensure that the information collected is doubly secured.

Automated backup processes ensure that data is backed up regularly and can be quickly restored if necessary. This means that your production remains data-secure and operational at all times, even in the event of technical malfunctions or maintenance work.

KRIS attaches great importance to IT security and protects your data using modern and proven security mechanisms. Communication between system components is encrypted, ensuring that data is reliably protected against unauthorized access during transmission.

In addition, KRIS uses state-of-the-art authentication procedures to ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive information and functions. The architecture is also firewall-friendly, enabling easy and secure integration into existing IT security concepts—without complex exceptions or special configurations.

Data is backed up using backup software such as Veeam, which enables regular and complete backups of both files and databases. In addition, automatic backups are performed within the system to ensure that the latest data is available at all times.

KRIS enables complete traceability of production steps—from the use of raw materials to the finished product. Each individual step in the production process can be recorded separately and then logically linked together. This allows batches and process sequences to be traced at any time, which is particularly important for quality assurance, audits, and recall management.

Data collection is not limited to specific values: KRIS can record raw materials, process parameters, energy consumption, and many other types of data and display them in a structured manner. This results in transparent and consistent documentation of your production – in line with Industry 4.0.

With a system maintenance contract, updates are performed twice a year or annually, and maintenance is performed annually. Without a maintenance contract, updates and maintenance can be performed on request.

Further information can be found here.

If you encounter any problems or have any questions while working with KRIS on a daily basis, you can contact us for personal support. You also have the option of booking a support package with 10 hours of on-demand application and telephone support. Regular updates and maintenance are included in the maintenance contract.

Yes, we offer a wide range of training courses tailored to your needs.

• Operator training: Here we explain the general operation of KRIS, go through all the functions, and provide support, particularly with regard to your questions about working with KRIS on a daily basis.
• Administrator training: Here we go into more technical detail. We explain how to use the KRIS server and all the steps involved in project planning in KRIS.

If you have a specific topic in mind, we are also happy to offer you a customized training program. The training courses take place at our training center in Freiburg or, if you prefer, at your premises.

Further information can be found here.