Tool Comparison

Heisenware vs. Peakboard: The pragmatic comparison

Compare the Low-Code/No-Code-Tools Heisenware and Peakboard. Learn about their target groups, use cases, capabllities, features and much more.

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Summary: Heisenware vs. Peakboard

Heisenware is purpose-built for manufacturing—not just for dashboards, but for fully interactive shopfloor applications, workflows, machine control, and automation. It enables process engineers and application developers to build real apps that collect data, trigger actions, and adapt to different users and roles. With browser-based development, instant deployment, and native connectivity to industrial systems (Siemens S7, OPC UA, MQTT), Heisenware delivers real results—fast, without complex IT infrastructure.

Peakboard is optimized for visual data dashboards, OEE displays, Andon systems, production status boards, and digital signage. It excels at combining OT/IT data and displaying it in real time using on-premise hardware (Box/BYOD). Peakboard is ideal when you need edge-based visualization and offline-capable dashboards that run directly on Windows devices or industrial panels.

In short: Both support the shopfloor—but Heisenware is built for interactive applications, workflow automation, and scalable deployment, while Peakboard is built for real-time dashboards and visual data displays.

Detailed comparison of Heisenware and Peakboard

 

 

Heisenware

Peakboard

Target Group

  • is designed for manufacturers and machine builders (OEMs)—specifically small and mid-sized companies—who want to build custom IoT or shopfloor apps without relying on internal IT resources or external developers.

  • Personas: Process experts, OT specialists, manufacturing managers, and application developers who understand factory operations and want to build solutions independently without programming. Also suitable for software engineers who prefer to focus on business logic rather than repetitive infrastructure tasks.

  • Manufacturers, OEMs, and system integrators seeking to create custom dashboards, shopfloor apps, or IoT visualizations without relying heavily on internal IT or external developers.

  • Personas:  Production and logistics engineers, OT/automation experts, manufacturing managers, lean/continuous-improvement staff, and "citizen developers."

Key Use Cases

  • End-to-End Apps: Building complete custom applications for production monitoring, reporting, and asset tracking.

  • Process Automation: Automating machine-related tasks like monitoring, tracking, and reporting.

  • Connectivity: Live machine data acquisition via OPC UA, Siemens S7, MQTT, and more.

  • Visualization: Real-time production and shopfloor dashboards (OEE, status, utilization).

  • Asset Management: RFID-based asset tracking and digital tool management.

  • Real-time production monitoring, OEE dashboards, and digital Andon boards.

  • Worker assistance, digital work instructions, and assembly guidance.

  • Digital audits, shift books, quality control, and compliance tracking.

  • Paperless logistics: inventory visibility, warehouse management, and material flow tracking.

  • Team dashboards, shopfloor communication boards, and digital Kanban boards.

  • Energy monitoring, fleet and yard management, and smart check-in systems.

     

Key Capabilities

  • All-in-One Builder: Create complete end-to-end applications—from data acquisition and business logic to the final user interface—all in one platform.

  • Visual Development: Build complex logic and intuitive UIs with a drag-and-drop app builder.

  • Maintenance-Free: Operate custom applications as zero-maintenance configurations; there is no code to maintain and no IT overhead.

  • Instant Integration: Connect systems instantly with native connectors for industrial protocols and databases.

  • User Management: Manage users and access rights for each app from a central, no-code dashboard.

  • Build real-time dashboards, HMIs, and shopfloor applications using a visual low-code designer.

  • Combine data acquisition, processing, business logic, and user interface in one platform.

  • Run locally on edge devices (Peakboard Box or BYOD) with offline capability and no cloud dependency.

  • Connect to SAP, PLCs, MES, ERP, databases, APIs, sensors, and IoT systems using native connectors.

Key Differentiators

  • Built for Real Industrial Workflows: Create interactive, bidirectional web apps that collect data, trigger actions, control machines, and support real decision-making on the shopfloor.

  • Zero-Install Browser-Based Development: Build, test, and deploy directly in your browser—no heavy designer software, no setup, and no IT overhead.

  • Runs Anywhere (True Device Independence): Apps run instantly on any device with a browser—smartphones, tablets, Zebra scanners, Linux HMIs, industrial panels, laptops, or desktops. No installations required.

  • User-Aware and Role-Based: Apps automatically adapt to the person using them. Operators, supervisors, and managers see different views, buttons, and workflows based on their login.

  • One-Click Deployment to All Devices: Change an app and push it instantly across the entire shopfloor—no local updates, no manual installations, no downtime.

  • Lightweight, Secure Connectivity: A simple On-Premise Agent connects machines, PLCs, sensors, and databases securely—without VPNs, firewall reconfiguration, or complex hardware gateways.

  • Empowers Process Experts and Developers Alike: Built for application developers, engineers, and IT teams—visual no-code tools for speed, yet flexible enough for developers to customize further.

  • Runs fully on-premise, using either your own hardware (BYOD) or the Peakboard Box for real-time edge processing.

  • Hardware-based deployment enables low-latency dashboards, offline capability, and secure data handling directly on the shopfloor.

  • Allows both data visualization and interaction with SAP, PLCs, MES, databases, and machines.

  • Built for operations and citizen developers—no programming or heavy IT setup required.

Integrations & Connectors

  • Industrial PLCs & Interfaces: Siemens S7, Modbus, Heidenhain, Allen-Bradley, RS-232/485.

  • Industrial & IoT Protocols: OPC UA (Client & Server), MQTT, HTTP/REST, GraphQL.

  • Databases: Timeseries Database, Relational Databases (SQL), File I/O.

  • Enterprise Systems: SAP, Hydra MIP.

  • Hardware: Zebra RFID, Kuando Busylight, Label Printers.

  • System: Email, Operating System (OS) access.

  • Local Connection: A secure, downloadable On-Premise Agent bridges your private factory network to the cloud for seamless, secure data transfer.

  • With Peakboard Pro (BYOD and Box):

    • ERP, MES & WMS Systems: abas ERP, Epicor, FORCAM FORCE, MPDV HYDRA/MIP, MS Dynamics AX/365, Oracle NetSuite/JD Edwards, SAP DataHub.

    • Databases: Firebird, IBM DB2, InfluxDB, MS Access, MS SQL Server, Azure SQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL.

    • BI & Analytics: Google Data Studio, Grafana, Power BI, Qlik, Tableau.

    • Files & Documents: PDF, CSV, Excel, Google Drive/Sheets, SharePoint, OneDrive.
      Collaboration: Email, Hubspot, MS Teams, Trello.

    • IoT & Devices: Printers (ESC/POS, ZPL), ProGlove Scanners, Philips Hue, Fritz Smart Home.

    • Cloud Platforms: Databricks, Google Cloud Platform, Azure SQL.

  • With Peakboard Enterprise:

    • Includes all connectors of Peakboard Pro, PLUS:
      Industrial PLCs & Automation Systems: Beckhoff Automation, Fanuc, Mitsubishi Electric, Rockwell Automation, Siemens S7, WAGO.

    • Industrial & IoT Protocols: Azure Event & IoT Hub, Kepware (OPC UA/Modbus/MQTT gateway), MQTT, Modbus, OPC UA, Softing.

    • ERP, MES & Shopfloor IT Systems: IBM AS/400, Infor LN, MS Dynamics NAV, SAP ECC, SAP MES/SAP MII, SAP EWM, SAP S/4HANA (Cloud & On-Prem), SAP Integration Suite, SAP HANA DB.

    • Hardware: Werma (signal lights/Andon), wheel.me.

Setup & Onboarding

  • Instant Start: Browser-based platform with a free trial. Sign up online and start building immediately.

  • One-Click Deploy: Deploy apps to any device (desktop, tablet, smartphone) instantly as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).

  • Resources: Built-in tutorials and basic collaboration features included.

  • Note: Heisenware focuses on a fast, browser-based start with one-click deployment to any device—ideal for industrial or simple app setup.

  • Deployment Options:

    • Install Peakboard Runtime on your own hardware (BYOD).

    • Use a pre-configured Peakboard Box connected to a monitor.

  • Process: Download and configure Peakboard Designer to build dashboards, then connect your device/Box to the Designer for deployment.

  • Management: Peakboard Hub (optional, additional cost) enables central management of devices, users, data, and applications.

  • Resources: Templates, ready-made layouts, tutorials, help site, and webinars 

Hosting Options

  • Standard (SaaS): Fully hosted and managed by Heisenware on secure EU servers.

  • Optional (On-Premise): Self-host as a Docker application in your data center or on a standard Industrial PC (IPC) for complete data sovereignty.

  • On-Premise Only:

    • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Install Peakboard Runtime on your own Windows PC, industrial panel, or mini-computer. Runs locally with edge processing and no cloud dependency. Note: Not installed natively on mobile devices (Android/iOS), but dashboards can be accessed via browser if Hub is used.

    • Peakboard Box: Dedicated industrial-grade edge device with pre-installed Peakboard Runtime. Works offline and connects directly to PLCs, sensors, SAP, and databases.

Support & Community

  • Professional Support: Dedicated service and support packages are available directly from Heisenware, ensuring direct access to product experts rather than anonymous ticket queues.

  • Partner Network: A growing network of certified system integrator partners is available for hands-on implementation, project support, and optional services.

  • Access to an online help center with tutorials, templates, FAQs, and documentation.

  • Live webinars, training sessions, 1-day workshops, and optional consulting support.

  • Direct technical assistance.

Business Model

  • Subscription (SaaS):

    • Starter Plan: Low-cost entry. Includes up to 2 active apps, unlimited users, and EU cloud hosting.

    • Professional Plan: For scaling teams. Includes up to 5 active apps, unlimited users, EU cloud hosting, and enhanced support.

    • Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing. Flexible app volume, enterprise integrations, and choice of hosting (Cloud/On-Prem).

  • Complete Service Package: One-time fixed-price offer including process analysis, turnkey app development, and training.

  • Subscription (SaaS):

    • Peakboard Enterprise:

      • BYOD: Access to all available data sources, including PLC, IoT, and sensor interfaces.

      • Box: Access to all available data sources, including PLC, IoT, and sensor interfaces.


    • Peakboard Pro:

      • BYOD: Access to limited data sources (excludes most native PLC/IoT interfaces).

      • Box: Access to limited data sources (excludes most native PLC/IoT interfaces).

    • Peakboard Hub: Central platform for managing multiple devices (settings, users, updates, dashboards, device status).
FAQ

Questions and answers about how Heisenware is comparing with Peakboard

Which platform is more suitable for building full custom applications — Peakboard or Heisenware?

 Heisenware is built for creating complete, interactive applications, including forms, workflows, machine control, user authentication, input handling, and role-based behavior. It supports end-to-end app logic, actions, and decision-making, not just visualization.

Peakboard, on the other hand, focuses on data visualization and display dashboards, such as Andon boards, OEE dashboards, shopfloor communication boards, and KPI panels, but is less suited for building full applications with user interaction or workflow logic.

Which platform (Peakboard or Heisenware) is more scalable for multiple factories or production sites?

Heisenware supports true scalability across locations with browser-based apps, centralized cloud deployment, automatic updates, versioning, and user management. Apps can be deployed to any device, globally, with one click, without touching local hardware.

Peakboard requires local installation on each device (BYOD or Peakboard Box) and updates must be deployed individually. It does not offer cloud-native deployment, multi-tenant support, or automatic distribution across sites.

 

When should I choose Peakboard, and when is Heisenware the better option?

Choose Heisenware if you want to build interactive apps, workflow tools, digital forms, incident reporting, approval processes, asset tracking, or machine interaction—with centralized deployment and user management.

Choose Peakboard if your goal is to build visual dashboards, machine status displays, Andon boards, KPI panels, or digital shopfloor communication boards, running locally on industrial edge hardware (Box).