Universal Machine Connector (UMC) from Bosch Manufacturing Solutions is an application for connecting to different industrial controls, shopfloor devices, IT systems or other data sources.
Depending on the configuration, the app reads variables, tags, datapoint values by means of various protocols and transfers them to a data target.
Examples for data sources, protocols and targets are:
Bosch Rexroth
Siemens S5, S7 & Sinumerik
Beckhoff (ADS)
Allen-Bradley (Ethernet/IP)
OPC UA
MongoDB, MQTT, Solace, Kafka, Nexeed, ProMaster, Python, Matlab, UDP, TCP, multiple file formats, and many more...
Data can be processed in real time or non-real time and can be transferred bidirectional. The number of connections as well as the used protocols depends on the UMC license.
Additionally, the UMC provides for bidirectional communication, e.g. between Allen-Bradley PLC systems and ctrlX Data Layer and Fanuc controller and ctrlX Data Layer. In the first quarter of 2026, this variant will be available via the standard license and the special Fanuc-Datalayer license.
Data acquisition is the basic functionality to implement use-cases for:
optimize production
connect to Scada or MES systems
process monitoring
data-based process optimizations, control loop implementations, user guidance and many more.
Your benefits at a glance
UMC
Supports a large variety of protocols
Developed with a broad and well-founded knowledge of industrial control and IT systems
Data can be processed in real time or non-real time
Data can be transferred bidirectional
Provides data and enables various I4.0 solution
UMC with fixed protocol specification
Low configuration effort by providing predefined configurations
Main Features
Licenses
One UMC license entitles to connect to one controller, if several controllers need to be connected further UMC licenses are needed. Each app can only handle one source and one target connection, but unlimited data points.
Standard license: All protocols for source and target can be used, e.g. OPC, Sinumerik, ...
Special license AllenBradley to ctrlX Data Layer: Fixed source and target combination
Special license Sinumerik to ctrlX Data Layer: Fixed source and target combination
Special license Fanuc FOCAS to ctrlX Data Layer: Fixed source and target combination (available in the first quarter 2026)
If you want to connect to more than one source (machine controller, …), we can provide the UMC triple license:
UMC triple license, which is valid for one UMC snap with a maximum of three data connections.
Further specific variants can be provided.
Prerequisites
none
Documentation
see download area of app
Support
Related Links
Curious?
You can test many apps free of charge with a virtual control system provided by ctrlX WORKS.
Just download ctrlX WORKS and follow this How-to
[link-button type="light" text="TRY IT NOW" target="_blank" href="https://community.boschrexroth.com/ctrlx-os-store-apps-oc2pqqwn/post/ctrlx-works-xOJLFLUiK4NGm5H"]
The Company
As a global supplier in the area of special purpose machinery, Bosch Manufacturing Solutions offers individual & intelligent assembly and testing solutions, incl. advanced manufacturing processes and technologies, digital & intelligent solutions and services along the entire product life cycle.
