Xentara, the Munich-based software company advancing software-defined manufacturing, welcomed more than 100 technology leaders to Munich on 1 July for the second edition of Xentara Connection Day. Bringing together speakers and participants from organisations including Roland Berger, Omdia, WAGO, Advantech, Prognostica, DashSet, ValueMiner and BenThor Automation, the event demonstrated how software-defined manufacturing and Physical AI are rapidly moving from industry vision to practical deployment.
Through keynote presentations, customer case studies and live demonstrations, Xentara showcased how manufacturers can modernise existing production systems by introducing AI, robotics and intelligent automation without replacing installed equipment or becoming locked into proprietary hardware. Instead, software-defined architectures allow intelligence to be layered onto existing machines, accelerating digital transformation while protecting previous investments.
The event also marked the appointment of Andreas Geiss as Chief AI Officer at Xentara. A recognised industrial technology executive with leadership experience spanning Siemens and Aleph Alpha, Geiss will lead the company’s AI strategy and help accelerate the adoption of Physical AI through software-defined manufacturing.
The conference programme brought together a high-calibre line-up of keynotes delivered by industry experts. Patrick Ruthardt, Principal at Roland Berger, opened the event by explaining why software-defined manufacturing provides the foundation for Physical AI. Andreas Geiss discussed the growing competitive pressures facing European industry, while Anna Ahrens, Principal Analyst at Omdia, demonstrated how lessons learned from software-defined vehicles are increasingly shaping the future of industrial automation.
The conference also focused heavily on practical implementation. Armin Grozinger, CEO of Benthor Automation, demonstrated a laser system running in real time using software-defined automation, illustrating how existing industrial equipment can be modernised through software rather than hardware replacement. Jürgen Pfeifer and Alexander Fugmann of WAGO demonstrated how real-time industrial control can be combined with local AI inference, while Kristina Krebs, Co-Founder of Prognostica, presented a customer case showing how AI is already improving quality control in optical sorting systems.
The wider technology ecosystem was represented by Advantech, DashSet, Studio Fluffy and ValueMiner. Dr Johannes Riesterer of Studio Fluffy demonstrated how scientific computing can be integrated into industrial applications through the Xentara ecosystem, Michael Weber of ValueMiner showcased a voice-controlled robotic arm running on the Xentara platform, while Umar Ahmad of Advantech examined the realities of Edge AI performance and benchmarking. The conference concluded with Michael Schwarz and Robert Schachner of Xentara presenting their outlook on the technology trends expected to shape industrial automation through to 2030.
Beyond the conference sessions, attendees experienced a tabletop exhibition featuring demonstrations from Xentara and partner companies including WAGO, Hilscher, COLIGO (BE Services), Prognostica, DashSet, ValueMiner, Tronic One and Benthor Automation. Industry organisations including the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance and Bayern Innovativ / Bavarian Chips Alliance also participated, underlining the collaborative approach required to accelerate software-defined and AI-driven manufacturing.
“Connection Day exceeded our expectations,” said Michael Schwarz, CEO and Co-Founder of Xentara. “What stood out wasn’t simply the attendance, but the quality of the discussions taking place throughout the day. There was a clear recognition that industrial AI has moved beyond experimentation. Companies are now asking practical questions about how to deploy AI within existing production environments, integrate it with their existing infrastructure and scale it effectively. Bringing together technology providers, analysts and industrial users under one roof is exactly what Connection Day was created to do, and we’re delighted by the response.”
Following the success of this year’s event, Xentara has already begun planning Connection Day 2027. Conference proceedings summarising the presentations delivered throughout the day are now available, while a series of interviews and demonstration videos recorded during the event will be released over the coming weeks, extending the discussion beyond the conference itself.
For more information, visit https://xentara.io
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