FAQs

Find answers to the most common questions about Barbara, including deployment, Edge AI operations, security, scalability, licensing, and support

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What's Barbara

Why Barbara

Cybersecurity & Compliance

How It Works

Integrations & Ecosystem

Marketplace & Partners

Business Value

What's Barbara

What is Barbara?

Barbara is an Edge Management and Orchestration platform for the industry. It enables OT teams to securely deploy, manage, and scale applications and AI models across distributed infrastructure. Barbara combines an industrial cybersecure OS for edge nodes bundled with a software agent for remote device management (Barbara Core), a centralized management platform (Barbara Panel), and a catalog of more than 150 ready-to-deploy applications (Barbara Marketplace) into a unified stack built particularly for energy, utilities and manufacturing realities worldwide.

Which industries and use cases are best suited for Barbara?

Barbara is designed for industrial organizations operating distributed infrastructure in sectors such as smart water and wastewater, logistics, pharmaceuticals, cement, food and beverage, oil and gas. It is primarily used in critical infrastructures, particularly in the energy, utilities, and manufacturing sectors. Common use cases include predictive analytics, digital twins, Unified Namespace (UNS), edge orchestration, real-time asset monitoring, AI model deployment at the edge, substation virtualization, machine servitization, process optimization, system interoperability, and cybersecurity.

How is Barbara different from a traditional edge gateway or an IoT platform?

Traditional edge gateways handle connectivity but don't provide orchestration, lifecycle management, the deployment of different applications and AI models or cybersecurity at the OS level. Cloud IoT platforms assume constant connectivity and are not designed for the constraints of industrial OT environments. Barbara provides the full stack — OS, orchestration, marketplace, and security — purpose-built for distributed industrial environments with intermittent connectivity, legacy hardware, and OT operational requirements.

Why is Barbara different from other Industrial Edge platforms?

Three key differentiators:

Built for industrial environments. Barbara is designed from the ground up for distributed OT infrastructure — not adapted from IT tooling. That means industrial cybersecurity is built in by design (IEC 62443-certified), and the platform is flexible enough to fit any deployment model: SaaS, on-premise, or private cloud.
Designed for OT teams, not IT experts. Barbara is built around the reality that its users are OT engineers, not cloud-native developers. Every operation — deploying an application, onboarding a device, pushing an update — is designed to be completed in a few clicks, with minimal learning curve and a visual, intuitive interface.
AI-ready from day one. Barbara orchestrates containerized workloads across edge nodes — so any industrial application that runs in Docker can be deployed and managed through Barbara Panel on generic hardware. Beyond containers, Barbara includes native integration with the main AI frameworks (TensorFlow, ONNX, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, and XGBoost) to simplify the deployment and orchestration of AI models at the edge.

Do I need Kubernetes to use Barbara?

No. Barbara uses containerized workloads but does not require Kubernetes expertise. Applications are deployed and managed through Barbara Panel without needing to configure or operate Kubernetes clusters. In fact, Barbara believes Kubernetes is not the right fit for industrial edge infrastructure — you can read more about why in our blog: Why Kubernetes isn't ideal for industrial infrastructure. For teams that already use Kubernetes, contact our team for current orchestration options and roadmap.

Why Barbara

Do I need an IT team to deploy and operate Barbara?

No. Barbara is designed for OT engineers to deploy and maintain without cloud-native expertise. The IT complexity — containerization, networking, security, remote updates — is provided by the platform with a user-friendly experience. You don't need a dedicated IT/OT engineer to operate Barbara at the edge.

I already have a SCADA and a MES. Do I need Edge Computing on top of that?

Barbara does not replace your SCADA or MES. It adds an orchestration and management layer on top of your existing OT systems — enabling you to run additional software workloads (AI models, data connectors, analytics applications) on the same edge infrastructure, securely and remotely, without modifying your control systems.

How does Barbara compare to cloud-only approaches for industrial data?

Cloud-only architectures assume constant connectivity, incur high data ingestion costs, and introduce latency that makes real-time industrial decisions impractical. Barbara processes data locally at the edge, sending only what is needed to the cloud. This reduces costs, maintains operational continuity during connectivity loss, and keeps sensitive process data under your control.

Can Barbara operate in offline or low-connectivity environments? How?

Yes. Barbara nodes continue operating autonomously when connectivity to Barbara Panel is interrupted — running all deployed applications without disruption. When connectivity is restored, the device automatically syncs its state with the platform. This makes Barbara suitable for remote substations, offshore facilities, and any environment with unreliable network access.

Can Barbara monitor industrial assets in real time from a central location?

Yes. Barbara Panel provides real-time visibility into all edge nodes, deployed applications, and device health from a single dashboard. Combined with applications from Barbara Marketplace — including monitoring tools, AI anomaly detection models, and Grafana dashboards — you can monitor assets across all your facilities from a central location without on-site visits.

How does Barbara deploy edge AI models and apps in days instead of months?

Because Barbara provides the full stack — OS, orchestration, marketplace, and security — built together rather than assembled from separate tools. 150+ pre-certified industrial and AI applications are available in Barbara Marketplace for one-click deployment. There is no need to build connectivity layers, configure security from scratch, or integrate disparate tools. The infrastructure is ready; you focus on deploying your use case. Sign up and start in minutes.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

What security features does Barbara provide by default?

Barbara follows the industry standard IEC 62443 and includes secure boot, Trusted Platform Module-based device identity, encrypted communications (TLS), and zero-pass provisioning by design. The platform follows GSMA, OWASP or the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) cybersecurity recommendations. Contact us if you want more details.

Is Barbara certified or compliant with ISO 27001/9001 and sector regulations?

Yes. Barbara holds ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 27001 certifications.

How is data secured at rest and in transit? Who owns the data?

Data processed at the edge stays on your infrastructure. Barbara moves your data without accessing it — your data is yours. All communications between edge nodes and Barbara Panel are encrypted (TLS). For a full security and data sovereignty brief — including deployment options across shared SaaS, private cloud, and on-prem — contact our team.

How It Works

Do I need additional hardware to use Barbara?

Barbara is an edge orchestration platform, so it requires edge nodes to manage. These are typically generic industrial PCs from a variety of manufacturers — Barbara is hardware-agnostic and supports a wide range of validated Intel and ARM devices. Edge nodes can also be virtual machines running in your own data center. If your organization does not have existing edge nodes, our team can help you select and validate the right hardware for your use case.

Do I need to replace my existing legacy equipment?

It depends on what you mean by legacy equipment:

Industrial control devices (PLCs, RTUs, DCS...): Barbara does not replace these — it runs alongside them. See the previous question (I already have a SCADA and a MES) for more detail on how Barbara coexists with your existing control systems.
Existing industrial PCs or gateways: Probably not. Barbara Core can be installed on many existing industrial PCs, but compatibility depends on the hardware's specifications and capabilities. Our team conducts an assessment to evaluate your current equipment and recommend the best path forward — whether that's reusing existing hardware, upgrading selectively, or adding new edge nodes.

What are the hardware requirements to run Barbara Core on an edge node?

Barbara is a hardware-agnostic platform designed to run across a broad variety of devices — regardless of brand, architecture, or form factor. Hardware requirements are minimal by design. Barbara Core is compatible with most major edge hardware manufacturers. Check the full list of supported hardware.

Need to validate your existing equipment? Contact our team — we're happy to assess your hardware and guide you through our Barbara Core porting service.

Can Barbara help me choose the most appropriate edge nodes?

Yes. Barbara's team assists with hardware selection and capacity planning based on your intended applications and reference projects — from pilot to full-scale deployment. Contact our team to discuss your use case and receive hardware recommendations.

What are the typical deployment models?

Barbara is available in three deployment models:

SaaS — cloud-hosted, managed by Barbara.
On-premise — Barbara Panel and Marketplace installed in your own environment.
Private cloud — hosted in your preferred region for data residency and sovereignty requirements.

How does onboarding of a new edge device work? Is it zero-touch?

Getting a new edge device up and running with Barbara is fully zero-touch. Simply install Barbara Core in the edge device and from that moment the platform automatically handles secure configuration, encryption, and activation — no manual steps, no specialized IT expertise, no complex provisioning workflows. Your node is discovered, configured, and ready to receive workloads in minutes, not days.

Create a free account and add your first node now.

How are remote updates and patches managed without disrupting operations?

Barbara supports over-the-air (OTA) updates — manual, scheduled, or triggered — across all managed devices from Barbara Panel. Updates follow a two-phase model: a bandwidth-managed download phase and an independently scheduled deployment phase, so you decide when to consume bandwidth and exactly when the update is applied to each device. This is especially useful for nodes running on metered or limited connectivity. Real-time visibility into every phase of the process is available directly from Barbara Panel. All updates include rollback capability to ensure operational continuity if an issue arises during the update process.

Can I try Barbara without cost?

Yes, Barbara operates on a freemium model. You can sign up, add one node for free, and start operating. For pricing, multi-site terms and customer support licenses, contact our team.

Can Barbara manage virtual machines and containers on the same device?

Yes. Barbara Core supports both containerized applications such as Docker and virtual machines on the same edge node — allowing you to run modern and legacy workloads side by side. This makes it possible to modernize your infrastructure incrementally without replacing existing systems.

Integrations & Ecosystem

Which industrial protocols are supported (OPC-UA, Modbus, MQTT...)?

Barbara supports all major industrial protocols, either using connectors or through certified third-party applications available in the Marketplace. Directly available connectors include MQTT, OPC-UA, OPC-DA, Siemens-S7, IEC-104, IEC-61850, Modbus RTU/TCP, BACnet, Sparkplug B, EtherNet-IP, Omron FINS, Mitsubishi MELSEC, OCPP 1.6, etc — deployable in minutes with no custom integration required. Through third-party applications in the Marketplace, coverage extends to a much broader set of protocols, including DNP3, IEC 60870-5-104, PROFINET, IO-Link, MTConnect, Fanuc FOCAS, and many more — covering 250+ industrial protocols in total and ensuring compatibility with virtually any PLC, sensor, or industrial equipment in your environment.

Does Barbara support the MING stack?

Yes. Barbara supports the MING stack (MQTT, InfluxDB, Node-RED, Grafana), all available as ready-to-deploy applications via Barbara Marketplace.

Which industrial automation platforms can I run on Barbara?

Barbara is open by design — you can run virtually any industrial automation platform that can be containerized or deployed as a virtual machine on an edge node. That said, Barbara Marketplace already includes a number of leading platforms ready to deploy in a few clicks, including Inductive Automation Ignition, Kepware/KepServerEX, and AVEVA.

Can we connect to cloud services like Azure and AWS?

Yes. Barbara supports cloud connectivity to Azure and AWS. The Marketplace includes connectors for cloud platforms and databases like OPC-UA and MQTT Broker. In case of specific needs, you can check the apps available at Barbara Marketplace or contact our team to confirm availability.

How can I deploy AI models and support MLOps at the edge with Barbara?

You can upload your AI models or they can be deployed as containerized applications via Barbara Panel, directly from Barbara Marketplace. Models run locally at the edge node, processing data in real time without cloud dependency. Applications such as MLflow are also supported for MLOps workflows.

Can I deploy my own custom applications on Barbara?

Yes. In addition to Marketplace applications, you can deploy your own applications via Barbara Panel. Custom applications are managed with the same lifecycle tools — deployment, monitoring, updates, rollback — as Marketplace apps.

Marketplace & Partners

What is Barbara Marketplace and what applications are available?

Barbara Marketplace is a catalog of 150+ certified industrial and AI applications ready to deploy on edge nodes from Barbara Panel in a few clicks — no custom development or integration work required. Applications include data connectors (OPC-UA, Modbus, MQTT brokers such as HiveMQ), analytics and visualization tools (Grafana, InfluxDB, Node-RED), AI/ML frameworks, and industry-specific workloads for energy, water, manufacturing, logistics, and more.

How can I publish my application in Barbara Marketplace?

Contact our team to learn about requirements and commercial terms.

What types of partners does Barbara work with, and who are the main ones?

Barbara works with system integrators (SIs), independent software vendors (ISVs), original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and consultancies. Key strategic partners include N3uron, Inductive Automation, Tech Mahindra, Gridfy, AG Solution, NTT Data, Schneider Electric and Factovia. Partners help customers move from pilot projects to production-scale deployments.

How can I become a partner?

Barbara has a structured partner program with different tiers for system integrators, ISVs, and technology partners. Contact our team to learn about the qualification scheme and next steps.

Business Value

What ROI can we expect and in what timeframe?

ROI starts from day one. The most immediate savings come from eliminating field visits. With Barbara you can remotely provision 200 nodes across 12 sites overnight, push a configuration change to 15,000 substations at once, or update firmware across 21 clusters without interrupting service.

With the deployment of the first application, Barbara also provides real-time visibility and automated maintenance that adds up to less unplanned downtime, faster response to incidents, and lower cost per managed device as you scale.

The numbers depend on your fleet size, geography, and use case. See how other customers have done it in our Success Stories, or contact our team for a tailored estimate.

How does Barbara improve operational efficiency and reduce costs?

Barbara enables remote operations at scale (e.g., pushing a configuration change to 15,000 substations at once) and provides real-time monitoring and visibility (e.g., monitoring RAM and storage across 1,300 nodes in real time), allowing industrial teams to manage distributed infrastructure from a single platform, reduce operational effort, and respond faster to issues. By centralizing operations and giving teams instant visibility into asset health and performance, Barbara helps reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency across multiple sites.

It also supports automated maintenance (e.g., updating firmware across 21 clusters without interrupting service), AI predictive applications (e.g., deploying a predictive model to 30 pumps), infrastructure modernization (e.g., connecting a 10-year-old PLC to the cloud), and security & compliance (e.g., securing workloads under IEC 62443). Together, these capabilities help organizations extend the life of existing assets, optimize maintenance activities, strengthen cybersecurity, and accelerate their digital transformation while lowering operational costs.

What support does Barbara offer beyond the platform?

Beyond the platform, Barbara offers:

Certified partners support solution design, deployment, and scaling across your projects.
Barbara experts and partners provide training, onboarding, and professional services to ensure successful adoption.

Contact our team to find the right support for your project.

Can't find a solution to your question?

If you would like more information on what use cases you can implement and how to do it, please contact one of our experts.

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FAQs

What's Barbara

Why Barbara

Cybersecurity & Compliance

How It Works

Integrations & Ecosystem

Marketplace & Partners

Business Value

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