Kontron: iOS app for managing embedded devices

Business context

Kontron is a global leader in embedded technology, helping shape standards for embedded computer platforms. The company serves OEMs and system integrators worldwide, with 30% of its team engaged in research and development, consistently investing in innovation.

In 2014, Kontron needed a mobile tool that would enable users to quickly view and manage embedded devices on a local network from an iPad. The goal was also to demonstrate that a mobile app could become a natural interface for the IoT/embedded ecosystem, combining convenience with real operational needs.

Together, we planned a solution that consolidated device information, simplified diagnostics, and accelerated the work of service teams and end customers, while maintaining high reliability and usability.

Challenge

The key challenge was collecting and presenting dispersed telemetry from Kontron devices in a clear way on a mobile device. The app had to automatically detect hardware on the local network, aggregate parameters, and provide quick insight into the status of each node.

Equally important was ensuring remote control and service support. Integration with VNC, the ability to adjust settings, and built-in diagnostics required stable network communication and well-designed navigation so that users could respond to events safely and quickly.

It was also necessary to standardise the way common faults were indicated, including temperature anomalies, GPIO errors, and fan issues, in order to simplify device maintenance and reduce the risk of downtime.

Solution

The team developed a native iOS app that scans the local network and automatically discovers Kontron devices. For each one, key information and operating parameters are displayed, while the user is given a set of contextual actions that increase control over the hardware.

The app enables remote control, including establishing sessions via VNC and adjusting selected functions such as brightness. The diagnostics module identifies issues related to temperature, GPIO, and fans, supporting ongoing maintenance and extending device lifespan.

As a result, users gained convenient mobile visibility of the device fleet from an iPad, which simplifies management, speeds up diagnostics, and increases the efficiency of operational teams.