OMLOX Technology Solutions

What is omlox?

omlox is an open standard for real-time locating systems (RTLS) in industry and logistics, now backed by PROFIBUS & PROFINET International. It solves a problem familiar to many plants: location systems from different vendors and technologies do not talk to each other. omlox has two parts. The omlox air interface defines a vendor-independent UWB radio interface, so tags and anchors from different providers work together. The omlox hub is a software layer that merges positions from UWB, BLE, RFID, 5G or GPS into a shared coordinate system.

How omlox is used in the IIoT

omlox is used where several location technologies or vendors need to run side by side. A typical example is a plant that uses UWB in assembly for centimetre-accurate location of workpieces and screwdrivers, BLE in the warehouse for zone location of load carriers and GPS for vehicles on the outdoor site. With omlox, applications such as MES, material flow control or forklift guidance systems see all positions on one uniform map. Additional functions such as virtual zones and geofences trigger events, for example when a load carrier leaves an area.

How an omlox system is structured

At the bottom are the location systems, known as location providers: UWB anchors and tags following the omlox air interface, BLE systems, RFID read points or GPS trackers. The omlox hub receives their positions, converts them into a shared coordinate system and provides them via standardised interfaces such as REST API or WebSocket. Applications connect to the hub rather than to each individual location system. New technologies or vendors can be added later without adapting the applications.

omlox or proprietary RTLS?

A proprietary single-vendor location system is often faster to install and can be entirely sufficient for a single use case. The drawback shows later: tags, anchors and software are tied to one vendor, and every additional system needs its own interface. omlox prevents this lock-in and turns location into shared infrastructure that several departments and applications can use. This pays off especially in larger plants and long-term projects.

What to consider when choosing

Check whether the components offered are actually omlox-certified and which part of the standard they cover: the air interface, the hub or both. Then consider the required accuracy per area, integration with MES and intralogistics, and who will operate the hub. Because omlox is younger than many location technologies, it is worth looking at vendors' references and running installations.