Independence & scalability – for HMIs that can grow with you

This article is part of the series Futureproof HMIs.

Industrial companies are increasingly faced with the challenge of dealing with unpredictable market conditions, supply chain problems, and geopolitical uncertainties. Whether it's new customs regulations, supply bottlenecks for touch panels, or the end of Windows support for embedded devices—those who make themselves technologically dependent lose control and time.

Therefore:

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Whether display sizes, operating systems, controllers, or cloud connections—modern HMIs must be flexible and adaptable.
• Develop independently of manufacturers: Put an end to proprietary formats and toolchains. Open standards such as web technologies, OPC UA, or MQTT create investment security.
• Separate frontend and backend: This is the only way to use the interface on different devices – from industrial PCs to smartphones.
• Don't give away monopolies: If you run everything through one provider, you'll end up paying for it in the long run – in terms of delivery times, updates, adjustments, or scaling.

It is still unclear which data will be visualized in the future, which sensor technology will be integrated, or which new user groups will need to be served. Planning too narrowly now will only hinder your progress. That is why openness and modularity are essential features of future-proof HMIs:

• Remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, new role models – the interfaces must be open today, even if the use cases will only come tomorrow.
• Bring your own device: Mobile operation is increasingly becoming the standard – not only in service, but also in production.
• More panels, more locations, more users: The system must be able to scale without complexity exploding.

💡 Web technology is a real enabler here: it runs on almost any device, adapts responsively to different resolutions, and offers maximum connectivity thanks to open standards.

In addition to independence, scalability is the second major goal. After all, good HMIs should not only work today, but also tomorrow, the day after tomorrow – and ideally in all of a company's product lines.

Important principles:

• Start small, think big: First build a prototype for one product generation – then, after successful validation, transfer it to other products or entire plants.
• Use a design system: A well-designed UI library creates recognition, reduces training times, and keeps interfaces consistent in the long term.
• No knowledge silos: Systems and tools must be designed in such a way that they remain comprehensible even after personnel changes or external projects.
• Increase bus factor: If only one person knows the UI framework, the risk is high. Low barriers to entry and intuitive tools are better.
• SDK with no-code protection: A software development kit (SDK) creates opportunities—but it must not render the interface unusable, for example, through performance-consuming scripts. Tools such as HELIO combine SDK with a no-code environment to combine security and flexibility.

HELIO was developed with precisely these requirements in mind:

• Platform-independent: Whether Windows, Linux, or embedded – HELIO runs wherever a browser runs.
• Open & connectable: Interfaces to OPC UA and MQTT are available out of the box. Proprietary protocols can be created individually.
• Design system & component library: Consistency and reuse are firmly integrated.
• No-code meets SDK: Customizations are possible without programming knowledge – and there is still enough scope for developers to implement complex extensions securely.
• Scalable license structure: From individual projects to corporate solutions – HELIO grows with you.

Conclusion: The future is what grows—not what binds

Industrial HMIs must be able to adapt—to new devices, new roles, new markets. Those who focus on openness, flexibility, and modularity today will remain capable of acting in the long term.

💡 Independence and scalability are not technical extras – they are strategic imperatives.

HELIO is a platform that implements these principles from the ground up – so that your HMIs can grow with your business.

From individual project to group solution
A global HMI concept for the COESIA Group.
hmi-project.com/en/news/from-single-project-to-group-solution

Platform independence, scaling & integration
How HELIO enables maximum independence with web technology, open architecture, and configurable interfaces.
helio-hmi.com/en/features

Licensing models for scalable HMI projects
From pilot projects to rollout at the corporate level—flexible licensing models without vendor lock-in.
helio-hmi.com/en/pricing

HELIO system architecture – separation of frontend & backend
How modular architecture supports independence and reusability.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/reference/runtime

Cross-platform use – embedded to cloud
HELIO Runtime runs wherever modern browsers run – without being tied to specific hardware.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/help/hmi/run-hmi-on-touch-panel

SDK & extensibility without breaks
Developer-friendly SDK with secure integration into the no-code/low-code concept.
docs.helio-hmi.com/releases/25.2.0

Design system & component library
Consistency and scalability through central UI building blocks.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/reference/design-system

Organizing HMIs Perfectly – Getting Started With HELIO
vimeo.com/1082523893

Page Groups – Getting Started With HELIO
vimeo.com/1035989897

Tab Groups – Getting Started with HELIO
vimeo.com/1035989940

Page Overlays – Getting Started with HELIO
vimeo.com/1035989983

Linear Flow – Getting Started with HELIO
vimeo.com/1035981555

Avoiding Vendor Lock-In – ThoughtWorks Technology Radar
Strategies for technology decisions that ensure long-term independence.
thoughtworks.com/radar/techniques/avoid-vendor-lock-in

Frontend-Backend Separation – Best Practices (Martin Fowler)
Why decoupling the UI and backend is crucial for scalability.
martinfowler.com/articles/micro-frontends.html

Design Systems for Scale (UX Collective)
How to establish UI standards for multiple teams, locations, or product lines.
medium.com/@jamillazarev/building-and-scaling-design-systems-with-expansion-design-methodology-d9cc33b1d4f7

No-code meets dev – platforms that enable both
Decision-making aids for the mix of no-code flexibility and SDK extensibility.
gartner.com/en/documents/6130259

This article is part of the series:

1. User-centered approach
Those who focus on people rather than products not only get more satisfied users, but also better products.
Read More

2. Technological future-proofing
Web technology is leading the way because it offers a huge user base, established standards, and open interfaces.
Read More

3. Process and resource efficiency
Efficient HMIs don't happen by chance—they happen through clear processes, the right tools, and good role distribution.
Read More

4. Independence & scalability
When creating industrial HMIs, you should not tie yourself to suppliers or hardware. Independence is key, and here's why:

5. There is only one team
Successful HMIs are not created by tools or technology alone—they are created through genuine collaboration.
Read more

6. Practical sense
This is our ultimate ingredient for building future-proof HMIs. The best part is that it is usually already built in at the factory.
Read More