Technologically future-proof – with web technology for long-term success

This article is part of the series Futureproof HMIs.

Web technologies—such as JavaScript, React, and Rust—have been the basis for dynamic, scalable, and future-proof applications for years.

• JavaScript: Platform-independent, supported by every browser, easy to learn, and incredibly robust thanks to decades of use.
• React: Modern, modular UI components, high reusability, virtual DOM for smooth real-time updates, strong ecosystem and community.
• Rust: Extremely high-performance, secure, and system-level programming – ideal for web backends, embedded systems, or WebAssembly components, with full control and minimal hardware footprint.

💡 Years of evolution of these technologies mean long-proven standards, standardized interfaces, and huge developer communities – perfect conditions for future-proof systems.

A key aspect of technological future-proofing is the ability to communicate with different systems, regardless of the manufacturer. OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) has established itself in industrial automation as the standard for platform-independent and secure data exchange.

The advantages at a glance:

• Interoperability: OPC UA enables cross-manufacturer communication between machines, controllers, sensors, and software solutions.
• Scalability: From embedded devices to the cloud, OPC UA works at all levels of modern automation.
• Security: Integrated mechanisms for authentication, encryption, and access control make OPC UA fit for industrial security requirements.
• Standardization: Consistently defined information models (e.g., for machine states, alarms, or production data) greatly facilitate integration.

HELIO natively supports OPC UA, allowing data from machine controllers to be visualized, processed, and translated into usable information in real time. This saves integration effort and secures investments in the long term.

Those who still cling to static HMIs today are missing out on the potential of modern web technology:

• Today vs. 5–10 years ago: Single-page apps, live data streams, responsive design, WebAssembly performance—all of these were hardly conceivable in the past, but today they are standard.
• Web technology innovates organically – millions of developers are driving new standards, frameworks, and tools.
• No experimentation necessary: client/server architecture is established, embedding PDFs, graphics, videos, other applications, integration of printers, SCADA systems, and databases are possible out of the box.

HELIO makes consistent use of this technological basis:

• State-of-the-art web architecture: Developers work in JavaScript/TypeScript with React – proven patterns, component-based development.
• Rust-powered performance: WebAssembly modules make HELIO fast, stable, and resource-efficient in critical use cases.
• Clear separation of projects and programming: HELIO enables project planning without programming knowledge and ensures greater security through clearly defined interfaces and a high degree of test automation.
• Out-of-the-box integration: Interfaces to OPC UA and MQTT are already available.
• Graphical editor & live preview: HELIO allows teams to build interfaces visually – without in-depth frontend expertise.

💡 This eliminates training barriers, drastically reduces time-to-market, and paves the way for future integrations.

If you want to build HMIs that are competitive in the long term, you mustn't ignore modern web technologies for fear of complexity. On the contrary: web technology is now the most secure foundation for industrial HMIs – because it is open, flexible, powerful, and future-proof. HELIO shows how these technologies can be mastered and used systematically to create future-proof, highly dynamic, and maintainable UIs.

HELIO – UI platform based on modern web technology
Overview of technologies used and system requirements.
helio-hmi.com/en/facts

HELIO and open web standards
Web technology: Independent & future-proof
helio-hmi.com/en/features

HELIO architecture & tech stack (React, TypeScript, Rust)
Background information on the technological basis of HELIO and how it ensures long-term maintainability.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/getting-started/quick-tour

OPC UA integration in HELIO
Natively integrated interface for real-time communication with machines – flexible and standards-compliant.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/reference/data-layer/data-source-types/plc-connection/opc-ua-connection

Live Preview & Component Model
Web-based development environment for quick preview and iteration.
docs.helio-hmi.com/docs/getting-started/build-your-first-hmi/preview-hmi

FAQ Fridays #4 Why do HELIO HMIs run in a browser?
vimeo.com/852500217

FAQ Fridays #5 What does “truly responsive” mean?
vimeo.com/855268785

React – Official documentation
Getting started, component model, community resources – the basis for HELIO's UI layer.
reactjs.org/docs/getting-started.html

TypeScript – Official website
Extension of JavaScript for secure, scalable web development.
typescriptlang.org

Rust – Systems Programming with WebAssembly Support
The language behind HELIO's high-performance runtime – secure, fast, future-proof.
rust-lang.org

OPC UA – Overview at the OPC Foundation
The interoperability standard for industrial communication.
opcfoundation.org/about/opc-technologies/opc-ua

MQTT – Lightweight messaging protocol for IIoT
Ideal for cloud integration, sensor data, and real-time machine communication.
mqtt.org

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.

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:
Read More

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