Start-up Snapdaq wants to connect past and future of manufacturing

By Aafke Eppinga

Engin Altındaş, founder of start-up Snapdaq, sees the need for digital transformation in manufacturing. Not as a buzzword, but as a means to optimise and cut energy costs. Snapdaq aims to accelerate this transition by providing a non-disruptive and wirelessly connected machine data collection hardware. The start-up offers its solution on an IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) ready platform.

The company is currently testing with a pilot integration with an MES developer (Manufacturing Execution System) and aims to build a growing business with industrial software companies and their system integrators. This episode of Start-up of the Day is a deeper dive into the company’s journey.

The genesis of Snapdaq

Snapdaq arose from the need to optimise operations and reduce energy consumption, a demand that has intensified in the manufacturing sector. Altındaş: “The idea germinated from a recurring theme at exhibitions – the increasing energy prices were upending production costs at manufacturers that were not previously bothered about tracking effectiveness of their production” he shares. This realisation, coupled with his broad experience in industrial manufacturing and automation, positioned him to address the challenges of digital transformation head-on. “We received a lot of interest from software solution companies that wanted to utilize machine data easily to visualize critical KPIs (key performance indicators, red.) for their end customers.”

Altındaş: “Artificial Intelligence and machine learning enable industrial machine data to be analysed at scale, improve productivity and prevent unplanned shutdowns. But the data analysis software applications often cannot reach out to the machine data easily. At Snapdaq, we solve exactly that problem. We want to be the #1 data collection solution choice of industrial data analysis solutions.”

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A seamless transition to digital

What Snapdaq offers is a tangible solution to an industry-wide problem. “We’ve developed non-disruptive, wirelessly connected machine data collection hardware,” Altındaş explains. These devices, such as the x1D6 data collection nodes, enable real-time data flow essential for robust data analysis. Snapdaq’s approach is to make the transition to digital seamless, connecting the dots between existing infrastructure and advanced data capabilities. Their hardware solutions sidestep the complexities of diverse technology stacks and protocols that often hinder software companies from effective implementation.

Challenges and triumphs

Navigating the market expectations and aligning them with Snapdaq’s innovative offerings has been a significant challenge, Altındaş admits. “Finding early adopter customers willing to take a leap of faith with a new company is not a simple task,” he says. Despite these hurdles, the CEO identifies his team’s enthusiasm and self-driven nature as the company’s most significant achievement.

A five-year vision

Looking ahead, Snapdaq’s ambitions are clear. “In five years, we aim to have built a growing business which is regarded by solution providers of Industry 4.0 as the de-facto data collection solution” sharesAltındaş. This goal is already taking shape with testing currently underway with a pilot customer in Istanbul and discussions with another potential customer who operates across Europe.

Why the Netherlands?

Altındaş’s decision to base Snapdaq in the Netherlands is strategic. “The smart industry is burgeoning here, and there’s a palpable sense of collaboration,” he says. The Netherlands serves as a central hub in Europe, allowing them to connect with a diverse range of companies. Eindhoven in particular also provides access to a talent pool that is conducive to innovation and progress in the smart industry.

In an era where digital transformation is not just desirable but essential, Altındaş wants to position Snapdaq as a catalyst for change. “With our innovative approach, we try to bridge the gap between legacy equipment and the cutting edge of industry 4.0. But, besides connecting machines, we also want to connect the past to a more efficient, sustainable future.”