When Software Toolbox launched in 1996, one of manufacturing’s biggest technology challenges was getting machines and industrial systems from different vendors to communicate. Today, manufacturers face a different challenge: turning the vast amounts of data those systems generate into useful insights for people and AI.
For 30 years, Software Toolbox, an industrial software company headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, has worked to solve those challenges. As the company marks its 30th anniversary this year, its evolution reflects a broader shift in manufacturing—from connecting equipment to making industrial data more accessible, meaningful, and actionable.
“When we started, industrial systems were largely closed off from one another, and connecting them often required proprietary hardware, custom programming, and significant effort,” said John Weber, founder of Software Toolbox. “We saw an opportunity to help manufacturers overcome those barriers by bringing emerging technology together with the need to run operations more effectively. The technology has changed dramatically since then, but the focus has remained the same—solving real customer problems.”
Today, manufacturers may have thousands or even hundreds of thousands of data points flowing across equipment, control systems, databases, and enterprise platforms. Yet having access to that data is only part of the equation. Companies must also make it understandable and useful enough to support faster decisions, more efficient operations, and emerging AI applications.
That shift is shaping Software Toolbox’s work today. Alongside its industrial connectivity and data software, the company is supporting the next phase of industrial technology through AI applications that help users interact with industrial data and troubleshoot technical issues using natural language. Its newest products include jonjon.ai, an AI assistant that helps engineers troubleshoot programmable logic controller (PLC) connectivity problems, and chatUNS.ai, which lets users ask questions about their plant data in plain English.
“Manufacturers don’t necessarily need to replace the systems they already rely on to begin realizing value from AI,” said Andres Naranjo, CEO of Software Toolbox. “The opportunity is to start with a real operational problem, make the right data accessible, and prove what’s possible. AI can help experienced employees solve problems faster and give newer team members better access to knowledge, while keeping human judgment at the center of the work.”
From its Matthews headquarters, Software Toolbox serves thousands of industrial organizations around the world and spans industries including manufacturing, energy and utilities, food and beverage, chemicals, and other industrial sectors.
Looking ahead, the company sees AI becoming an increasingly practical part of everyday manufacturing, helping teams troubleshoot issues, access operational knowledge, and improve productivity. For Software Toolbox, that future builds on a foundation established three decades ago: connecting industrial technology to solve the problems that matter most.