iPlant

What iPlant does

iPlant (Shanghai Yipu Information Technology Co., Ltd.) is a privately held industrial software vendor headquartered in Caohejing Development Zone, Shanghai, founded in 2009 (rebranded to its present legal form in 2012) and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hangzhou Mutual Technology Co., Ltd. The company develops and sells the iPlant-ACC (Agile Cell Controller) smart MES platform, centered on quality traceability for discrete manufacturing, alongside a modular add-on suite covering WMS, SPC, Andon, EWI, EMS, APS, QMS, FLC, and dashboards. The company's core technical differentiation is a proprietary ACC-PLC communication protocol that delivers 50-80ms latency versus 200ms+ for OPC-based alternatives, allowing deployment on sub-1-second high-beat production lines without middleware, plus the PAA automotive-PLC interface standard, which has been adopted by China's National Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing, and the ACC-Comm ActiveX communication library. The Dandelion (蒲公英) open industrial internet platform extends the product surface into IIoT edge/cloud and has connected 200+ CNC and robot devices.

iPlant serves global Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive parts manufacturers (BorgWarner, TRW/ZF, Magna, Lear, Takata, Martinrea, LS Automotive, Hanwha Q CELLS in solar, Pride-Power in new-energy batteries) through a direct enterprise field sales motion with offices in Shanghai, Hangzhou, Changchun, Wuhan, and Xi'an, plus APS-Agile Plant Solution in Virginia and APS USA. Reported deployments cover 1000+ production lines in 56 factories globally, with the company claiming some of the largest validated base of automotive MES installations worldwide and outcomes such as 10% OEE uplift, 15% defect reduction, and 80% lower statistical costs in key component traceability projects.

The business model combines software licensing for the ACC platform with annual support and maintenance subscriptions (7x24 service, 2-hour domestic / 4-hour international response SLAs, first year of daily maintenance complimentary) and significant professional services revenue from implementation and on-site engineering; pricing is opaque and gated behind direct sales contact. The company has raised modest disclosed funding (~$952K across 2015 rounds plus a 2017 strategic investment from Hangzhou GongHu Technology and earlier support from Tsinghua Changsan Institute in 2015), has 11-50 employees, and continues to operate as a private firm under the iPlant/Yipu trade name.

Name

iPlant

Legal name

Shanghai Yipu Information Technology Co., Ltd. (上海以朴信息科技有限公司)

Website

https://iplant.com.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

iPlant provides proprietary ACC smart MES software and the Dandelion industrial IoT platform, with a self-developed high-speed PLC communication protocol, serving global Tier 1/2 automotive parts manufacturers and select electronics, battery, and solar manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Software — Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Connectivity & Networks (5G/LPWAN/TSN/Industrial Ethernet) (IMAIAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Serial/Fieldbus-to-Ethernet Device Connectivity (Device Servers/Protocol Gateways) (HDAFAJAF), Industrial/OT Private Connectivity (Factory, Mining, Ports) (HDAIAGAD)

Keywords

• Manufacturing execution systems
• Production line traceability
• Industrial IoT platform
• Discrete manufacturing software
• Smart MES software

Headquarters

HQ city

Xuhui

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Software Licensing (ACC System): iPlant-ACC MES system is licensed to manufacturing enterprises for deployment on factory floors. The company provides software that integrates with existing automation equipment (PLCs, CNCs, robots). Implementation is performed by iPlant's professional services team.
2. Professional Services (Implementation & On-site Support): The company provides full-service project implementation including system installation, commissioning, and go-live validation (as fast as 2 hours remote). Ongoing 7×24 technical support with response times of 2 hours (domestic) and 4 hours (international) for on-site emergency fault resolution, plus daily maintenance and tracking/monitoring services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

iPlant develops and sells industrial software for discrete manufacturers, centered on the ACC (Agile Cell Controller) smart MES platform — a quality-traceability-based system that performs production line data acquisition, operation control, real-time monitoring, and full-process product and material traceability. The platform is extended by an ecosystem of modules (WMS, EMS, SPC, APS, EWI, Andon, QMS, JIT, eKanban, Energy Management, etc.) and an open industrial IoT platform called Dandelion (蒲公英) for edge-to-cloud device connectivity. iPlant also delivers professional implementation, configuration, and 24×7 technical support services to global automotive and discrete manufacturing customers.

Product overview

iPlant (上海以朴信息科技有限公司) is an industrial software provider offering a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on the ACC (Agile Cell Controller) smart MES system. The core ACC platform provides quality traceability-based production management, while an extensive module ecosystem extends capabilities across warehouse management (WMS, TWMS, LWMS), quality control (SPC, QMS, QPMS, FLC), production operations (WOMS, MID, EMS, Energy, Andon), materials (eKanban, JIT, Shipping), compliance (OMS), and data intelligence (Reports, Real Time Analysis). Supporting the platform are the open Dandelion industrial IoT platform and PAA data interface standard. The company also provides a downloadable software tool, ACCLotChange for MC930B. The product portfolio serves automotive, aerospace, precision electronics, and mechanical processing industries with global deployments spanning Europe, North America, South America, and Asia-Pacific.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dandelion (蒲公英): An open industrial internet platform independently developed by Shanghai Yipu Information Technology. It combines information technology, communication technology, and automation technology into a new open industrial internet platform with cloud computing and edge computing capabilities, providing various types of lightweight applications.

Products and services

• ACC (Agile Cell Controller) Production Management System (Smart MES) The core platform product integrating production line control, real-time data acquisition, product quality control, and process management across factory operations. Designed for global automotive and discrete manufacturers requiring high-beat, multi-model production lines and full quality traceability.
• Dandelion (蒲公英) Open Industrial Internet Platform An open industrial IoT platform combining IT, communication technology, and automation technology with cloud and edge computing capabilities. Provides lightweight applications, one-click deployment, fast device access, real-time response, and closed-loop industrial-data analysis for IT-OT convergence.
• APS Advanced Scheduling System (APS* 高级排程) Advanced Planning and Scheduling system for intelligent production scheduling, capacity calculation, and inventory planning to maximize production efficiency.
• CMS Change Management System (CMS 变更管理系统) A module providing full lifecycle management of enterprise change processes across production and operations.
• PAA Data Interface Standard (PAA 数据接口标准) A proprietary interface standard connecting the automotive parts industry with PLCs, supporting Siemens, AB, Mitsubishi, Omron, Beckhoff, LG LS, WinCC, Shihlin, Goodco, and Xinjie. Serves as the integration backbone adopted by China's National Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing.
• ACC-PLC High-Speed Communication Protocol (proprietary middleware-free protocol) Proprietary ACC-PLC communication protocol that connects ACC directly to PLCs and robots without middleware dependency, surpassing OPC-based alternatives in latency and enabling ultra-high-beat production lines (e.g., 1-second ABS Cartridge Valve line).
• ACCLotChange for MC930B Scanner Devices (v1.22.2) A downloadable companion utility for MC930B scanner devices supporting lot-change operations on the production line.
• iPlant Professional Implementation & 24×7 Technical Support Services Full-service project implementation, system installation, commissioning, and on-site go-live validation, plus ongoing 7×24 phone hotline and on-site troubleshooting with defined SLAs.

Quantifiable outcome

• OEE increased by 10%, product defect rate decreased by 15%, statistical costs decreased by 80% in key component traceability deployments
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KUKAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKUKA visited iPlant in March 2016 and the two sides reached an agreement on future project cooperation. In November 2018, iPlant cooperated with KUKA to build an intelligent production line for Zhengzhou Yutong Bus new energy battery. KUKA robots are integrated with iPlant-ACC via the Dandelion platform for networked data collection from 200+ devices.
• Bosch Rexroth (博世力士乐)coreStrategic or Co-development PartneriPlant designed and developed the PMS (Production Management System) for Bosch Rexroth's Industry 4.0 project at the Nanjing Eston robot intelligent factory. The project was delivered and officially operated in January 2018, attended by Bosch Rexroth Asia Pacific leadership.
• ZF-TRW (采埃孚-天合)coreTechnology or IntegrationSince 2010, iPlant has been the MES software supplier to TRW. Since 2012, iPlant has been a major supplier of TRW's global traceability system, undertaking software implementation and maintenance for more than 100 production lines worldwide. iPlant-ACC replaced TRW's previous LST system in Germany, Malaysia, and Anting factories.
• Martinrea (马汀瑞亚集团)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal auto parts giant (ranked 58th globally, 14,000+ employees, Toronto Stock Exchange listed). In May 2017, iPlant was selected as the Asia Pacific Smart Factory partner. Project launched at Martinrea Yuyao plant for Cadillac and Jaguar Land Rover supply chain. iPlant was chosen for product maturity, industry experience, and team capabilities.
• Magna (麦格纳)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMagna has been a MES software customer since 2013. iPlant successfully implemented MES on old Magna Changzhou production lines with PLC integration capabilities, saving Magna from rebuilding lines. Also served at multiple global Magna factories.
• BorgWarnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2013, iPlant has been the MES software supplier for BorgWarner's global factories. Deployment at BorgWarner Ningbo emission valve line, enabling 40+ product models on a single line with one-touch changeover. Also deployed in BorgWarner emission plants globally.
• Lear (李尔)coreTechnology or IntegrationSince 2013, Lear has been a MES software customer of iPlant. Lear is one of the top 10 global auto parts companies.
• TRWcoreTechnology or IntegrationiPlant has been a TRW global traceability system major supplier since 2012, undertaking software implementation and maintenance for over 100 production lines worldwide, including factories in Poland and Brazil. EPS traceability system project at TRW Mexico Queretaro plant was the company's 20th automotive steering system project.
• Nanjing Eston Automation (南京埃斯顿自动化)coreStrategic or Co-development PartneriPlant delivered PMS (Production Management System) for Eston's industrial robot intelligent factory in January 2018. The factory realized robot production using robots across assembly, handling, and testing. Attended by government and industry leaders including Nanjing municipal officials and China Machinery Federation vice president.
• Hanwha Q CELLSminorStrategic or Co-development PartneriPlant implemented MES at Hanwha Qidong Solar Cell plant, meeting requirements of 5,000 pieces/hour throughput and laser traceability on micro-scale barcodes. A published case study is available.
• National Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing (国家智能制造研究院)coreTechnology or IntegrationiPlant's PAA (automotive-PLC interface standard) has been adopted and promoted by the National Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing, giving iPlant's standard industry-wide recognition and a competitive moat in the Chinese manufacturing sector.
• Zhengzhou Yutong Bus (郑州宇通客车)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn November 2018, iPlant cooperated with KUKA to build an intelligent production line for Zhengzhou Yutong Bus new energy battery.
• Pride-Power (北京普莱德新能源电池)minorStrategic or Co-development PartneriPlant implemented MES for Pride-Power's Beijing and Changzhou factories, integrating ERP, OA, WMS, and TMS. Achieved full lifecycle battery pack traceability. Published as a case study.
• Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-academia-research cooperation carried out with Shanghai Jiao Tong University starting February 2017.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SAP Manufacturing Execution (SAP ME / SAP Digital Manufacturing): SAP ME/Digital Manufacturing is the MES layer on top of SAP ERP and is a top-of-mind procurement choice at the same automotive Tier-1 customers iPlant serves, making it a primary alternative in RFPs.
• Siemens Digital Industries (Opcenter / Camstar): Siemens Opcenter (formerly Camstar) is the dominant enterprise MES suite tightly integrated with Simatic PLCs — the same integration space iPlant targets, and the global incumbent iPlant most directly competes against for plant-wide MES budgets.
• Aveva (Wonderware MES / Plant SCADA): Aveva's Wonderware plant-floor software competes for MES and operations management spend at large industrial customers and shares iPlant's focus on real-time production visibility and traceability.
• Rockwell Automation / PTC MES (Plex, FactoryTalk, MES): Rockwell (with PTC) bundles MES with Logix PLCs and PLM, addressing the same discrete-manufacturing traceability and OEE use cases that ACC targets — particularly relevant for greenfield smart-factory projects.
• Dassault Systèmes DELMIA: DELMIA is Dassault's manufacturing operations and engineering platform, competing for end-to-end production planning and execution budgets at large automotive and industrial OEMs.

Direct peers

• Critical Manufacturing: Portuguese MES vendor focused on high-mix discrete and process manufacturing; competes head-on with ACC for MES RFPs at Tier-1 automotive electronics, semiconductor, and medical-device customers.
• FORCAM: German MES/IIoT vendor focused on discrete manufacturing shop-floor execution; comparable in scale and customer base, particularly in DACH-region automotive Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers.

Emerging players

• Tulip Interfaces: Frontline operations / MES platform emphasizing low-code, app-based shop-floor execution; overlapping with iPlant's EWI, Andon, and operator interfaces, but with a different deployment model.

Regional players

• Black Lake Technologies (黑湖智造): China-based cloud MES vendor focused on SMB and mid-market discrete manufacturing; the most direct Chinese competitor to iPlant's ACC platform, though positioned more downstream than iPlant's Tier-1 customer base.
• Yonyou (用友) Industrial Internet / U9 MES: Major Chinese ERP vendor with MES and smart-manufacturing offerings that integrate natively with UFIDA U8/K3 — the same ERP systems iPlant ACC integrates with — making it a frequent incumbents-vs-challenger competitor in Chinese factories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iPlant