DataRealm

What DataRealm does

DataRealm is a Windsor, Ontario-based industrial automation and control systems integrator founded in 2001 that delivers custom-engineered solutions connecting plant floor operations to enterprise systems for North American manufacturers. The company operates three primary service pillars — Controls Engineering (PLC/HMI programming, electrical design, SCADA applications, motion control), Automation Information Systems (real-time data acquisition, traceability, tool life monitoring, energy/building monitoring), and Custom Software (scheduling, inventory management, ERP connectivity, custom drivers, Excel automation) — built around an ecosystem of strategic technology partnerships including Ignition SCADA, Activplant, Lighthouse Systems MES, Phoenix Contact, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Schneider Electric. Solution offerings also include RFID systems, PLC/robot upgrades, productivity tracking, real-time scheduling applications, and maintenance request paging, with emerging capabilities in augmented reality-based worker training and AI partnerships since 2018.

The firm generates revenue through project-based professional services engagements rather than productized software, with each project scoped individually and delivered under turnkey contracts from design through deployment and ongoing support. Headquartered in Windsor's Walkerville neighbourhood with a Detroit branch (DataRealm Solutions) and Mexican incorporation, DataRealm serves enterprise manufacturers with a primary concentration in automotive powertrain (Ford, GM, FCA, Honda) and additional accounts in industrial automation (ABB, Thyssenkrupp), aerospace (Safran), pharmaceutical (Jamieson), beverage (Hiram Walker), and rail/switching (G&W). The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with direct engagement on custom projects, supported by CSIA certification and a founder-controlled operating model under President Dave Fortin that emphasizes low debt and long-term customer relationships.

Name

DataRealm

Legal name

DataRealm Inc.

Website

https://datarealminc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DataRealm is a Windsor, Ontario-based control systems integrator founded in 2001 that delivers custom PLC/SCADA, data acquisition, and software solutions to North American manufacturers, with a primary focus on automotive OEMs and a tri-country footprint across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Systems Integration

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Computer Systems Design Services (541512)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

Data Strategy & Governance Services (BPAEAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Data Observability & Monitoring (HDAEADAI)

Keywords

• Industrial automation services
• Controls engineering
• Manufacturing data acquisition
• SCADA systems
• Custom manufacturing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Windsor

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Systems Integration Services: Custom engineering projects encompassing controls engineering, automation information systems, and software development. Projects range from new plant installations to retrofits and manufacturing problem-solving. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements with full lifecycle support from design through deployment and ongoing maintenance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DataRealm is a control systems integrator that delivers custom engineering and software solutions for manufacturers. Its three primary service pillars are Controls Engineering (PLC/HMI programming, electrical design, SCADA, motion control, installation and commissioning), Automation Information Systems (data acquisition and plant-floor control systems connecting plant floor to enterprise systems, including traceability, tool life monitoring, and energy/building monitoring), and Custom Software Development (scheduling, inventory management, ERP connectivity, productivity tracking, document management). Offerings are delivered as project-based, turnkey productivity solutions for enterprise manufacturers.

Product overview

DataRealm is a control systems integrator offering engineering and software solutions for manufacturers. The company provides three primary service pillars: Controls Engineering (PLC/HMI programming, electrical design, SCADA, motion control), Automation Information Systems (machine performance monitoring, traceability, tool life monitoring, energy monitoring), and Custom Software development (scheduling, inventory management, ERP connectivity). The portfolio also includes project-based solutions such as MES systems, RFID implementations, PLC/robot upgrades, productivity tracking, real-time scheduling applications, and maintenance request systems. These offerings are delivered as custom solutions tailored to each client's manufacturing and business processes rather than as standardized software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Controls Engineering Engineering services for new plant setups, retrofits, and manufacturing problem resolution, specializing in PLC/HMI programming, electrical design, SCADA applications, motion control, and installation, commissioning, and support for manufacturers.
• Automation Information Systems Data acquisition and plant-floor control systems that connect plant floor operations to enterprise systems, including machine performance monitoring, traceability, tool life monitoring, and energy/building monitoring solutions.
• Custom Software Custom software solutions and applications to improve, streamline, and automate business and manufacturing processes, including scheduling, inventory management, ERP connectivity, custom traceability, productivity, monitoring, document management, custom drivers, and Excel automation.
• MES System Manufacturing Execution System for tracking production from start to finish using hand-held scanners and relevant technologies to overcome manufacturing challenges and improve services.
• RFID System Solutions RFID system design, development, and deployment for replacement of obsolete systems and integration with production lines, including phased replacement without shutting down production lines.
• PLC/Robot Upgrade Services
• Productivity Tracking System
• Real Time Scheduling and Production Tracking Application
• Milling Request and Scheduling System
• Maintenance Request Paging System

Quantifiable outcome

• Production capacity increased through control system upgrades
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ActivplantcoreTechnology or IntegrationLong-standing technology partnership for data acquisition and manufacturing intelligence solutions. DataRealm has piloted Activplant applications since 2004.
• IgnitioncoreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic software partner for SCADA, HMI, and manufacturing applications. Used for milling request systems, scheduling applications, and productivity tracking.
• Phoenix ContactcoreTechnology or IntegrationSolution Provider status with extensive experience in PCWorx, WEBvisit, Visuplus, AXOPC Server, and Phoenix Contact hardware. Collaborated on automotive control system upgrades using Automotive RBU products.
• Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationMajor automation technology partner for PLCs, controls, and industrial automation solutions.
• Schneider ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomation technology partner for power and control solutions.
• SiemenscoreTechnology or IntegrationAutomation technology partner for industrial controls and manufacturing systems.
• SNP Technical Services Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional integration partner for collaborative project delivery.
• Tandem Engineering GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRegional engineering partner for collaborative delivery.
• Automate CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational industrial automation association. DataRealm's founder Dave Fortin serves as Board Chair. Association represents Canada's industrial automation sector contributing estimated $7 billion to the Canadian economy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Industrial Automation: Global automation and robotics supplier with extensive controls and integration capabilities. Overlap with DataRealm in automotive manufacturing and energy/building monitoring, and a known DataRealm customer.
• Rockwell Automation: Global industrial automation OEM and largest automation platform vendor. Significant overlap with DataRealm as both a partner and a competitor (its SolutionPartner network fields in-house SI teams), with comparable exposure to automotive and discrete manufacturing.
• ATS Corporation (ATS Automation): Major Canadian-headquartered automation solutions provider serving automotive, life sciences, and industrial customers globally. Comparable vertical (automotive) and capability set (custom automation, controls, MES) but operates at meaningfully larger scale than DataRealm.
• Siemens Digital Industries: Global automation hardware, software (TIA, WinCC), and digital industries vendor with in-house integration services. Comparable industry and technology footprint; competes for large-scale controls and digital factory projects where DataRealm also bids.

Direct peers

• Avanceon: Global control systems integrator offering industrial automation, MES, and engineering services across manufacturing verticals. Comparable operating model (vendor-agnostic SI spanning Rockwell, Siemens, etc.) and customer base in automotive and discrete manufacturing.
• RoviSys Company: Mid-sized independent control systems integrator delivering PLC, SCADA, MES, and custom software to discrete and process manufacturers. Closely comparable in service mix (controls + automation info systems + custom software), vertical focus (industrial/automotive), and project-based delivery model.
• Bastian Solutions: Systems integrator specializing in material handling, robotics, and controls integration for manufacturing and distribution. Overlap with DataRealm in custom automation, controls engineering, and integration services for industrial clients.
• Applied Control Engineering: Independent CSIA-certified control systems integrator delivering process automation, MES, and SCADA solutions to discrete and process manufacturers. Directly comparable mid-market SI in capabilities and customer profile.
• CEC (Control Engineering, Inc.): Independent control systems integrator providing automation, controls, MES, and engineering services to industrial clients. Direct competitor in the mid-market CSIA-certified SI segment serving automotive and discrete manufacturers.

Regional players

• Eclipse Automation: Canadian-based custom automation integrator focused on automotive and medical device manufacturing. Comparable to DataRealm in control systems integration, custom machinery, and software development with automotive OEM exposure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/datarealminc
• Facebookfacebook.com/DataRealmInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/datarealm
• Instagraminstagram.com/datarealmincorporated

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

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 DataRealm