i-mation
i-mation GmbH, founded in 2001 and based in Rottweil, Germany, is a manufacturer-neutral industrial machine vision system integrator that combines Cognex, SICK, Keyence, and MVTec technologies with proprietary tools (i-ViTool, VisionMachineBOX, GampBOX) to serve automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, and robotics manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersRottweil, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What i-mation does
i-mation GmbH is a privately-held German industrial machine vision system integrator headquartered in Rottweil, Baden-Württemberg, founded in 2001 by Rainer Prinzing and co-led with managing director Thomas Hahn. The company develops and implements customized industrial image processing solutions that combine third-party hardware and software platforms (Cognex, SICK, Keyence, MVTec, Basler, Siemens) with proprietary in-house tools, delivered under a manufacturer-neutral consulting model.
The proprietary product portfolio centers on three pillars: VisionMachineBOX (VMB), a PC-based vision platform deployable standalone or as a deep learning supplement to existing third-party cameras; i-ViTool, a software layer that brings Cognex ViDi Suite deep learning runtime files into VisionPro and Designer environments; and GampBOX, an audited solution for pharmaceutical/medical packaging lines requiring FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU GMP Annex 11 compliance. Supporting products include i-check DB for VisionPro project automation, 3D machine vision cameras for robot guidance, and branded ID-Reader configurations. The technology is bundled into three practice areas: Deep Learning, 3D Machine Vision, and Smart Factory Machine Vision.
i-mation makes money through three streams: enterprise system integration projects (consulting, development, commissioning, training, and support billed against custom solutions), perpetual licensing of proprietary software tools such as i-ViTool and i-check DB, and hardware sales of configured VMB platforms. Customers are concentrated in automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, solar, electrical, printing, and robotics verticals, with named enterprise references including an international ophthalmic technology manufacturer and KOCH Pac-Systeme GmbH. Distribution is direct, enterprise field sales with project-based engagement. The company holds DIN EN ISO 9001 quality certification and AIA Certified System Integrator status.
i-mation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- i-mation
- Legal name
- i-mation GmbH
- Website
- https://i-mation.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- i-mation GmbH, founded in 2001 and based in Rottweil, Germany, is a manufacturer-neutral industrial machine vision system integrator that combines Cognex, SICK, Keyence, and MVTec technologies with proprietary tools (i-ViTool, VisionMachineBOX, GampBOX) to serve automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, and robotics manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
i-mation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Machine Vision Systems
- NAICS
- Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables (334513), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection (HDAAAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules) (IMAGAJAK), Industrial I/O, Signal Conditioning & Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) (IMAGABAD), Edge AI Hardware & NPUs (SoCs, modules, accelerators) (HDAAAJAC)
Keywords
Where i-mation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rottweil
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
i-mation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Industrial Vision Systems Integration: Customized machine vision solutions including consulting, development, implementation, and commissioning. Revenue generated from system integration projects for industrial quality inspection and automation applications.
- Proprietary Software Tools: Sale and licensing of proprietary software tools including i-ViTool and i-check DB. Perpetual licenses with included updates and optional remote development support.
- Vision Hardware Platforms: Sale of VisionMachineBox (VMB) hardware platforms configured for specific image processing requirements, including standalone systems and performance enhancement solutions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | i-ViTool Production Kit - perpetual license for production environments |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | VisionMachineBox configurations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
i-mation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
i-mation develops and implements customized industrial machine vision / image processing solutions as a manufacturer-neutral system integrator. It combines leading vendors' hardware (Cognex, SICK, Keyence, MVTec, Basler) with proprietary software tools (GampBOX, i-ViTool, VisionMachineBOX, i-check DB) across Deep Learning, 3D, and Smart Factory vision applications. The company delivers end-to-end services including consulting, development, implementation, commissioning, training, and support to industrial customers in automotive, solar, pharmaceutical, packaging, electrical, printing, and robotics industries.
Product overview
i-mation develops and implements customized industrial machine vision solutions as a system integrator. The product portfolio centers on three core proprietary products: VisionMachineBOX (VMB) as a PC-based vision platform, GampBOX for pharmaceutical/medical GMP compliance, and i-ViTool for Cognex VisionPro/Designer integration with Deep Learning. Supporting offerings include i-check DB for VisionPro automation, proprietary Vision Systems with image processing tool libraries, 3D Machine Vision systems for autonomous robot applications, and ID-Readers. All solutions combine leading manufacturers' technologies (Cognex, SICK, Keyence, MVTec, Basler) with i-mation's own developed tools, providing manufacturer-independent consulting and implementation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- GampBOX: Industry solution for medical and pharmaceutical applications, meeting GAMP guidelines and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic data records and electronic signatures.
- i-ViTool
- VisionMachineBox (VMB)
Products and services
- GampBOX Industry solution for medical and pharmaceutical applications that ensures compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU GMP Annex 11 requirements for electronic data records and electronic signatures. Provides complete qualification documentation, audit trail, recipe management with versioning, and user administration.
- i-ViTool Software tool developed by i-mation for integration of Cognex ViDi Suite Deep Learning runtime files into Cognex VisionPro and Cognex Designer environments. Enables use of ViDi tools (RED ANALYZE, BLUE LOCATE, BLUE READ, GREEN CLASSIFY) without programming or scripting. Includes production kit with license key and 2 months remote development support.
- VisionMachineBOX (VMB) PC-based vision platform for highest image processing requirements. Serves as standalone PC vision system for industrial cameras or as supplement to existing systems for deep learning performance enhancement. Compatible with Keyence, Cognex, SICK, and Siemens. Supports OPC UA for evaluation, control and result communication.
- i-check DB Standard software solution for automation of Cognex VisionPro projects in industrial environments. Supplements VisionPro with important automation elements enabling fast commissioning and simple operation of complex projects. Additional cameras can be added without license fees.
- 3D Machine Vision Systems High-speed 3D cameras for harsh industrial environments. Captures object shape (3D) and properties like brightness and scattered light (MultiScan). Provides object height, shape and volume information. Used for bin picking and robot guidance with X, Y, Z coordinates and spatial angles RX, RY, RZ determination.
- ID-Readers High-performance ID readers from Cognex, SICK, and Keyence for reading 1D barcodes and 2D Datamatrix codes. Reads regardless of marking process (etching, dot peen, laser, inkjet) or surface type. Achieves read rates greater than 99.5%. Combined with customized lighting and optics for specific applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reading rates of 300-500 parts per minute achievable for character/text recognition
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use i-mation
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
i-mation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
AI capability6 records
Feature5 records
i-mation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CognexcoreLeading manufacturer of machine vision systems and ID readers. i-mation uses Cognex VisionPro and Designer environments, integrates ViDi Suite for deep learning applications, and develops proprietary i-ViTool for Cognex integration. Key technology partner for vision systems and ID readers.
- SICKcoreLeading sensor manufacturer providing vision and identification technologies. i-mation combines SICK technologies with own solutions for customer-specific requirements. Used for ID readers and sensor-based inspection systems.
- KeyencecoreLeading industrial automation company providing vision systems and sensors. i-mation combines Keyence technologies with own tools for customized solutions. Compatible with VisionMachineBox platforms.
- MVTeccoreManufacturer of standard software for industrial image processing (HALCON). i-mation integrates MVTec technologies as part of manufacturer-neutral approach for best customer solutions.
- KOCH Pac-Systeme GmbHminorPackaging system manufacturer. Collaborative project relationship where i-mation integrated deep learning inspection systems for carton content verification at customer's secondary packaging lines.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
i-mation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Keyence Corporation: Global factory-automation and vision-system supplier whose smart cameras and ID readers i-mation resells and integrates; broad incumbent with overlapping inspection, measurement and identification product lines.
- SICK AG: Global sensor and vision manufacturer whose ID readers and 2D/3D cameras i-mation integrates into solutions; a broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities and recently acquired integrator Stemmer Imaging, creating both partnership and competitive overlap.
- Cognex Corporation: World leader in machine vision systems and ID readers — the central technology platform on which i-ViTool and i-check DB are built — competing with i-mation in industrial inspection while simultaneously serving as its core technology partner.
- Matrox Imaging: Long-established supplier of industrial vision software, frame grabbers and smart cameras used in factory QA; comparable offering breadth in machine vision hardware/software for industrial integrators and end customers.
- Basler AG: German industrial camera manufacturer supplying image-capture components to vision integrators like i-mation; broader incumbent in the vision value chain with overlapping end customers in factory automation.
- ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco Vision): Large industrial machine vision supplier (now Atlas Copco Vision) covering surface inspection, robot guidance and quality control; competes with i-mation's automotive and electronics inspection offerings at the larger end of the market.
Direct peers
- Adaptive Vision: Polish provider of machine vision software and integration services for industrial quality inspection and 3D measurement; closely comparable as an European vision software/integrator focused on factory automation.
- Stemmer Imaging (SICK): European machine vision system integrator offering manufacturer-neutral consulting, training and integration services across industrial vision — the same go-to-market model that i-mation operates, and arguably its closest direct comparable in German-speaking markets.
- MVTec Software: Germany-based developer of HALCON and MERLIC machine vision software, used by integrators like i-mation; overlap in industrial vision software and shared customer base in factory automation make it the most relevant software peer.
- Tordivel / Scorpion Vision: Nordic-based supplier of Scorpion Vision software and machine vision integration services for industrial inspection and robotics; comparable niche system-integrator position targeting factory automation customers.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
i-mation social profiles
Digital presencei-mation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
i-mation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
i-mation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
i-mation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about i-mation
What does i-mation do?
i-mation develops and implements customized industrial machine vision / image processing solutions as a manufacturer-neutral system integrator. It combines leading vendors' hardware (Cognex, SICK, Keyence, MVTec, Basler) with proprietary software tools (GampBOX, i-ViTool, VisionMachineBOX, i-check DB) across Deep Learning, 3D, and Smart Factory vision applications. The company delivers end-to-end services including consulting, development, implementation, commissioning, training, and support to industrial customers in automotive, solar, pharmaceutical, packaging, electrical, printing, and robotics industries.
Is i-mation a public or private company?
i-mation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was i-mation founded?
i-mation was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is i-mation based?
i-mation is headquartered in Rottweil, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does i-mation make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Industrial Vision Systems Integration is the primary driver. The others are proprietary Software Tools and vision Hardware Platforms.
Who are i-mation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Keyence Corporation, SICK AG, Cognex Corporation, Matrox Imaging, Basler AG and ISRA VISION (Atlas Copco Vision). Direct peers are Adaptive Vision, Stemmer Imaging (SICK), MVTec Software and Tordivel / Scorpion Vision.
Does i-mation have an API?
No public API is recorded for i-mation.
What industry is i-mation in?
i-mation's product category is Industrial Machine Vision Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAEAG, Industrial Vision & Quality Inspection, with a secondary code of IMAGAJAK, Embedded & Compute Modules (SoMs, COM Express/SMARC, industrial SBC modules). Its NAICS code is 334513 and its SIC code is 3823.