What is the "TinyPilot"? ....in a nutshell!
The "TinyPilot" is an IP-based KVM switch. Keyboard, video, and mouse input are transmitted from the server to your browser and back via an IP connection (VPN, cloud, LAN, or directly over the Internet). Based on a Raspberry Pi, the "TinyPilot" allows you to access the server via a browser.
As long as the device has an HDMI, VGA, or DVI output and a USB port, this hardware allows you to conveniently access the device remotely via a browser. This makes it easy to control servers or machines from home, for example. In its latest version, simple power supply via PoE (Power over Ethernet) is also possible.
Ideally, the “TinyPilot” is placed on its own network and then connected to the end device via the ports mentioned above—and you’re ready to go. Since the “TinyPilot” is controlled from the browser, it requires no additional software and can therefore be deployed quickly.
You can find more information here: Details on installing the TinyPilot
What does punkt.de GmbH have to do with the "TinyPilot"?
Due to COVID-19, we had to adjust some processes in our client projects. In one of our largest client projects, it was necessary to regularly access local machines for deployments and work on them remotely, without the option of installing additional software on those machines. So, essentially, we needed a very long USB cable and a very long HDMI cable to gain physical access.
Since many of our developers had to work from home during the pandemic (and are now allowed to!), we set out to find a suitable KVM solution and discovered that many of the solutions on the market came with high purchase and licensing costs, or required installing software on the local computers that took some getting used to.
But one solution stood out as being a bit different… the “TinyPilot.” Its low cost, ease of use, and the fact that the “TinyPilot” doesn’t rely on a traditional licensing model quickly won us over.
At the time, the “TinyPilot” was only available in the U.S., so we had to order it from there… a tedious process, since German customs took nearly 30 days to clear the “TinyPilot” for delivery.
The “TinyPilot” immediately won us over for our own project, so we decided to become a distribution partner for the “TinyPilot” in the EU and add it to our portfolio.
For you, this now means German-language support, and we’re happy to make our entire expertise in networking available to “TinyPilot” customers.
What began as a test project turned into a success story, as many companies recognized the advantages of the “TinyPilot” over previous KVM solutions. Even after the COVID-19 crisis, more and more customers are ordering the “TinyPilot” from us.
You can find our store here: TinyPilot Store
"TinyPilot" in Industry — "Automatisierungstreff IT & Automation 2023" in Heilbronn!
There are many applications for the “TinyPilot” across a wide range of economic sectors. However, as we began selling the “TinyPilot,” it quickly became clear that demand is particularly high in the industrial sector—specifically among automation companies and their customers.
To get even closer to our potential customers, we decided to participate in the IT & Automation 2023 trade show in Heilbronn. Since our background is in web development and hosting, it was important for us to put out feelers and get to know this industry firsthand.
In addition to having some fruitful discussions with German SMEs, we also had the opportunity to exchange ideas with other exhibitors about how our solution could integrate with theirs and create real added value for operations, maintenance, and collaborative work in the industry.
Since “TinyPilot” is a hardware solution, it can monitor the boot process of a server or machine and intervene remotely if necessary should a problem arise. Installing software is also easy and can be monitored after installation.
This opens up new possibilities for working from home and collaborating with colleagues around the globe.
In this scenario, the "TinyPilot" can virtualize an application—such as a machine control system—and be used to discuss a solution with colleagues during an online meeting. The current problem could be shared with colleagues via "screen sharing."
The “TinyPilot” thus serves as an extended “HDMI” (and USB) cable to the home office. In addition to the video feed, audio signals are also transmitted, which can further facilitate troubleshooting.
The TinyPilot has a wide range of applications, and at this event in Heilbronn, we gained many insights into how the “TinyPilot” can be used.
If we’ve piqued your interest in the “TinyPilot,” please feel free to contact us at tinypilotsupport@punkt.de or call us at +49 (0)721 91090.
You can also find more information about the “TinyPilot” at: https://www.kvm-ip.de/
