Munich-based machine vision specialist MVTec Software GmbH is set to launch MERLIC 26.10 on October 15, 2026. The no-code platform, which lets users build and deploy machine vision applications without writing a single line of code, gets a substantial upgrade this cycle — most notably around data protection, integration, and day-to-day usability.
Ulf Schulmeyer, MVTec’s Product Manager for MERLIC, notes that the software has grown well beyond application-building; it now doubles as a framework for deploying and running those applications in real production settings. This release, he says, is a direct answer to the rising demand for stronger cybersecurity in networked manufacturing environments.
A Rebuilt Communication Layer
The headline change is a completely reworked communication system. Connections between MERLIC modules are now encrypted by default, and any remote access has to be turned on manually — nothing is exposed automatically. Remote links run over WebSockets, letting several MERLIC services share a single network port through distinct endpoints, which cuts down on the number of open ports administrators need to manage. Locally, MERLIC switches to Unix-domain sockets, sidestepping network overhead entirely and relying on the operating system’s own file-permission controls for security.
This groundwork also sets MERLIC up for deeper integration with web-based platforms down the line.
Clearer Multi-Instance Connections
Factories juggling several MERLIC instances at once will notice a redesigned connection screen in both MERLIC Frontend and MERLIC RTE Setup. Operators can now pick not just a host but the exact instance they need, with saved hosts appearing automatically and visual cues flagging system status and required security level — reducing the risk of connecting to the wrong system.
Smarter Tool Grouping
Complex Tool Flows benefit from improved grouping: grouped tools can be opened in a dedicated tab for closer inspection and tweaking, and their parameters and outputs can now be exposed directly on the group interface. That means developers can wire grouped tools into Frontend Designer widgets without breaking the groups apart — less rework, more flexibility.
SBOM Support Lands in MERLIC
For the first time, MVTec ships Software Bills of Materials in the industry-standard SPDX format for most MERLIC components. These machine-readable documents detail component origin, dependencies, version numbers, and licensing, and can be cross-checked against CVE databases — a meaningful boost for teams running formal security and compliance reviews.
Everyday Usability Gains
Two practical workflows get simpler in this release. MVApps can now be dropped straight into recipe management and run as virtual recipes under MERLIC RTE, cutting out a manual recipe-creation step in cases where no extra sequencing is needed. And when inspecting a region of interest in MERLIC Creator or Frontend, key measurements — width, height, angle, position, or radius, depending on the ROI type — now appear instantly on screen.