Vendor Spotlight: ISL Online

XLAB d.o.o. is known for its innovative products such as ISL Online (remote desktop software), Steampunk Spotter (Ansible Playbook Scanning Tool), Gaea+ (a customizable 3D visualization solution), TeleTransfusion (an online interpreter for pre-transfusion tests), and XLAB Medic (3D dental and radiology imaging solutions). XLAB is also heavily involved in research, running one of the largest private computer science research departments in Slovenia.

The business’s core values emphasize open source, teamwork, and the open exchange of ideas. They pride themselves on creating a supportive and stimulating environment for employees, fostering innovation and excellence.

Founding and Background

XLAB d.o.o. is a global IT solutions company based in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Founded in 2001, XLAB specializes in remote desktop technology, automation, and management of hybrid infrastructure, and artificial intelligence.

Back in 2001, Jure Pompe and Damjan Pipan graduated from the University of Ljubljana and, instead of treading the traditional path of job seeking, decided to set up their own business. They were quickly joined by Gregor Pipan, the brother of Damjan, who had graduated the year before from the University of Ljubljana and had since worked as a Linux developer.

The Pipan brothers both had a background in programming and technology, while Pompe’s degree in Economics steered him towards business management. Pompe took the role of Managing Director of XLAB and later took charge of the ISL Online division. Damjan Pipan evolved his activities into the CTO role at XLAB and also fulfilled the same role with ISL Online. Gregor Pipan started off working on the development of ISL Online but gravitated more to business management. He became the CEO of the company and simultaneously operated as a business consultant for a series of startups.

The company’s first notable product was ISL Online, launched in 2003. This product is a remote desktop and support software platform that provides users with the ability to connect to and control remote computers from any location over the internet. ISL Online was among the pioneers in the remote desktop software industry, and its robust features—including remote desktop sharing, live chat, and web conferencing—quickly garnered international recognition.

ISL Online helped propel XLAB into the global software market, as it was an early innovator in the space and met a growing demand for remote access tools. This product played a major role in establishing XLAB as a leader in the field of remote desktop solutions, with ISL Online remaining one of their flagship offerings even today.

XLAB Research

XLAB Research is the dedicated research and development division of XLAB d.o.o., playing a pivotal role in the company’s innovation-driven strategy. Since its inception, XLAB has maintained a strong emphasis on leveraging cutting-edge research to develop advanced software solutions. XLAB Research serves as the backbone of the company’s exploration into emerging technologies, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, IoT (Internet of Things), and medical imaging.

Key Focus Areas of XLAB Research

The pursuit of technology research has led the XLAB business into a widely diversified product range – not every research project developed into a commercial product. Many projects were grant-based efforts that contributed to wider investigations, sponsored by the EU and the government of Slovenia.

The subject areas that the lab has worked on include the following.

Cloud Computing and Distributed Systems 

XLAB Research has been involved in several EU Horizon 2020 and other European research projects, focusing on cloud orchestration, multi-cloud environments, and distributed computing. The division works on building scalable and resilient cloud infrastructures, emphasizing security, automation, and efficiency. Projects in this domain have contributed to the development of innovative cloud solutions like XLAB’s cloud management platform.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

AI and machine learning are core to XLAB’s research efforts. The team develops AI-driven systems for predictive analytics, decision support, and intelligent automation. They also work on deep learning algorithms applied to natural language processing, image recognition, and data mining. The company integrates AI across its product portfolio, optimizing performance, automation, and user experience.

Cybersecurity

Security in digital environments is a top priority for XLAB Research. The team focuses on enhancing security for cloud systems, networks, and applications. Key research topics include data encryption, intrusion detection systems, and secure multi-party computation. Their research outcomes are applied to XLAB’s products to ensure robust protection against modern cybersecurity threats.

Internet of Things (IoT)

XLAB Research is also actively involved in exploring IoT ecosystems. Their work focuses on the interoperability of connected devices, IoT security, and edge computing. XLAB contributes to several international research projects aimed at developing secure, scalable, and energy-efficient IoT infrastructures.

Medical Imaging and Healthcare Solutions

One of XLAB’s notable research contributions has been in the area of medical imaging and healthcare IT. The team focuses on developing advanced imaging solutions, including 3D visualization and image processing software for medical diagnostics. Their work contributes to healthcare innovations by applying AI for improved diagnostic accuracy and integrating medical data in complex systems.

Participation in European Research Projects

XLAB Research actively participates in numerous European-funded projects, such as those under Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, and FP7). The commercial research lab collaborates with academic institutions, industry leaders, and research organizations across Europe. These projects are vital for the continuous development of new technologies and methodologies, as well as knowledge sharing in the broader tech ecosystem.

Some noteworthy European projects XLAB has been involved in include:

• MOSAIC: Focused on multi-cloud service orchestration.
• CROSSMINER: Aimed at monitoring and analyzing open-source software projects.
• Big Medilytics: A healthcare-focused project, exploring big data applications in medical diagnostics.
• PHYSICS: A project aimed at creating new techniques for cloud-native application deployment and optimization.

Achievements and Recognition

XLAB’s research division has earned recognition for its contributions to open-source software development, contributing to the evolution of Docker, Kubernetes, and other Web application infrastructure platforms. Their involvement in European research projects has enabled them to not only contribute to foundational scientific work but also apply it in their products and solutions, influencing sectors like healthcare, fintech, manufacturing, and smart cities.

Collaboration with Academia and Industry

XLAB Research maintains close ties with academia and industry partners to foster innovation. These collaborations allow them to stay at the forefront of technological advances, combining theoretical research with practical, real-world applications.

The Significance of XLAB Research

XLAB Research is a key player in the company’s efforts to drive innovation in various domains. Its work in cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare demonstrates the company’s commitment to research and development, as well as its contributions to both industry and scientific communities.

Timeline and Evolution

The following timeline details the progression of XLAB:

• 2001: XLAB d.o.o. was founded in Ljubljana, Slovenia by Jure Pompe, Damjan Pipan, and Gregor Pipan.
• 2003: Launch of ISL Online, a remote desktop and online support solution with secure remote computer connections.
• 2004: Expansion into international markets, driven by the early success of ISL Online.
• 2008: Establishment of XLAB Research.
• 2010: Increased focus on cloud computing. This led to the development of cloud-native solutions and improvements in the scalability and security of cloud infrastructures.
• 2013: ISL Online has now expanded to over 100 countries, with added features such as live chat and online meetings.
• 2015: XLAB began contributing to major open-source software projects, such as Kubernetes and Docker.
• 2016: XLAB launched Steampunk Spotter, an advanced cloud-based AI tool designed for anomaly detection in large data sets.
• 2017: XLAB Research became actively involved in Horizon 2020 projects. The company contributed to several large-scale projects, particularly in the fields of cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing.
• 2018: XLAB launches Gaea+, a specialized platform focused on environmental monitoring and geospatial data analysis that was developed as part of XLAB’s growing expertise in the IoT and smart cities sectors.
• 2019: XLAB developed and launched TeleTransfusion, a groundbreaking platform designed for safe blood transfusion management.
• 2020: XLAB ramped up its research in secure cloud architectures and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, and increased its investments in healthcare system security.
• 2021: XLAB celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of sustained growth and innovation.
• 2022: XLAB introduced XLAB Medic, a specialized suite of AI-powered healthcare tools designed to improve medical diagnostics and streamline healthcare workflows.
• 2023: ISL Online evolved with features focused on enhanced security, and AI-powered automation, responding to the growth in remote working.

Today, XLAB continues to develop ISL Online, while exploring the possibilities of new products, suggested by the experience gained through XLAB Research projects.

Company Ownership and Locations

XLAB d.o.o. has grown significantly through a combination of self-funding, revenue generation from its products (like ISL Online), and participation in European Union (EU) funded research projects. Thus, the company’s three founders have never needed to seek investments or launch a share offering. The business is still private.

The most significant people involved in the business are its three founders, Jure Pompe, Damjan Pipan, and Gregor Pipan. These three are still involved in running the business and are the majority owners of XLAB.

XLAB centralizes all of its activities in one office in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Unusually for an IT business, the company doesn’t promote remote work.

Target Market and Customer Base

XLAB d.o.o. has a diverse target market and customer base, which reflects its broad product portfolio and expertise in cloud computing, remote desktop solutions, AI, cybersecurity, and healthcare IT. Here’s a breakdown of its target market and customer base:

1. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

SMEs form a core part of XLAB’s target market, especially for its remote desktop and online collaboration tools like ISL Online.

• ISL Online offers remote support, live chat, and online meeting tools, which are highly valuable for businesses with limited IT resources or remote workforces.

2. Large Enterprises and Corporations

Large enterprises in sectors such as finance, retail, manufacturing, and technology require advanced cloud solutions, cybersecurity, and AI capabilities to manage complex IT systems.

• ISL Online for enterprise-level remote desktop management.
• Steampunk Spotter for cloud infrastructure monitoring and anomaly detection to ensure uptime and performance across distributed cloud systems.

3. IT Service Providers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

IT support companies, MSPs, and system integrators use XLAB’s tools to deliver remote IT services to their clients.

• ISL Online is a critical tool for MSPs offering remote support to their customers, allowing secure access to client systems for troubleshooting and maintenance.
• TeleTransfusion and other custom cloud tools may also be used to provide healthcare or logistics IT solutions.

4. Public Sector and Government Organizations

Government agencies and public institutions in healthcare, education, infrastructure, and smart cities leverage XLAB’s products for their IT needs.

• Gaea+ helps government organizations with environmental monitoring, geospatial data analysis, and smart city planning.
• TeleTransfusion and XLAB Medic are geared toward public healthcare systems, offering tools to manage blood transfusions, medical diagnostics, and patient data.

5. Healthcare Providers and Hospitals

Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers are looking to modernize their systems through digital tools, AI-powered diagnostics, and efficient resource management.

• TeleTransfusion helps hospitals manage blood transfusion processes more safely and transparently.
• XLAB Medic offers AI-based medical imaging solutions and diagnostic tools, helping doctors and medical staff analyze medical images and improve clinical decision-making.

6. Academic Institutions and Research Organizations

Universities, research institutes, and organizations that need advanced computing solutions, AI tools, and cloud infrastructure to conduct research.

• XLAB Research collaborates with academic institutions to develop AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity tools as part of EU-funded projects like Horizon 2020.
• ISL Online is used for educational purposes, allowing researchers and students to collaborate remotely.
• Steampunk Spotter supports research infrastructure monitoring.

7. Environmental and Smart City Solutions

Smart city planners, urban development organizations, and environmental monitoring agencies looking to make data-driven decisions for sustainability and resilience.

• Gaea+ is a platform designed for environmental monitoring and geospatial data analysis, which helps cities monitor air quality, manage natural resources, and plan for climate change mitigation.
• XLAB Research contributes to IoT and cloud-based data analysis and also enables smart infrastructure and urban management.

8. Technology and DevOps Communities

Software developers, DevOps engineers, and technology companies involved in building, deploying, and managing software solutions.

• XLAB Research’s contributions to open-source projects like Kubernetes and Docker cater to the DevOps and cloud-native application development community.

Product Suite

XLAB d.o.o. offers a wide range of innovative software products designed to address the needs of various industries, including remote desktop solutions, cloud computing, AI-powered tools, healthcare IT, and environmental monitoring. Here’s an overview of XLAB’s key product suite:

1. ISL Online

ISL Online offers a remote desktop and online collaboration solution. It allows IT professionals and support teams to securely access and control remote computers, provide tech support, and host virtual meetings.

Components

• Remote Desktop Access: Secure access to computers and servers from anywhere, ideal for IT support, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Live Chat: Integrated live chat function for customer support teams to communicate with users in real time.
• Online Meetings: Easy-to-use online meeting platform with screen sharing and video conferencing capabilities.

This online-mediated package works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it highly versatile for users across different platforms.

2. Steampunk Spotter

Steampunk Spotter is a powerful AI-driven tool designed for anomaly detection in large datasets and cloud infrastructures. It helps businesses monitor their IT environments in real time to identify unusual activity and prevent system failures.

Components

• Anomaly detection: Advanced machine learning algorithms analyze large volumes of data to detect irregularities in real time.
• Cloud environment monitoring: Optimized for multi-cloud environments, enabling businesses to monitor infrastructure across different cloud platforms.
• Proactive alerts: Alerts and notifications for potential issues or performance degradation, allowing for quick responses to maintain system uptime.

3. Gaea+

Gaea+ is a platform dedicated to environmental monitoring and geospatial data analysis. It is used to track environmental metrics, visualize data, and support decision-making in sectors like smart cities, urban planning, and environmental protection.

Components

• Geospatial data analysis: Tools for visualizing and analyzing geographic and environmental data in real-time.
• Environmental monitoring: Collects and processes data on air quality, climate, and other environmental factors.
• Decision support: Helps public and private organizations make data-driven decisions to protect the environment and plan for sustainable urban development.

The package will integrate with IoT devices for real-time data collection from sensors in the field.

4. TeleTransfusion

TeleTransfusion is a groundbreaking platform for blood transfusion management, designed to streamline and enhance the safety and efficiency of the blood supply chain and transfusion processes in hospitals.

Components

• Real-time monitoring: Provides hospitals with real-time data on blood supply levels and transfusion processes, ensuring timely and safe transfusions.
• Supply chain management: Tracks blood inventory from collection to transfusion, preventing shortages and wastage.
• Safety protocols: Ensures that the transfusion process adheres to strict safety standards and minimizes the risk of errors.

5. XLAB Medic

XLAB Medic is a suite of AI-powered healthcare tools designed to support medical diagnostics, imaging analysis, and patient data management. It enhances healthcare workflows by providing precise and timely diagnostic tools.

Components

• AI-driven medical imaging: Uses AI to analyze medical images (CT scans, MRIs, X-rays) to assist doctors in diagnosing diseases more accurately.
• 3D visualization: Advanced imaging software allows doctors to view complex medical images in 3D, aiding in the diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Diagnostic support: Provides recommendations and insights to healthcare professionals based on data analysis, improving decision-making in clinical settings.
• Cloud-based data management: Enables secure storage, sharing, and management of patient medical records and diagnostic data.

6. Remote Desktop Software Suite

In addition to ISL Online, XLAB offers specialized remote desktop software that caters to different user needs:

• ISL Light: A tool for unattended remote access and remote desktop support, designed for IT technicians to provide support even when the user is not present.
• ISL AlwaysOn: Enables continuous, unattended access to remote machines, allowing IT teams to perform maintenance tasks on remote systems without needing user assistance.
• ISL Pronto: A live chat tool that integrates seamlessly with websites, enabling organizations to offer instant customer support.

ISL Online is XLAB d.o.o.’s flagship product, designed to offer secure, cross-platform remote desktop access and online collaboration tools. It is widely used by IT service providers, helpdesks, and organizations of all sizes to provide remote technical support, conduct online meetings, and manage remote desktops.

Key Features:  

• Remote desktop access: Secure, fast access to any computer or device from any location with remote control functions.
• Unattended access: Access to remote computers without user intervention.
• Cross-platform support: Can access computers running Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.
• Online meetings and screen sharing: Host secure online meetings with features like screen sharing, video conferencing, and file transfer.
• Live chat integration: Real-time communication, enabling technicians to assist users.

ISL Online is particularly well-suited for IT service providers (MSPs).

Signing up for ISL Online is straightforward. Users can visit the ISL Online website, sign up, and select from cloud-based hosting or on-premises hosting. The platform offers a 15-day free trial, which gives access to all features to help users evaluate the software before committing.

Other Notable Products

While not as commercially successful as ISL Online, the other products produced by XLAB d.o.o. are groundbreaking and have the potential to grow into significant income streams.

1. XLAB Medic

XLAB Medic is a suite of AI-powered healthcare tools designed to support medical diagnostics and imaging analysis, providing enhanced solutions for healthcare providers. The tool will process and analyze medical images like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays using advanced AI algorithms. This significantly improves diagnostic accuracy and helps healthcare professionals make informed decisions more quickly.

The platform also supports 3D visualization, which aids in diagnosis and treatment planning by giving a more detailed view of medical imaging data. By automating routine diagnostic tasks, XLAB Medic reduces the workload on healthcare professionals and enhances the quality of patient care.

XLAB Medic provides cloud-based data management, including secure and compliant storage solutions for patient records and diagnostic data. This allows easy appropriate access to medical data while ensuring it is protected under stringent data security regulations like HIPAA and GDPR. XLAB Medic is suitable for hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic centers of all sizes.

2. TeleTransfusion

TeleTransfusion is an innovative platform developed by XLAB that focuses on optimizing the blood transfusion process in healthcare settings. It streamlines the management of blood supplies, ensuring that hospitals can efficiently track, store, and distribute blood products. By providing real-time monitoring and data analytics, this system significantly enhances the safety and efficiency of blood transfusions, reducing the risk of shortages and waste. It includes blood inventory management services that integrate strict safety protocols and standards.

This service integrates supply chain management capabilities, allowing hospitals to oversee the lifecycle of blood products from collection and testing to storage and transfusion. The platform ensures a seamless flow of information, enhancing collaboration and coordination in critical care environments. Its focus on safety and compliance, combined with user-friendly features, positions TeleTransfusion as an essential tool for hospitals looking to improve patient outcomes and optimize their transfusion services.

Major Competitors to XLAB d.o.o.

Here are five major competitors to the star product of XLAB d.o.o., ISL Online:

1. TeamViewer A widely-used remote desktop software offering cross-platform access, file sharing, and online meetings. Known for its ease of use and extensive feature set, it’s popular among businesses of all sizes.
2. AnyDesk Offers fast and secure remote desktop access, with low-latency connections and robust security protocols. It caters to both personal and professional users, with a focus on simplicity and performance.
3. LogMeIn Specializes in remote access and collaboration tools, including cloud-based solutions for IT support and remote desktop control. It’s favored by enterprises for its reliability and advanced security features.
4. Splashtop Provides affordable and high-performance remote desktop solutions for businesses, individuals, and IT support teams. It focuses on fast connections, strong security, and flexibility for remote access to multiple devices.
5. Zoho Assist Part of Zoho’s broader ecosystem, it offers cloud-based remote support and unattended access. Known for integration with other Zoho services, it caters to IT support and customer service teams.

Spotlight Wrap Up

ISL Online is a useful remote support tool that is embedding its place in the market for support tools. Few of the tool’s buyers realize the great breadth of the company that supplies it. XLAB d.o.o. is a research organization that is improving health services through innovation and spreading into AI-based data analysis tools. The company is destined to release more award-winning tools in the future.