An operating device for a machine tool, the operating device comprising at least one spindle or electrospindle, sensor means to measure at least one operating parameter of the operating device and an electronic control unit, which comprises a processing and control unit, data acquisition devices configured to acquire machine data concerning the operation of the machine tool, a memory to store measured values of the operating parameter of the operating device and the machine data, and a communication module, preferably wireless, configured to transmit the measured values and the machine data to a server, which is remotely accessible and comprises a database, and/or to a mobile communication device.