A study commissioned by VDMA and ZVEI and conducted by the Fraunhofer Institutes ISST, IOSB and IPA shows how a data room could be designed for the Manufacturing-X data ecosystem, which is considered the next big step for the implementation of Industry 4.0. In doing so, the study primarily takes into account the specific requirements of manufacturing companies from SMEs and their expectations of a secure and value-creating digital data economy.

Scalable, but secure

In order to be able to create an innovative and secure data space from the outset, the study has chosen an approach that takes a look at basic services and organizational aspects in addition to the digital architecture. Flexibility and scaling of the data room are given high priority. The aim is also to design Manufacturing-X in such a way that the specific requirements of the participating companies can be incorporated immediately and also developed dynamically.

Gunther Koschnick, ZVEI Division Manager Industry, explains: "In the future, small and medium-sized companies in particular will be able to exchange their data more easily and, moreover, share it with third parties on an equal footing. At the same time, the sovereignty and security of the data will be preserved. With Manufacturing-X, we are building on existing standards, be it the Asset Administration Shell, the OPC UA standards in the umati environment or the use of so-called EDC connectors. Ultimately, it's about maximum interoperability for the integration of as many players as possible." And he's confident: "The blueprint study points the way to how this interplay can take place."

Data rooms vs. platforms

"Data spaces allow data to be shared while protecting the trust and data sovereignty of participants and without the lock-in effects of traditional platform architectures. The resulting data ecosystems provide benefits for a wide range of different participants - which is very much in line with the structure of the mechanical engineering and electronics industries", explains Boris Otto, executive director at the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST, which was involved in the study.

Next step: Obtaining feedback from industry partners

The next step is to refine the blueprint study for Manufacturing-X in close collaboration with manufacturing industry partners. The feedback and experience gained from these so-called deep dives will be used to further optimize the final implementation of Manufacturing-X and ensure that it meets the specific needs of the industry.

The preliminary study is available for download via the link below (PDF).