The goal of the Joint Working Group is to specify how OPC UA information models of machines, SCADA and Manufacturing Execution Systems will be stored in and accessed from a cloud-based database. The database will enable manufacturers to draw from a wide range of OPC UA information models and profiles for use in their pre-built shopfloor and business digitalization applications.

Collaboration between the OPC Foundation and the Smart Manufacturing Institute is a natural fit given their complementary efforts. On one hand, the US government-backed Smart Manufacturing Institute sets out to help accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing by businesses of all sizes by enabling frictionless movement of information (data and context) between real-time operations and the people and systems that create value in their organizations.

On the other hand, the OPC Foundation created a globally adopted open data interoperability standard via its OPC UA specification. The specification’s information modeling capabilities and secure, scalable communications made it a cornerstone of Industrie 4.0 and other national Industrial IoT initiatives.

By working together, CESMII and the OPC Foundation aim to enable the broadest range of US manufacturers and beyond to innovate and go-to-market in their digital transformation using the right data modeling foundation.

John Dyck, CEO of CESMII, explained: “This joint working group validates our core, overarching strategy and commitment to interoperability and an open ecosystem, enabling the digitization and reuse of standard, templatized data structures that will dramatically reduce the cost and complexities of implementing Smart Manufacturing.”

“Crowdsourcing the domain expertise required to create these reusable device, machine and process profiles will dramatically lower the barrier of entry for innovation and value creation in manufacturing, and ensure that Smart Manufacturing is accessible not just to the large manufacturers, but to the small and medium manufacturers as well,” Dyck added.

News report by OPC Foundation