Software AG to Become Member of Open Industry 4.0 Alliance Linking OT and IT

The positive effects of the digital transformation on production and logistics processes across companies and the establishment of the first digital business models have already been successfully tried and tested in the process industry and in discrete manufacturing. But the variety of different protocols, standards and frameworks is a hindrance to platform-based scaling and monetization approaches.

In response to these experiences, well-known and powerful IT and OT organizations such as ifm electronic, Beckhoff, SAP, KUKA, Hilscher, Endress+Hauser and Multivac have partnered to drive cross-vendor standardization of digitalization projects in production and logistics. Their proviso is “One and Open.”

More than 21 manufacturing and software companies now belong to the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance. Together, they are developing open, compatible and standardized solutions for industrial customers.

According to Bernd Gross, Software AG’s Chief Technology Officer, “The members of the alliance have agreed on an open and pragmatic approach to ensure interoperability for industrial automation (Industry 4.0). This approach puts customer value front and center. The interplay between IT and OT requires multi-vendor interoperability. That is the only way factories in the manufacturing and process industries can reap the benefits of Industry 4.0. The open standards-based approach is the perfect fit for our philosophy, Freedom as a Service.”

Dr. Stefan Sigg, Software AG’s Chief Product Officer, added, “Distributed environment interoperability and connectivity are essential to an open Industry 4.0 environment. We look forward to contributing our expertise and experience in these fields to the alliance’ discussions and projects.”

Click here to learn more about the Open Industry 4.0 Alliance.