Design of a six-layer data architecture based on OT/IT convergence in the context of Industry 4.0

Abstract

To support digital transition of industrial companies, it is imperative to prepare a strong technical infrastructure to implement cyber-physical systems, that should be a corner stone to build smart factory models. Our article has the target of proposing a key element of this imperative, by elaborating a data-driven architecture relying on automation of production lines, given that data should be placed at the center of digital manufacturing. Furthermore, the advent of Industry 4.0 technologies has imposed their integration into any modern architecture model, thanks to their ability to enhance the properties of real-time, mobility and connectivity. Thus, we have ensured that our multi-layer proposed model be hybrid in nature, combining both traditional technologies and those of Industry 4.0 generation, so that could serve digital mutations progressively, Also, the suggestion of this work has been fortified by resilient measures to face some serious challenges, such as: cybersecurity threats, agility in implementation, energy saving and investment optimization.