Mr. Koschnick, what exactly is behind the openAAS project and what triggered it?
Koschnick: So far, we have been very much at the conceptual level when it comes to Industry 4.0 and have defined models and frameworks. One of these models is the Industry 4.0 component, with its so-called administration shell. It is a model that describes the properties of cyber-physical systems - i.e. real production objects that are networked with virtual objects and processes - in more detail. It is now time to build a bridge from theory to the development departments of companies in order to fill this administration shell. This is what the 'openAAS' software project aims to achieve. The abbreviation AAS stands for Asset Administration Shell. The project is an open source project with the aim of defining the contents of the administration shell and thus shaping the store floor's communication with the Internet of Things, Services and People.

Can you explain this in more detail?
As already mentioned, the asset administration shell is a model that describes the properties of cyber-physical systems in more detail. You can imagine it as follows: From the development of a product - be it a sensor or a machine - right through to disposal, data is generated. If this data is now stored in asset administration shells throughout the entire life cycle of the product, it can be made available in the Internet of Things and Services to those who need this data. What is new here is that a product carries all this data with it across the company as if it were in a 'data backpack'. Where the administration shell is physically located - whether on the machine or on a company server or in a cloud - is irrelevant. What is important is the clear assignment to the device.

What specific role do the ZVEI and project partner RWTH Aachen University play in the project?
The ZVEI is the trade association of the electrical industry and was therefore the driving force behind the development of the Industry 4.0 component from the very beginning. It is the next logical step for us to use this project to bring the concepts accepted on the Industry 4.0 platform to companies and their implementation. Under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Ulrich Epple, RWTH Aachen University is contributing its academic expertise to the project and designing the open source platform. What is new for us is that we are using technologies and processes from the IT industry for collaborative development.

To what extent can other partners get involved in the project?
The cooperation of companies from all areas of industry is desirable. This means that companies, research institutes and other stakeholders can create their own implementations at a very early stage, contribute them to the project and test them against the reference solution. In this way, the gap between paper solutions and practical implementation is closed step by step. This is made possible by the open source platform that we are launching here.

Is the project a 'national solo effort' by the ZVEI or German industry, or is it also supported by international bodies such as the IIC?
We are the pioneer. But that doesn't mean it's a national solo effort: the open source project using the generally recognized GitHub portal is open and accessible to everyone - both nationally and internationally. International corporations have also already expressed an interest in participating.

The IIC is not yet active in this area. However, regular meetings between the Industry 4.0 platform and the IIC will allow it to gather information and get involved. In addition, some companies are active in both the platform and the IIC - I'm sure there will be an exchange.

What is the exact roadmap for the project and when do you expect to see results?
We are just at the beginning. Our cooperation with RWTH Aachen University started in January 2016. The first major kick-off event for interested companies took place at the beginning of March. We expect to see the first results as early as summer 2016.