Filling the Semantics Gap in Industrial Communication: Middleware+ for an Internet of Production

To enable interoperable communication between enterprise software and industrial assets, the Internet of Production reference model suggests a single platform for routing and data access. This Middleware+ must not only act as a central message broker but also meet the challenge of incompatible data models. However, its exact capabilities remain blurred. We first compile relevant technologies and standards to integrate. Definition of requirements and a software architecture proposal follow. Considering the heterogeneous degree of connectivity within producing companies, we then sketch the path to implementation based on maturity levels. The result is a distributed information system architecture ensuring the rigorous use of semantic information models throughout the entire lifecycle of a product.