Piloting Industry 4.0 in SMEs with RAMI 4.0: an enterprise architecture approach

Abstract

Reference Architectural Model Industrie 4.0 (RAMI 4.0) is an influential guide to the ongoing digital transformation in industry. However, the adoption of RAMI 4.0 in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is still emerging. This paper describes how to deploy pilot projects in the era of Industry 4.0 following an enterprise architecture (EA) approach. The field intervention presents the design of an app for manufacturing that adheres to RAMI 4.0 in the context of SMEs. ArchiMate language is used to model the Industry 4.0 vision in the case company and identify specific requirements for technology developments. Our work presents (1) EA models for the six main RAMI 4.0 layers: business, functional, information, communication, integration, and asset, and (2) the instantiation of a pilot project adopting mobile technologies in manufacturing and quick response (QR) code identification for product traceability. For theory, our study confirms recent research suggesting the suitability of ArchiMate to help in Industry 4.0 initiatives, providing examples of layered models for RAMI 4.0. For practice, the study can be helpful to increase the adoption of RAMI 4.0 in SMEs and exemplify how to deploy specific industry developments starting with a high-level description of the Industry 4.0 architecture. Enterprise architecture approaches to Industry 4.0 can assist companies in their long-term investment plans and ensure technology integration and strategic alignment of Industry 4.0 projects.