Efficient Industrial Value Chains: Automation Instead of Copy & Paste

In modern industry, value chains are complex and involve numerous stakeholders. To plan, build, and operate plants, data must be continuously exchanged between component manufacturers, plant and machine builders, and operators.

A practical way to illustrate this chain is to divide it into three levels:

1. Component manufacturers – supply materials, components, and technical information.
2. Plant and machine builders – integrate components into complex machines, plants, and systems.
3. Operators – use the machines or plants in production, and plan new installations or modifications.

In reality, the chain is even more complex: additional suppliers, service organizations, leasing models, or contractors can add further levels. However, the three-level model is sufficient for explanation purposes.

The value chain typically begins with the operator:

• They plan the construction or modification of a production plant.
• Define specifications (space requirements, energy consumption, production volumes).
• Forward these specifications to the plant and machine builder.

The machine builder translates these requirements into technical solutions, contacts component manufacturers, and gathers data on possible components.
Today, this process is still largely manual – relying on PDFs, Word documents, or emails.
The information is then sent back to the operator, who reviews the proposal and places the order with the machine or plant builder.

At every stage, highly qualified engineers spend time on tedious copy-and-paste work:

• Specifications must be manually interpreted and entered into systems.
• Component information (data sheets, certificates, manuals) is repeatedly copied.
• Feedback loops and orders generate additional manual data entry.

The problem: information gets lost, data quality decreases, and resources are used inefficiently.
Studies show that up to 80% of information can be lost during manual data transfer between stages.

The solution lies in Asset Administration Shells (AAS):

• They enable the interoperable use of data across all IT systems involved (engineering, asset management, maintenance).
• Information no longer needs to be transferred via copy & paste – every stakeholder can directly access the relevant digital data.
• Data quality improves, as complete, structured information is made available in an interoperable form from the start.
• Engineers and developers are relieved from repetitive tasks and can focus on value-adding activities.

Asset Administration Shells automate data exchange along the entire value chain and significantly reduce resource consumption.
They are the key to efficient, transparent, and digital industrial production.