Fundamentals for the next generation of automation solutions of the fourth industrial revolution

Due to rising engineering expenses, increasing cost pressure and additional flexibility requirements new methods of software development have to be adapted in the automation domain. The key challenge is the development of reusable, maintainable and adaptable automation solutions. These software qualities are directly influenced by the software architecture. Therefore the authors present a software architecture for the next generation automation solution and a process that ensures the proper implementation of the architecture. Afterward, an example for such an automation solutions is given.