Current Significance of IT-Infrastructure Enabling Industry 4.0 in Large Companies

An appropriate IT-Infrastructure is the basic condition for using Big Data processes in the context of Industry 4.0. Therefore, the objective of this study is to describe the current state of implementation of Big Data relating IT-Infrastructure in large companies. Through three pilot case studies the realization of Industry 4.0 regarding the topics Data Exchange, Cloud Solutions, Data Analysis, Production supported by IT, IT-Security and ERP-Integration in companies is analysed. The sources of information for the case studies were interviews and desktop research. The different cases are compared to the state of the art as described in the literature. Generally, it can be detected, that all three cases are competitive in their industry sectors with regards to IT-Infrastructure. Facts as described in literature can be transferred to the cases. For instance, the horizontal integration of data exchange can be reflected in practice, where an advanced implementation level can be identified. However, there are contradictions with regard to standardized transmission standards as e.g. OPC-UA, a standard for vertical data exchange, as well. The cases can be seen as a sample for enhancing the individual implementation of Big Data processes by improving the IT-Infrastructure.