Enhancing Software Distribution and Collaboration in Manufacturing: Developing the IMOS Platform

In today’s fast-evolving tech landscape, small and medium-sized businesses often struggle to keep pace with innovation due to financial constraints and the complexity of integrating new solutions. As the industrial world transitions from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0, both manufacturers and software providers are embracing a modular approach to software procurement and deployment. This strategy not only boosts flexibility and affordability but also prioritizes sustainability and the value of collaborative efforts. The Industry Modular Operating System (IMOS) is presented as a platform supporting software accessibility, execution, and integration, while encouraging partnerships between software developers and industrial site managers. IMOS is designed to address recent industry challenges, with a focus on building a solid framework that highlights modularity, facilitates distribution, and promotes cooperation. This system facilitates the distribution of industry-oriented tools by offering containerized software solutions through a unified marketplace. The platform enables industry professionals to efficiently manage diverse applications and services, both on-site and in the cloud, granting access to tailored data and resources. IMOS uniquely extends the concept of Industrial Symbiosis to digital assets, proposing the development of a collaborative forum that values co-creation, facilitates resource sharing, and fosters symbiotic relations. By creating this flexible ecosystem, IMOS closes the gap between development and production, fostering collaboration, innovation, and shared expertise within an active community of industry leaders.