Evaluating the potential of a service oriented infrastructure for the factory of the future

The Service Oriented approaches are seen as a key trend for managing the demanding future factory infrastructure. Within SOCRADES, an advanced infrastructure based on SOA has been designed and implemented in order to accommodate envisaged needs of the factory of the future. As a proof of concept, several prototypes have been implemented. Our goal was to demonstrate that we have realized a really innovative approach for device to business connectivity, which can have a significant impact on the business side, going well beyond existing approaches. We have made an evaluation of the SOCRADES approach for the automation domain, where we investigate the benefits and opportunities that may come from adopting the SOCRADES approach, such as cost reduction, improved performance and new opportunities. We also take a critical view on possible barriers or disadvantages such as technology and human related issues that may not make the SOCRADES vision a reality.