Industry 4.0 HUB: A Collaborative Knowledge Transfer Platform for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - MDPI
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applied
sciences
Article
Industry 4.0 HUB: A Collaborative Knowledge Transfer
Platform for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Alberto Cotrino * , Miguel A. Sebastián and Cristina González-Gaya
Department of Construction and Manufacturing Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Educación a
Distancia (UNED), C/Juan del Rosal 12, 28040 Madrid, Spain; msebastian@ind.uned.es (M.A.S.);
cggaya@ind.uned.es (C.G.-G.)
* Correspondence: acotrino3@alumno.uned.es; Tel.: +49-175-815-6948
Abstract: Industry 4.0 brings opportunities for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), but
SMEs are lacking Industry 4.0 knowledge, and this might result in a challenge to support SMEs’
competitiveness and productivity. During recent years, the European Commission and some govern-
ment initiatives have been fostering the transition toward Industry 4.0 for SMEs through the creation
of Digital Innovation Hubs, the Plattform Industrie 4.0, and some other initiatives. Nonetheless, the
authors consider that the lack of knowledge is still a risk toward Industry 4.0 transformation for
SMEs. New ways to improve Industry 4.0 knowledge management and especially the knowledge
transfer must be developed. When SMEs start the transition to Industry 4.0, first of all, they do not
want to start from scratch, and secondly, it can be easy to get lost in the multitude of technologies
and tools that are available in today’s market. There is a gap in which to provide a collaborative
Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer platform or hub designed for SMEs. Therefore, this research aims to
enhance Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer through the development of a collaborative, web-based
knowledge transfer Industry 4.0 platform. The outcome of this research is a developed platform that
Citation: Cotrino, A.; Sebastián, will be referred to as Industry 4.0 HUB.
M.A.; González-Gaya, C. Industry 4.0
HUB: A Collaborative Knowledge Keywords: Industry 4.0; knowledge transfer; hub; platform
Transfer Platform for Small and
Medium-Sized Enterprises. Appl. Sci.
2021, 11, 5548. https://doi.org/
10.3390/app11125548
1. Introduction
Academic Editor: Albert Smalcerz The Fourth Industrial Revolution is profoundly changing the structures and processes
within companies. Industry 4.0 is a one-time event that brings opportunities and chal-
Received: 24 May 2021 lenges for large-sized enterprises, as well as for SMEs [1,2]. Big companies have deployed
Accepted: 11 June 2021 investment plans, roadmaps, and worldwide investigation groups to support the tran-
Published: 15 June 2021 sition toward Industry 4.0. The close relationship between a large-sized enterprise and
an SME requires both advancing and progressing at the same speed. Therefore, SMEs
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral must adapt to Industry 4.0 developments proposed by large companies. To cope with this
with regard to jurisdictional claims in transformation and be able to adopt Industry 4.0 innovations, SMEs must demonstrate
published maps and institutional affil- flexibility and adaptability. However, many SMEs still find it difficult to know which
iations. Industry 4.0 technologies to invest in [3–5].
Research and European initiatives in recent years proved that SMEs must be consid-
ered independently from large-sized enterprises regarding Industry 4.0 implementation,
because they are less capable of handling the financial, technological, and staffing chal-
Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. lenges than large companies [6–10]. The Fourth Industrial Revolution could end up being
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. an obstacle to support firm competitiveness and productivity if the SMEs’ peculiarities are
This article is an open access article not properly identified and supported. To gain a better insight into the characteristics of
distributed under the terms and SMEs adopting Industry 4.0 technologies, the authors performed a systematic literature
conditions of the Creative Commons review to understand the challenges and problems that SMEs are facing during the Industry
Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// 4.0 transformation. Some authors refer to financial resources and technology awareness as
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ the primary challenges that the SMEs are facing.
4.0/).
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125548 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci
Appl.Sci.
Appl. Sci.2021, 11,5548
2021,11, 5548 2 2ofof12
12
Other
Otherresearch
research points outout
points high costs,
high a lack
costs, a of
lackinformation, complexity,
of information, and theand
complexity, abun-
the
abundance
dance of technologies
of technologies as theas thechallenges
key key challenges and problems.
and problems. However,
However, all ofall of them
them agreeagree
on
on one
one challenge:
challenge: a lack
a lack of knowledge
of knowledge [1–5,11,12].
[1–5,11,12]. SMEsSMEs have
have problemsaccessing
problems accessingIndustry
Industry
4.0knowledge
4.0 knowledgedue duetotothe
thelack
lackofofknowledge
knowledgemanagement
managementand andtransfer.
transfer.
Knowledgemanagement
Knowledge management(KM) (KM)isisaafield
fieldofofstudy
studythat
thathas
hasexisted
existedforformore
morethanthanfour
four
decades[13].
decades [13].ItItcan
canbe
bedefined
definedas asthe
theprocess
processof ofcreating,
creating,sharing,
sharing,using,
using,andandmanaging
managing
theknowledge
the knowledgeand andinformation
informationofofan anorganization
organization[14,15].
[14,15].KM
KMhas hasfour
fourprimary
primaryactivity
activity
areas or knowledge flows, as shown in Figure 1: knowledge creation,
areas or knowledge flows, as shown in Figure 1: knowledge creation, retention, transfer,retention, transfer,
andutilization
and utilization[16,17].
[16,17].
Figure
Figure1.1.Knowledge
Knowledgemanagement
managementand
andthe
thefour
fourknowledge
knowledgeflows.
flows.
This
Thisresearch
researchfocuses
focuseson onIndustry
Industry4.0 4.0knowledge
knowledgetransfer transfer(KT)
(KT)within
withinSMEs,
SMEs,as asthis
this
was
wasthetheprimary
primarychallenge
challengeidentified
identifiedduring
duringthe theliterature
literaturereview.
review. KT,KT,sometimes
sometimesalso also
known
knownasasknowledge
knowledgesharing
sharing(KS),
(KS),refers
referstotosharing
sharingknowledge
knowledgefrom fromone
oneindividual
individualor or
groupofofindividuals
group individuals (e.g.,
(e.g., ananSME)SME) to another
to another individual
individual or group
or group of individuals.
of individuals. KT pur- KT
pursues
sues to create,
to create, organize,
organize, andand distribute
distribute knowledge
knowledge between
between differentusers
different usersandandseeks
seekstoto
ensureits
ensure itsavailability
availabilitytotofuture
futureusers
users[15–18].
[15–18].KTKTisisaacomplex
complexfield
fieldbecause
becauseofofthetheplurality
plurality
ofofsources,
sources,including
includingindividuals,
individuals,organizations,
organizations,the theinternet,
internet,andand books.
books. Some
Someaspects
aspects
hinderingsuccessful
hindering successfulKT KTarearecommunication
communicationissues, issues,aalack lackofofnetworking
networkingand anddifficulty
difficulty
accessingthe
accessing theknowledge
knowledge [19,20].
[19,20]. Therefore, the the ability
abilityto totransfer
transferknowledge
knowledgeeffectively
effectivelyin
the networks of SMEs is of paramount importance for supporting
in the networks of SMEs is of paramount importance for supporting the transition the transition to Industry
to In-
4.0. Several studies suggest the development of online platforms
dustry 4.0. Several studies suggest the development of online platforms to optimize to optimize KT [21,22].
KT
These kinds
[21,22]. Theseofkinds
platforms promotepromote
of platforms a knowledge-sharing
a knowledge-sharing culture through
culturediscussion forums
through discus-
andforums
sion other transfer tools
and other so thattools
transfer SMEs socontribute
that SMEsto the overall
contribute to success.
the overall success.
Theauthors
The authorsconsider
considertwo twoaspects
aspectstotobebecrucial
crucialfor forthe
thesuccess
successofofSMEs:
SMEs:thetheimprove-
improve-
ment of the access to Industry 4.0 knowledge and Industry 4.0 KT.
ment of the access to Industry 4.0 knowledge and Industry 4.0 KT. For that reason, this For that reason, this
research aims to fulfil the following research
research aims to fulfil the following research objectives:objectives:
1.1. Analyze
Analyzethe
theexisting
existingKT
KTinitiatives
initiativesand
andplatforms
platformssupporting
supportingthe
theIndustry
Industry4.0
4.0transi-
transi-
tion within SMEs;
tion within SMEs;
2.2. Propose
Proposeaanew
new collaborative
collaborativeonline
onlineplatform
platformtoto
improve Industry
improve 4.0 KT
Industry 4.0 between SMEs.
KT between
SMEs.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 3 of 12
2. Materials and Methods
In this work, we applied a research approach in two phases:
• The first phase was a literature review conducted in 2019 and 2020 to evaluate current
Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer initiatives and platforms. This will be described in
Section 2.1.
• For the second phase, by the end of 2020, the collaborative online platform Industry
4.0 HUB for knowledge transfer for SMEs was developed. This phase will be explained
in Sections 2.2 and 2.3.
2.1. Literature Review
The authors performed a systematic literature review using several databases such
as the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Scopus to identify existing Industry 4.0 KT
initiatives and platforms.
The foundation of Plattform Industrie 4.0 by several German associations with more
than 6000 member companies in April 2013 was the first attempt to create a platform
supporting industry KT and the further development of the recent trend in manufacturing
technologies, termed as Industry 4.0. The platform, officially announced and kicked off at
the Hannover Fair in 2013, seeks to promote the development of Industry 4.0 in Germany
and thus strengthen the competitiveness of Germany as a production location [23,24]. In
this context, the excellent Industry 4.0 map is worth highlighting due to its transformation
of knowledge related to successful and sustained Industry 4.0 test cases and support of
other SMEs accessing Industry 4.0 technologies by providing already proven solutions and
saving the initial trial and error phase. In addition, the SME Transfer Network submodule
organizes meetings and workshops to promote KT within SMEs.
Using the benefits of the digital transformation, the Digital Innovation Hub (DIH)
from the European Commission is another excellent initiative to further promote Industry
4.0 KT within SMEs. It intends to build a European network of DIHs that are one-stop
shops to help companies improve their processes, products, and services by using digital
technologies. DIHs provide access to technical expertise and experimentation by acting as
knowledge transfer platforms [25–27]. To support this initiative, the European Commission
has proposed the creation of the first-ever Digital Europe Programme, which will invest
EUR 9.2 billion to align the next long-term EU budget (2021–2027) with increasing digital
challenges [27–29]. The current numbers show the astonishing progress of the DIHs,
as shown in Figure 2. By May 2021, there were 350 fully operational DIHs in Europe.
Countries like Spain and Italy already have more than 50 DIHs fully operational, while
other countries like Germany and France have more than 20 DIHs in preparation that will
open their doors in the following months [30]. The Digital Europe Programme will foster
the creation of new DIHs even further.
During recent years, a new trend has been observed: some DIHs are getting connected
and creating a cluster to expand their area of influence to a national level and to lead the
development not only of a region, but also of a nation or even a pan-European area [31].
One example of this development is the cluster de:hub, which comprises twelve DIHs
creating one digital ecosystem [29]. Furthermore, a relevant part of the DIHs is the project
DIHNET.EU, which aims to create a sustainable pan-European network of networks to
interconnect the regional DIHs and promote networking and collaboration [32]. This
project might help to create a great online community to foster interaction among hubs,
information exchange, and peer learning.
To conclude, and to highlight the relevance of the abovementioned platforms, the
interest and research in recent years on the DIH and Plattform Industrie 4.0 is growing, as
shown in Figure 3. Moreover, the number of searches for DIH in Google in the last four
years shows popularity peaks during the last two years, which emphasizes the need for
Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer platforms, as shown in Figure 4.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 4 of 12
Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 5 of 12
Figure 2. Top 7 EU countries by number of fully operational DIHs.
2017 2018 2019 2020
30,000
Number of results in Google
25,000
20,000
Scholar
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Digital Innovation Hub Plattform Industrie 4.0
Figure 3. Development
Figure 3. Development during
during the last four the lastoffour
years years of the
the number number
of results in of results
Google in Google
Scholar Scholar
related re- and Plattform
to DIH
Industrie 4.0. lated to DIH and Plattform Industrie 4.0.
100
90
80
Interest over time
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1
Figure 4. Interest over the last four years in DIH, generated via Google Trends.
Numb
5,000
0
Digital Innovation Hub Plattform Industrie 4.0
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 5 of 12
Figure 3. Development during the last four years of the number of results in Google Scholar re-
lated to DIH and Plattform Industrie 4.0.
100
90
80
Interest over time
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Figure 4. Interest over the last four years in DIH, generated via Google Trends.
Figure 4. Interest over the last four years in DIH, generated via Google Trends.
2.2.
2.2. Industry
Industry 4.0
4.0 HUB
HUB
In
In summation,SMEs
summation, SMEsarearebeing
beingsupported
supportedby byEuropean
Europeaninitiatives
initiativesin inorder
ordertotoimprove
improve
KT
KT in regard to Industry 4.0. Moreover, there are even Industry 4.0 KT platforms, clusters,
in regard to Industry 4.0. Moreover, there are even Industry 4.0 KT platforms, clusters,
and
and hubs for SMEs,
hubs for SMEs,like
likethe
theDIHs
DIHs or or Plattform
Plattform Industrie
Industrie 4.0, 4.0,
whichwhich will increase
will increase their
their influ-
influence
ence and and support
support SMEsSMEs in following
in the the following years
years through
through European
European investment
investment plans.
plans.
In
In the case of DIHs, the European Commission is creating a complex, regional, multi-
the case of DIHs, the European Commission is creating a complex, regional, multi-
layered,
layered,andandheterogeneous
heterogeneousinnovation
innovationecosystem
ecosystem thatthatwill
willpromote
promoteits itsexpansion
expansionin inthe
the
following
following years. Some studies have suggested the importance of addressing Industry4.0
years. Some studies have suggested the importance of addressing Industry 4.0
at
at aaregional
regionallevel
levelto
tofoster
fosterinnovation
innovationlocally
locally[33–35].
[33–35]. However,
However, given given the
thenumber,
number,the the
different focus, and the specialization of DIHs at the regional, national, and EU levels,
different focus, and the specialization of DIHs at the regional, national, and EU levels,
new strategies to coordinate, control, and optimize communication through those levels
new strategies to coordinate, control, and optimize communication through those levels
are necessary. DIHs are regionally based, supporting the local industry. Nonetheless,
are necessary. DIHs are regionally based, supporting the local industry. Nonetheless, col-
collaboration and networking between the DIHs are essential to ensure that knowledge
laboration and networking between the DIHs are essential to ensure that knowledge re-
related to the best practices can be transferred.
lated to the best practices can be transferred.
Industry 4.0 technologies are evolving fast, and knowledge must be collected in real
Industry 4.0 technologies are evolving fast, and knowledge must be collected in real
time. Moreover, the inclusion of new technologies, and especially the advent of Industry
time. Moreover, the inclusion of new technologies, and especially the advent of Industry
4.0, are facilitating collaboration while at the same time accelerating the development
4.0, are facilitating collaboration while at the same time accelerating the development of
of innovation outcomes and setting new challenges for SMEs [25,28,31,36]. New KT
innovation outcomes and setting new challenges for SMEs [25,28,31,36]. New KT strate-
strategies must be developed considering the dynamics resulting from the implementation
gies must be developed considering the dynamics resulting from the implementation of
of Industry 4.0. Consequently, promoting a collaborative atmosphere by boosting the
synergies between SMEs and promoting networking through the different levels previously
mentioned will enhance a culture of innovation.
When SMEs start the transition to Industry 4.0, first of all, they do not want to start
from scratch, and secondly, it can be easy to get lost in the multitude of technologies and
tools that are available in today’s market. There is a lack of an essential Industry 4.0 collab-
orative knowledge platform for every SME at every level, as shown in Figure 5. There is a
gap for providing a collaborative web application Industry 4.0 KT hub without borders and
without the level of granularity that initiatives like DIHs have created (European countries,
European regions, and specialized DIHs).
The KT of Industry 4.0 technologies and projects, as well as the networking of SMEs,
can be facilitated via the creation of a collaborative hub. This research aims to fill this gap
and has its focus on developing a collaborative, web-based KT hub for the implementation
of Industry 4.0 components in the supply chains of SMEs.
from scratch, and secondly, it can be easy to get lost in the multitude of technologies and
tools that are available in today’s market. There is a lack of an essential Industry 4.0 col-
laborative knowledge platform for every SME at every level, as shown in Figure 5. There
is a gap for providing a collaborative web application Industry 4.0 KT hub without bor-
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 ders and without the level of granularity that initiatives like DIHs have created (European
6 of 12
countries, European regions, and specialized DIHs).
Figure 5. Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer for SMEs.
Figure 5. Industry 4.0 knowledge transfer for SMEs.
2.3. Development of the Industry 4.0 HUB
The KT of Industry 4.0 technologies and projects, as well as the networking of SMEs,
The web-based KT hub developed during this research is called Industry 4.0 HUB.
can be facilitated via the creation of a collaborative hub. This research aims to fill this gap
It is a full software stack platform (frontend, backend, and database). There are several
and has its focus on developing a collaborative, web-based KT hub for the implementation
alternatives of web application software stack solutions that might be selected based on
of Industry 4.0 components in the supply chains of SMEs.
different decision criteria for each project, including the project size, scalability, maintain-
ability, and security [37]. To support the decision-making, recent results from the Developer
2.3. Development of the Industry 4.0 HUB
Survey 2020 from Stack Overflow were analyzed. Nearly 65,000 developers from over
The web-based
180 countries KT hubindeveloped
participated the survey, during thisresults
and the research is called
show Industry 4.0
that JavaScript, HUB. or
HTML It
is a full software stack platform (frontend, backend, and database).
CSS, and SQL are the top three programming, scripting, and markup languages used [38]. There are several al-
ternatives
As this projectof web application
is still in its earlysoftware
stages, thestack solutions
authors that might
have selected be selected
the following based on
alternatives
different decision criteria for each project, including the project
based on their experience and the current usage between web developers. Other than size, scalability, maintain-
ability, andcriteria
that, other securitywere [37].notTo taken
supportintothe decision-making,
consideration. recent
For the resultsdevelopment,
frontend from the Devel- the
oper Survey
following 2020 from Stack
programming languagesOverflow
were were
used: analyzed. Nearly 65,000 developers from
over
• 180 HTML countries participated
5: the latest versioninofthe thesurvey,
markup and the results
language showpages;
for web that JavaScript, HTML
or
• CSS,
CSS 3: a style sheet language used for describing the presentationlanguages
and SQL are the top three programming, scripting, and markup used
of a document
[38]. As this project is still in its early
written in a markup language such as HTML; stages, the authors have selected the following alter-
natives
• based on4:their
Bootstrap HTML, experience
CSS, andand JavaScript
the currentframework
usage between web developers.
for developing Other
responsive
than web
that, pages.
other criteria were not taken into consideration. For the frontend development,
the following programming languages were used:
The backend development was performed using the following programming languages:
• HTML 5: the latest version of the markup language for web pages;
• PHP: a server scripting language and a powerful tool for making dynamic and inter-
• CSS
active 3: web
a style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document
pages;
• written
JavaScript: high-levellanguage
in a markup such as HTML;
and multi-paradigm programming language.
Finally, MySQL was used for the creation of the database. Moreover, several libraries,
such as the JavaScript library jQuery, were used to simplify the programming and expand
the capabilities of the Industry 4.0 HUB. The full software stack architecture is shown in
Figure 6.
The source code editor used for the development was Visual Studio Code. The first
phase of the development was performed locally on the laptops of the authors on a local
test server without interaction with a live server. Once the platform was running in a
stable state and the first dry runs were completed, it was uploaded to a web server, and the
Industry 4.0 HUB has been live since January 2021 from the following link: i40-hub.com.
• PHP: a server scripting language and a powerful tool for making dynamic and inter-
active web pages;
• JavaScript: high-level and multi-paradigm programming language.
Finally, MySQL was used for the creation of the database. Moreover, several libraries,
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 7 of 12
such as the JavaScript library jQuery, were used to simplify the programming and expand the
capabilities of the Industry 4.0 HUB. The full software stack architecture is shown in Figure 6.
Figure6.6.Frontend,
Figure Frontend,backend,
backend,and
anddatabase
databasedevelopment.
development.
3. Results
The source code editor used for the development was Visual Studio Code. The first
phase of Industry
The 4.0 HUBwas
the development is aperformed
website that aimson
locally to the
support SMEs
laptops in authors
of the selectingonthe ap-
a local
propriate Industry 4.0 technologies and projects. The website intends to work
test server without interaction with a live server. Once the platform was running in a sta-as an SME
collaborative
ble state and network for KT,
the first dry runswhere
wereSMEs can access
completed, theuploaded
it was latest knowledge, expertise,
to a web server, andand the
technology to access Industry 4.0. The Industry 4.0 HUB wants to eliminate impediments
Industry 4.0 HUB has been live since January 2021 from the following link: i40-hub.com to
accessing Industry 4.0 knowledge; it wants to offer open access to Industry 4.0 knowledge.
This platform does not pretend to gather single Industry 4.0 technologies, but instead
3. Results
collects Industry 4.0 use cases, real solutions, and projects in SMEs. The Industry 4.0 HUB
The Industry 4.0 HUB is a website that aims to support SMEs in selecting the appro-
is based on three pillars: the SMEs accessing the platform, the website offering the front end
priate Industry 4.0 technologies and projects. The website intends to work as an SME col-
capabilities, and a database, as the backend, where Industry 4.0 use cases are stored (see
laborative network for KT, where SMEs can access the latest knowledge, expertise, and
Figure 7). The Industry 4.0 HUB is designed with a modular architecture that guarantees
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 technology to access Industry 4.0. The Industry 4.0 HUB wants to eliminate impediments 8 of 12
great advantages in terms of flexibility and extensibility. The Industry 4.0 HUB offers four
to accessing Industry 4.0 knowledge; it wants to offer open access to Industry 4.0
modules, which will be explained in the following subsections.
knowledge.
This platform does not pretend to gather single Industry 4.0 technologies, but instead
collects Industry 4.0 use cases, real solutions, and projects in SMEs. The Industry 4.0 HUB
is based on three pillars: the SMEs accessing the platform, the website offering the front
end capabilities, and a database, as the backend, where Industry 4.0 use cases are stored
(see Figure 7). The Industry 4.0 HUB is designed with a modular architecture that guar-
antees great advantages in terms of flexibility and extensibility. The Industry 4.0 HUB
offers four modules, which will be explained in the following subsections.
Figure 7.
Figure Industry4.0
7. Industry 4.0HUB
HUBarchitecture.
architecture.
3.1. The HUB
3.1. The HUB
This module is the core of the KT. The HUB enables the SMEs to access the Industry
This module is the core of the KT. The HUB enables the SMEs to access the Industry
4.0 database and gain the information and awareness necessary to implement Industry
4.0 database and gain the information and awareness necessary to implement Industry 4.0
use cases. Each use case is presented from a practical viewpoint, with a detailed dataset
including the fields presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Dataset of the Industry 4.0 use cases.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 8 of 12
4.0 use cases. Each use case is presented from a practical viewpoint, with a detailed dataset
including the fields presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Dataset of the Industry 4.0 use cases.
Field Description
Name of the Industry 4.0 Project Unique identification of the Industry 4.0 use case, which is used as a key for the SQL database.
The literature about technologies related to Industry 4.0 is extensive [39–42]. Considering the
large number of technologies related to Industry 4.0, the authors have selected six of these
Industry 4.0 Technology
technologies to classify the use cases: Internet of Things, machine learning, automation, big
data, cloud computing, augmented reality, and other.
Short introduction of the Industry 4.0 solution, including the use case of the project and the
improvement achieved. With this information, other SMEs can gain a quick understanding of
Description
and easily and quickly comprehend the key usage of the solution and implement it in
their organizations.
Several research works have highlighted that SMEs do not have the economic resources to
implement Industry 4.0 technologies [5,8]. For the Industry 4.0 HUB, the authors included
Budget this category so that microenterprises and small enterprises with turnover ranges between
EUR 0.5 million and EUR 10 million can carefully select the solution based on the costs and
the investment.
Picture This allows the user to upload a picture of the use case to support rapid visual recognition.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 This is a field to include links to provide additional information, such as the website of 9the
of 12
Additional Information (Link)
vendor of the technologies used.
Some examples
Some examples of
of Industry
Industry 4.0
4.0 use
use cases
cases in
in SMEs
SMEs related
related to
to the
the Internet
Internet of
of Things
Things
presented using the abovementioned dataset are shown in Figure
presented using the abovementioned dataset are shown in Figure 8.8.
Figure 8. Industry 4.0 HUB desktop user interface.
Figure 8. Industry 4.0 HUB desktop user interface.
3.2. Roadmap
3.2. Roadmap
The HUB enables Industry 4.0 KT and allows SMEs to gain the Industry 4.0 practical
The HUB
knowledge enables
required to Industry
implement4.0the
KTprojects
and allows SMEs
in their to gain However,
facilities. the Industry
the4.0 practical
implemen-
knowledge required to implement the projects in their facilities. However, the implemen-
tation could be tortuous sometimes, and therefore, the authors provide in the Industry 4.0
tation could be tortuous sometimes, and therefore, the authors provide in the Industry
HUB an additional module to support the SMEs: Roadmap.
4.0 HUB an additional module to support the SMEs: Roadmap.
Roadmap aims to facilitate decision-making and access to Industry 4.0 technologies
by the production areas of the SMEs. The six-step roadmap presented is based on the
roadmap for SMEs published in November 2020 by the authors [8]. The main differences
between the roadmap proposed within this paper and the roadmaps presented in previ-
ous research are its focus on SMEs and the practical viewpoint.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 5548 9 of 12
Roadmap aims to facilitate decision-making and access to Industry 4.0 technologies by
the production areas of the SMEs. The six-step roadmap presented is based on the roadmap
for SMEs published in November 2020 by the authors [8]. The main differences between
the roadmap proposed within this paper and the roadmaps presented in previous research
are its focus on SMEs and the practical viewpoint.
3.3. Community
Following the networking trend being observed during recent years in other platforms
like DIH, the Industry 4.0 HUB proposes a module called Community. It aims to be a forum
where SMEs can share experiences on Industry 4.0 implementation and where collaboration
can appear.
3.4. Collaborate
This module allows SMEs to contribute to the Industry 4.0 HUB, introducing use cases,
real projects, and implementations of SMEs in the database. Every DIH has a different
focus and specialization on a regional level, which makes access to the knowledge for SMEs
from other regions or nations within the European Union and outside of it difficult. On
the other hand, Plattform Industrie 4.0 focuses mainly on the use cases in Germany. Both
platforms have already defined structures and procedures. Single users or SMEs are not
able to collaborate; they cannot transfer Industry 4.0 knowledge with other SMEs. The
Industry 4.0 HUB aims to create a platform without regional or national barriers and where
everyone has the right to share Industry 4.0 knowledge and experience.
4. Discussion and Conclusions
The result of this research is the Industry 4.0 HUB platform, which has been com-
pletely developed and online since January 2021 at the following link: i40-hub.com. This
research presents the qualitative advantages of using the collaborative KT platform Indus-
try 4.0 HUB:
• The Industry 4.0 HUB creates a single source for Industry 4.0 KT for SMEs. Every
SME willing to implement Industry 4.0 technologies does not need to seek hundreds
of papers, books, and platforms as everything is available in just one website, which
covers the lack of knowledge highlighted in Section 1. Additionally, the resources
needed to start the Fourth Industrial Revolution are minimized.
• The HUB provides real-time SME access to an immense collection of Industry 4.0 use cases.
• The Collaborate and Networking modules allow SMEs to enter use cases and share
Industry 4.0 knowledge and resources, creating a collaborative network.
• The Roadmap module helps SMEs enter the new era of manufacturing using a simple
process that does not require complex expertise or big teams.
Industry 4.0 KT must be simplified for the SMEs, especially for the microenterprises,
and therefore, a single source platform like the Industry 4.0 HUB could provide the solution
to the deficiency identified. As was previously mentioned, DIHs and Plattform Industrie
4.0 are great initiatives and key enablers for the transition toward Industry 4.0 and digital
transformation for European SMEs. The European network of DIHs will help companies
to improve their processes, products, and services using digital technologies, and they
will provide access to technical expertise and experimentation, but the authors wanted to
propose a different way to improve the Industry 4.0 KT between SMEs. Table 2 highlights
some of the differences between the Industry 4.0 HUB, the Plattform Industrie 4.0, and the
DIHs. In conclusion, the Industry 4.0 HUB supports the transition toward Industry 4.0
for SMEs by using a different approach than the one used in Plattform Industrie 4.0 and
the DIHs. The Industry 4.0 HUB aims to eliminate unnecessary barriers and to simplify
Industry 4.0 KT.
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studies. The first limitation is that further analysis of the quantitative results for the
Industry 4.0 HUB is still required. A representative number of SMEs need to start using
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Acknowledgments: This paper has been produced the scope the doctoral activities carried
s a content
work,
management
such as a content
system
work, management
(CMS)
such as like
a content
Drupal,
system management
which
(CMS) could
like Drupal,
system
simplify which
(CMS)
the could
like
work, Drupal,
simplify
such as
out by the lead author at the International Doctorate School of the Spanish National Distance- awhich
the
content could
work, simplify
management
such as a the
content
system management
(CMS) like Dru
sy
d maintainability
scalability and
of the
maintainability
platform.
scalability and of themaintainability
platform. of the platform. scalability and
Learning University (EIDUNED_ Escuela Internacional de Doctorado de la Universidad Nacional de maintainability
scalability and
of themaintainability
platform. of the pla
Educación a Distancia). The authors are grateful for the support provided by this institution.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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