Model similarity evidence and interoperability affinity in cloud-ready Industry 4.0 technologies

Cloud computing is revolutionizing IT environments in most fields of economy. Its service-based approach enables collaboration and data exchange on higher level, with better efficiency and parallel decreasing costs. Also manufacturing environments can benefit from cloud technology and better fulfill fast changes in market demands, by applying diverse cloud deployment models and by virtualizing manufacturing processes and assets into services. As cloud becomes the basis of most innovative manufacturing IT systems, its future role in Cyber-physical Production Systems has to be properly investigated, as their interoperability will play a role of vital importance. In this paper, after a brief introduction to cloud criticality and cloud-based manufacturing, the mutual conceptual similarities in modelling distributed industrial services of two of the major standardization frameworks for industrial Internet architectures are presented: the Industrial Internet Reference Architecture (IIRA) and the Reference Architectural Model Industrie (RAMI 4.0). It is also introduced how their integration feasibility finds a strong affinity in specifications of the Open Connectivity Unified Architecture, a service-oriented architecture candidate to the standardization of Industrial Internet of Things based manufacturing platforms. Finally, the preliminary architecture of a prototype Smart Factory is presented as a case study

Comparative investment analysis of small-scale broiler and layer enterprises in Osun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the investment patterns, costs and return structures of the layer and broiler production in Osun State, Nigeria. It also compared their net present value in the study area to determine their investment returns. A multistage sampling technique was employed in selecting respondents for the study. Primary data were collected from 180 broiler and layer farms, comprising 90 broiler farms and 90 layer farms from six local governments in Osun State using a structured questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and investment tools. The investment pattern indicated that a larger amount of money was invested in capital assets for small-scale layers (?651,274.5) compared to broilers (?448,068.6). Personal saving was the major source of funding among the small-scale layer enterprises compared to that of broiler enterprises. In addition, the survival of re-investment in small-scale layers depends largely on funds from family members while the small-scale broiler enterprise depends on retained earnings. The budgetary analysis showed that the gross margin of the farmers was ?166,321.8 and ?1,150,470.8 for broiler and layer enterprises, respectively. Investment analysis revealed that the layer enterprise had a higher positive net present value (NPV) and the internal rate of return (IRR) value of ?1,523,692.6 and 64.9 per cent, respectively. In contrast, the broiler enterprise had lower positive NPV and IRR values of ?961,173.3 and 63.0 per cent, respectively. The study concluded that the small-scale layer enterprise was found to be more economically profitable compared to the small-scale broiler enterprise with higher NPV and IRR values and a shorter discounted payback period in Osun State.</jats:p