IEC 63278-1:2023 defines the structure of a standardized digital representation of an asset, called Asset Administration Shell (AAS). The Asset Administration Shell gives uniform access to information and services.
The purpose of the Asset Administration Shell is to enable two or more software applications to exchange information and to mutually use the information that has been exchanged in a trusted and secure way.
This document focuses on Asset Administration Shells representing assets of manufacturing enterprises including products produced by those enterprises and the full hierarchy of industrial equipment. It defines the related structures, information, and services.
The Asset Administration Shell applies to:
any type of industrial process (discrete manufacturing, continuous process, batch process, hybrid production);
any industrial sector applying industrial-process measurement, control and automation;
the entire life cycle of assets from idea to end of life treatment;
assets which are physical, digital, or intangible entities.