Transforming existing systems: Brownfield digitalization on the path to industry 4.0.

After more than a decade of progress towards Industry 4.0, digitalization continues its steady advance, particularly with regard to the modernisation and digital transformation of existing production facilities. The targeted use of methods and tools enables systematic planning of a networked factory that takes numerous framework conditions into account. This in turn contributes to the successful fulfilment of operational goals as well as social and economic functions between the physical and virtual worlds. In the course of the digital transformation process, new types of systems are emerging that are becoming more complex, interactive, autonomous and powerful. With the help of cyber-physical systems, physical devices and processes can be equipped with computing and networking capabilities and connected to a data and knowledge structure that is ultimately integrated into the manufacturing process. Manufacturing processes are optimised and adapted through the use of algorithms for big data and advanced technologies. In this dynamic development, self-adaptive, self-learning and autonomous systems can help to successfully overcome the challenges of rapid technological progress and increasing product complexity.The convergence of information technologies and operational technologies is essential to achieve the goal of digitalization in existing industries. This paper provides an overview of digitalization methods in factory planning in the context of Industry 4.0. It describes the common technologies and methods that have been developed over the course of more than a decade of continuous progress in Industry 4.0 and digitalization. A particular focus is placed on the Brownfield and Greenfield approach, which was introduced to software development by Hopkins and Jenkins in 2008. Using these approaches, possible advantages and disadvantages as well as hurdles and challenges in the integration of new systems into existing structures and architectures are analysed and explained in more detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]