Overview[]
Smart manufacturing (SM) is integration of operating technologies (OT) and information technologies (IT) working together in a real-time. SM requires digital product data be shared and exchanged among numerous engineering applications and information systems. Through its entire lifecycle, a product generates an enormous amount of data in response to different processes (e.g., design, manufacturing, distribution) and needs (e.g., technical, commercial, regulatory). This data is often critical to any organization that plays a role in the product lifecycle. This is where the organizational contribution and value reside. Corrupt or tampered with data can have catastrophic consequences on product development and impact an organization's growth. There is a need to protect the product data and its owner(s) by providing authorization, authentication, and traceability of trustworthy product data through the product lifecycle.[1]