Enterprise Interoperability VII: Enterprise Interoperability in the Digitized and Networked Factory of the Future

Over 30 papers, ranging from academic research through case studies to industrial and administrative experience of interoperability show how, in a scenario of globalised markets, where the capacity to cooperate with other organizations efficiently is essential in order to remain economically, socially and environmentally cost-effective, the most innovative digitized and networked enterprises ensure that their systems and applications are able to interoperate across heterogeneous collaborative networks of independent organizations. This goal of interoperability is essential, not only from the perspective of the individual enterprise but also in the business structures that are now emerging, such as complex collaborating networks of suppliers and customers, virtual enterprises, interconnected organisations or extended enterprises, as well as in mergers and acquisitions. Establishing efficient and relevant collaborative situations requires the management of interoperability from a dynamic point of view: a relevant and efficient collaboration of organizations may require adaptation to remain in line with changing objectives, evolving resources, unexpected events, etc. Many of the papers contained in this, the eighth volume of Proceedings of the I-ESA Conferences have examples and illustrations calculated to deepen understanding and generate new ideas.