In the era of Industry 4.0, industrial digitalization has become imperative for manufacturing companies wishing to remain competitive. However, the path to digital transformation is often full of challenges, especially in terms of data management, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This is where Zerynth’s innovative approach comes into play: through the IoT & AI platform, we redefine the way companies approach industrial digitalization. What sets the Zerynth solution apart from others on the market is its data organisation and storage structure, based on the Zerynth Common Data Model (ZCDM).

In this blog post, we delve into the topic and explain why this element makes the platform exceptionally effective in data management, making the Zerynth Platform ideal for their digital transformation journey.

The Challenge of 5.0 Digitalization 

From a technical standpoint, many companies, when undertaking industrial digitalization projects, adopt a “bottom-up” approach, which involves massive and indiscriminate extraction of data from machinery.

This approach generally involves collecting as much data as possible from a machine, either through the PLC (if present) or through the installation of a multitude of additional sensors. Only afterwards do they ask themselves: “Now, what do we do with this data?”

This method presents significant criticalities that can compromise industrial efficiency: 

• Data Deluge: An overload of data that exceeds the company’s management capacity. 
• Operational Inefficiency: Excess information can increase the cognitive load on operators, reducing the effectiveness of decision-making processes.

Zerynth’s Approach: A Methodological Revolution

Zerynth’s approach to industrial digitalization represents a paradigm shift. Instead of indiscriminately collecting all possible data, Zerynth adopts a targeted and strategic top-down methodology, supported by the architecture of the IoT & AI platform: 

• Needs Assessment: It starts with an in-depth analysis of the company’s specific challenges. 
• KPI Identification: Key metrics relevant to the project are defined. 
• Targeted Data Definition and dashboard visualisation: Only the necessary data is strategically selected based on the chosen App.

Zerynth’s top-down approach is inspired by the Pareto principle, according to which 20% of the data can explain 80% of the observed phenomena. In the data collection process, Zerynth focuses only on this critical data, allowing to maximise informational value while minimising complexity.

The role of ZCDM in the Zerynth Platform

The Zerynth Common Data Model is a crucial component of Zerynth’s IoT & AI Platform, designed to maximise industrial efficiency. It serves as a management model for the platform’s Data Lake, with a hierarchical structure that facilitates the identification and acquisition of data necessary for the applications’ operation.

The platform’s architecture is articulated in three main components: 

1. Edge AI Layer: Connects and digitalizes industrial assets, standardising data for the ZCDM. 
2. Data Lake and ZCDM: Stores and structures data according to the Zerynth Common Data Model settings. 
3. Zerynth Apps: Powerful microservices that transform raw data into valuable KPIs.

This structure allows for efficient and scalable data management, optimising the flow of information from origin to final analysis.

Zerynth Common Data Model and its advantages

The Zerynth Common Data Model is an essential component of the Zerynth platform and Zerynth’s innovative approach, capable of giving companies an edge in their industrial digitalization process. 

• Management Efficiency: Reduces data duplication and management complexity, making processes smoother. 
• Simplified Integration: Unifies different applications and management systems, creating a cohesive and integrated ecosystem. 
• Optimized Analysis and Reporting: Transforms raw data into valuable information with ease, allowing the creation of meaningful reports in an instant. 
• Scalability: The ZCDM evolves with your company, adapting to new business needs. 
• Operational Agility: Obtain rapid and targeted insights thanks to a holistic view of your business systems, for increasingly informed and timely decisions.

AI-Ready Platform

The Zerynth Common Data Model is not just a tool for efficient data management, but also represents a fundamental bridge towards the implementation of industrial AI. The standardised and well-organised structure of the ZCDM creates the ideal foundation for the application of advanced artificial intelligence algorithms.

Thanks to the quality and consistency of data guaranteed by the ZCDM, companies can easily integrate industrial AI solutions like Zero, Zerynth’s innovative industrial AI Copilot. Zero leverages the optimised data structure of the ZCDM to offer advanced features such as real-time monitoring, assisted system configuration, automatic report generation, and proactive notifications.

In this way, the Zerynth Common Data Model configures itself as a key element in the Zerynth ecosystem, facilitating not only industrial digitalization but also paving the way for a future where artificial intelligence plays a central role in optimising production processes. The ZCDM, therefore, is not just a data management tool, but a true catalyst for innovation in Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

Want to know more about the features of the Zerynth Common Data Model and how it can power your company’s digital transformation? Download the White Paper now to learn more!