# Low-Cost Digitalization Solution through Scalable IIoT Prototypes
## 1 Introduction
**Scalability--**There are two aspects of scaling to consider; the first is scaling the solution from one machine to the entire factory. Digitizing the entire factory floor at once is exposing the business to the high initial cost before they are sufficiently convinced of the digital transformation benefits. The second aspect is the \"maturation\" of the solution, developing it from the prototype phase to the fully operational product. 5. **Unobtrusiveness--**There is less motivation to change a process that already works. It is beneficial if the processes and operations already present in the factory are not overly modified. [PERSON] et al. [24] state that due to the high cost of downtime in production, the manufacturing companies will carefully consider introducing new technologies due to possible risks to process reliability. IIoT solutions fit the aforementioned requirements and can make machines connectable, e.g., \"teaching them how to talk\". The current IIoT landscape provides several such solutions. However, as observed by [PERSON] et al. [18], SMEs do not possess financial capabilities, or they lack a skilled workforce to operate and maintain IIoT systems. One more drawback is that those commercial solutions often lack the required level of adaptability. SMEs normally have very specific use case tailored solutions that need to be developed and tested. This means developing a prototype that can quickly demonstrate the capabilities and benefits of digitization. This is also in line with the \"test before invest\" principle that has been touted as a strategic means for driving the digital transformation of European SMEs [25] by European Commission Digital Innovation Hubs. Moreover, the culture of digital processes is not sufficiently introduced, and prototyping is the key to raising awareness of the benefits. This work focuses on the Industry 4.0 adoption problem in the manufacturing industry, especially considering the motivation factor of the decision-makers. The authors selected an actual case study, and the chosen company had not adopted the Industry 4.0 paradigm yet. It is the same situation that many companies in the manufacturing industry find themselves in. [PERSON] et al. [26] have conducted an assessment of Italian SMEs to determine Digital Readiness Level, and they have found that 40% of manufacturing SMEs have only partially digitized their operations. The machines were made before the introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies and are thus not equipped for digitization. It is important to note that adopting the Industry 4.0 paradigm is not perceived as a necessity from the stakeholder point of view; nevertheless, the study aims to demonstrate its benefits to them and ultimately motivate them to upgrade. In the scope of this paper, this principle was applied as a means to introduce and test the solution to one machine in one factory. The final goal involves scaling up to a complete solution ready for Industry 4.0 adoption in the entire production line, in one or more factories. In particular, the approach wants to digitize the machine and then turn it into the final industrial-grade system in a seamless manner and at almost zero additional cost. This will cheaply and quickly show the benefits of digitalization, and it will lead to further adoption of Industry 4.0 paradigms. Section 2 further investigates the motivation effect in SMEs, the current state of the digital transformation, and finally, the state of the art in retrofitting and automation solutions. In Section 3, the authors present the methodology that was used in the development of the IIoT solution, while Section 4 will focus on the specific case study that demonstrates the solution development, implementation, and installation. Section 5 deals with the explanation of the prototyping process, as well as the solution selection process. Finally, the conclusion and a look toward future development are given in Section 6.