# Low-Code as Enabler of Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Industry
## 3 Low-Code Development Platforms
### General Overview of Virtual Factory Open Operating System (vf-OS) Platform
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**Virtual Factory Input/Output Interface (vf-IO)** \\ \hline It is a set of modules that virtualise factory’s real assets and connect them to their images in vf-OS, vf-IO implements plug-and-play mechanisms and device drivers for seamless/open access and smart virtualisation of the factory resources; it is composed by devices drivers, application programming interface (API) connectors, security, and data access. Thus, the vf-IO is composed of the modules that enable connectivity to assets like legacy enterprise resource planning (ERPs) or customer relationship management (CKMs), cyber-physical systems (CPSs), smart objects or wireless sensor networks. \\ \hline
**Virtual Factory System Kernel (vf-SK)** \\ \hline It is the core of the operating system, responsible for providing key system resources and a set of specific services, which is open and accessible to other components of the system. \\ \hline
**Virtual Factory Devices Drivers and Open Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).** \\ \hline Open APIs, interconnection modules and drivers serve as interoperability mechanisms between the factory and vf-OS applications. The integration between both is seamless and secure. It provides interfaces to physical assets (e.g., senses) and virtual assets (e.g., ERP systems and data) and eases their use in vf-OS. \\ \hline
**Virtual Factory Middleware (vf-MW)** \\ \hline It consists of system services and a data bus, which provide a set of modules to integrate data from arbitrary sources, including, but not limited to CPS, smart objects, radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, and wireless sensor networks. Moreover, the use of cloud-based data storage avoids vendor lock-in issues and minimises the risk of system failures. Accessibility of data is facilitated through connectors and wrappers. \\ \hline
**Virtual Factory Open Applications Development Kit (vf-OAK)** \\ \hline A complete and fully open development kit addressed to the software photo community. The aim is addressed to guarantee the growth of specific applications running in vf-OS across all industrial sectors and scenarios. It is composed of a software development kit (SDK) to develop applications, a system dashboard, the OAK Promoted Environment, the OAK Development Studio and a developer engagement hub to engage developers. The SDK implements all the necessary APIs needed to develop VAPSs. The OAK System Dashboard represents the core software services for allowing system monitoring and configuration, the OAK Control Environment provides a framework that facilitates a general 'look, feel, and composition' to vAPSs and assists rapid development, by providing a compilation of UI elements including business logic via the OAK Studio; the vf-OS Development Studio is a desktop development environment that facilitates software developers to compose their applications for running within vf-OS. Additionally, the Developer Engagement Hub is a collaboration platform for developers to support each other. \\ \hline
**vf-OS Applications (vApps)** \\ \hline Manufacturing smart applications enables and optimise communication and collaboration among supply networks across all manufacturing sectors and in all the stages of manufacturing and logistic processes: demand forecast, planning, supply, manufacturing, distribution, storage, replacement, and recycling. \\ \hline
**vf-OS Storage (vf-Store)** \\ \hline Virtual Factory Manufacturing Application Store offers fundamental services of a modern e-Commerce platform for consumer and developers. On one hand, vf-Store enables software developers to offer assets (demanded or initiative), and on the other hand, users can search for, obtain and rate existing vAPSs. Furthermore, the vf-Store acts as a mediator between developers and users. Therefore, the vf-Store is the central point for developers to get in contact with users. In addition to view/set ratings, review, and provide technical information about the asset’s behaviour, the vf-Store supports users to get in contact with developers to offer ideas for new assets. \\ \hline
**Virtual Factory Platform (vf-P)** \\ \hline This is a holistic service platform, which is the foundation for all services and end user applications that vf-OS provides, vf-P encapsulates and acts as the interface and runtime environment between the components, connectors, OAK functions, marketplace, the service framework (supporting the running of intrinsic services and vApps) and the end user applications/developers. The vf-P can run locally and in cloud environments. \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
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