Empowering Industry 4.0: Revolutionizing Data Exchange with Reactive Microservices-based Data Connector

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, achieving seamless interoperability among diverse systems and technologies is paramount for organizations seeking to enhance operational efficiency and maintain competitiveness. This paper presents a ground-breaking solution, the reactive microservices-based connector, designed to address the intricate challenges of data exchange and communication within Industry 4.0 environments. By leveraging the principles of microservices architecture and reactive programming, the connector offers a scalable, resilient, and agile framework for facilitating real-time data integration across heterogeneous systems. Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review, this paper establishes a theoretical foundation by examining key concepts of Industry 4.0 and microservices architecture. Methodologically, the research adopts a Design Science Research approach, guiding the systematic development, implementation, and evaluation of the connector. Detailed insights into the design and implementation aspects of the connector, including its architecture, data processing pipeline, and integration with Akka Cluster and Akka Streams, are provided. Testing results offer valuable insights into the capabilities and limitations of the connector, particularly emphasizing observations from testing in virtualized environments. The paper concludes by highlighting the significance of the proposed approach in advancing interoperability efforts within the Industry 4.0 landscape and offering recommendations for future research directions.