ISA seeks help on distributed workflows

The International Society of Automation issued a call Mar. 19 for participants to join its new ISA113 standard committee, which aims to create a standard that bridges workflow styles, decouples workflow logic from where work happens, establishes action-based integration for operational technology (OT)/information technology (IT) workflows, and builds a foundation for multi-system orchestration.

The committee is being formed to address a growing need for improved interoperability across workflow systems used in industrial organizations. Many users and teams are burdened with bespoke, one-off integration projects that are required to connect workflow systems. ISA113 aims to create a standard that bridges workflow styles, decouples workflow logic from where work happens, establishes action-based integration for operational technology (OT)/information technology (IT) workflows, and builds a foundation for multi-system orchestration.

The American National Standards Institute published the official call for ISA113 committee members on Mar. 20, and the call for interested parties will remain open for 30 days following this publication date. Individuals with relevant expertise and interest in contributing to this effort are encouraged to participate.

ISA adds that one particular area of emphasis for the ISA113 committee’s work will be enabling interoperability between orchestrated workflows and choreographed workflows. Orchestrated workflows, such as ISA-88-style hierarchical procedures and phases, are widely used in industrial automation and batch control environments. Choreographed workflows, which are common in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) standardized, graphical language, manufacturing execution systems (MES) and broader business process environments, support more distributed and event-driven process coordination. As organizations undergo digital transformation, they increasingly rely on both styles, and the need for seamless integration between them has become more urgent.

“The goal of initiating the ISA113 standard committee is to help bridge OT/IT workflow styles,” says Steve Ferguson, managing director of standards and technical activities at ISA. “This work has the potential to help organizations improve efficiency, reduce integration risk and support more scalable digital transformation initiatives. A vendor-neutral standard can also foster greater collaboration across suppliers, end users, integrators and software providers.”

ISA welcomes participation from end users, automation suppliers, software vendors, system integrators, consultants and other stakeholders with expertise in workflow systems, industrial automation, MES, BPMN and standards development. Broad representation will be essential to ensuring the resulting standard reflects diverse industry needs and delivers practical value. Those interested in helping shape the future of distributed workflow interoperability are encouraged to respond during the 30-day ANSI call period.