Looking one step closer at the machine integration within SAP DM, you need to understand how machines are represented in DM and how data is manipulated. To integrate against machines, SAP DM works with a digital representation of the machine, a so-called digital twin.
This digital twin is built up at the beginning of the design phase and has the same attributes as the real machine on the shop floor. It offers the same tags as the machine itself.
The Production Connectivity Model makes sure that all changes that are made to the digital twin are reflected on the real machine and the other way around. For example, if the machine changes its status tag, the tag value is changed in the digital twin as well. This also works in the other direction, so if the order tag is changed in the digital twin, the production connectivity model writes this value to the machine tags.
Following this model, on one side, the operator can interact with SAP DM in the cloud and use the production operator user interfaces to handle complex assembly processes, for example, doing manual assembly, reading work instructions, or doing activity confirmations. On the other side of production, the operator interacts with the integrated machines, for example, putting in new materials, starting machine programs, and so on.