ISA-95 Information Exchange Guide: Models, Flows & Protocols

As an experienced consultant in implementing ISA-95, we can prepare a guide to Information Flow similar to the below-mentioned table:

Source LevelTarget LevelType of Information Exchanged (ISA-95 Context)Typical Form / ProtocolNotes & Enhancements
ERP (Level 4)MES / MOM (Level 3)– Production Schedules
– Work Orders
– Product Definitions
– Material Lists
B2MML (XML/JSON) over APIs (REST, SOAP) or Messaging (MQ)B2MML implements ISA-95 models. High-level KPIs are usually derived from L3 data, not sent down from L4.
MES / MOM (Level 3)ERP (Level 4)– Production Responses
– Completed Quantities
– Material Consumption
– Quality Test Results
B2MML (XML/JSON) over APIs or MessagingInventory updates result from this consumption/production information.
MES / MOM (Level 3)SCADA / Control (Level 2)– Detailed Procedures / Recipes
– Setpoints
– Operator Instructions
– Work-to-Packets
OPC UA (Commands/Recipes), MQTT/SparkplugDispatch instructions decomposed into executable “work packets.” REST less common due to real-time requirements.
SCADA / Control (Level 2)MES / MOM (Level 3)– Production Performance (per batch/unit)
– Contextualized Alarm & Event Summaries
– Aggregated Equipment Status
OPC UA (Alarms & Events, Data), MQTT/SparkplugContextualized data; “as-produced” records. MES calculates KPIs from this data.
Control / PLC (Level 1)SCADA (Level 2)– Raw Sensor Readings (I/O)
– Actuator States
– Device-level Alarms
OPC DA/UA, Fieldbus (Profinet, EtherNet/IP), Modbus TCPRaw, real-time data layer with strict timing. SCADA aggregates/contextualizes for L3.
SCADA / Control (Level 2)PLC (Level 1)– Device Commands
– Control Setpoints
– Mode Changes
Fieldbus, OPC UAAdded downflow: L2 sends commands based on recipes from L3. Critical for execution.