This Companion Specification utilizes subsets of the VEC data model for the description of 'Article' and 'Part' information (see Figure 2). There are multiple reasons for this:

1. It enhances interoperability and consistency in the exchange of data across different systems and equipment within the automotive industry. Article and Part information is used throughout the process, not only in communication with production machines.
2. Components for the wiring harness (Parts) and the wiring harness itself (Article) are diverse, with great variety and many facets. Reusing vetted modelling concepts for their description increases the quality of these aspects for this Companion Specification and enables accelerated and efficient definitions.
3. It allows this Companion Specification to focus on the additional aspects that are relevant to machine communication, such as job management, result data and process parameters.

Due to its scope as a common language in the wiring harness value chain, the VEC standard includes modelling concepts that are necessary in the design and engineering process, but not during production or for certain machine types (e.g., system schematics). The data model elements used in this Companion Specification are a subset of the complete data model defined by the VEC standard.

Concrete mapping between VEC and OPC UA is described in section 9.

Figure 2 – VEC as Part of the Job Description