The Weihenstephan Standards (WS) are communication interfaces for machine data acquisition. Currently libraries have been realised for connecting bottling and packaging plants (WS Pack) and machines for food processing (WS Food) with higher-level systems, such as data acquisition systems (SCADA) or Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). In the Weihenstephan Standards, the physical interface specification, specification of the interface content, recommendations for data evaluation and reporting are defined.
The Weihenstephan Standards 2000 comprise the guidelines for standard BDE specifications for bottling plants; the Weihenstephan Standards 2005 describe the interfaces and data provision for bottling and packaging plants in the beverage industry.