The main purpose of this doctoral thesis is to supply users of industrial IT systems with a systematic approach for developing and implementing an openness strategy. The term ìindustrial IT systemsì here refers to computerized systems used for operational support in industrial processes. Focuses have been on the use of IT systems in process industries, manufacturing industries, and industries handling geographically distributed processes, such as electric power transmission networks. During the thesis work, the main emphasis has been on a userís perspective. However, the results should be equally interesting for academical readers, suppliers, and consultants active in the field of study.

The results from the thesis work can be divided into four domains:

1. Technical aspects. Possibilities provided by, and limitations in, the openness of industrial IT systems have been analyzed and presented in a structured way. Limitations in openness may have impact on performance issues, system maintenance and development activities, overall availability, and the possibility to achieve system-wide functionalities.
   
2. User requirements. General guidelines for statement and follow-up of user requirements on industrial IT systems have been worked out. More detailed guidelines concerning requirements on openness have been proposed, with a discussion on the important issue of overall systems responsibility. The presented guidelines take into account the fact that suppliers of industrial IT systems maintain product families, from which systems are combined to fulfill the requirements of different users.
   
3. Strategical choices. A user strategy for open industrial IT systems has been presented. The user choice of openness strategy should depend on, among others, requirements on rationalized operation, maintenance strategy, technical systems responsibility, expected system life cycles, and systems available on the market. The thesis here presents a detailed comparison of traditional procurement and strategic partnership. In some projects, industrial IT systems are procured in conjunction with machines/equipment. Strategical user alternatives concerning supplier relations in such projects have been analyzed and presented.
   
4. Non-traditional research design. Case study theory has been applied in a technical research project. A detailed description of the research design used in this project has been given with lessons learned. This part of the thesis holds the authorís heritage to Ph.D. students and researchers in related fields of study, where traditional, experiment-based, research designs cannot be applied.
   

The thesis further unites the results from these domains, by providing a comprehensive view of openness aspects related to technology, user requirements, and strategical choices. From the authorís perspective, establishing this overall view may be the main contribution of the thesis. It should finally be mentioned that the work resulting in this thesis has relied heavily on the participation of both suppliers and users of industrial IT systems, among others: ABB Industrial Systems, ABB Network Partner, Alfa Laval Automation, ASSI Domän Kraftliner, Comator Process, Gullspångs Kraft, LKAB, Prevas, and Vattenfall.

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Keywords (partly adapted to ESA-irs: COMPENDEX*PLUS, INSPEC): Open system, industrial computer control, control system, information technology, user strategy, requirements engineering, systems procurement, request for proposal, strategic partnership, distributed control system, SCADA system, power system control, CIM, manufacturing industry, process industry.

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