A device-type in HsM serves as the fundamental blueprint for digital twins of a particular group of physically produced devices. Just as a car model (like a Toyota Corolla) represents a specific design and function within a brand's lineup, a device-type represents a specific category and features within HsM.

Amongst other things, a device-type defines the framework for a device by specifying placeholders for components, indicating which component-types can be integrated. Each physical device of a specific device-type may be produced with different components from the outset, and those components can also be replaced with others of other component-types at a later stage. As a result, the physical, electronic, and digital characteristics of a device are determined by the actual components used, meaning they are not necessarily fixed or derivable solely from the device-type.

When a digital twin is created in the Digital Twin Service the device-type of that digital twin is set and is immutable thereafter.

Device-types are not sales items, as multiple sales items can actually represent the same device-type.

The device-type Id is not printed on devices but can only be inferred via the Digital Twin Service using an identifying characteristic of a component of the device.

Table 3:  Attributes of device-type stored with the Catalog Service