IT/OT convergence just got accelerated with the recent AI boom. With 87% of industrial leaders1 seeing a transformative impact on their operations, the need for an everything-connected solution isn’t just a necessity but a competitive advantage.
87% of industrial leaders1 seeing a transformative impact on their operations
As businesses transition their operations and processes to industry 4.0 strategies, IT/OT bridges the gaps between IT and operations teams. Beyond connecting teams, IT/OT convergence creates a digital twin of operational technologies.
OT stands for operational technology, a combination of software and hardware management and control systems for HMIs, PLCs, sensors, servers, machine data, IoT, and so much more. Essentially, connecting physical assets to an app a mobile worker can use.
With convergence, physical machines that were once disconnected from business systems can now be operated and tracked remotely. Enabling real-time data-driven insights and control for operators.
Building a virtual factory environment enables smart manufacturing and greater precision for plant leaders and their teams. Digitizing the manufacturing process empowers operators with greater control over their costs and output.
40% of new HMI setups1 include AI and machine learning
Often overlooked, logistics equally benefits from IT/OT convergence. With over 20+ possible IoT devices in a vehicle, operational and maintenance teams can leverage deep insights into fleet performance and vehicle health.
Beyond safety and compliance, vehicle IoT enables maintenance teams to troubleshoot issues immediately and perform total preventative maintenance, so your drivers don’t lose hours and fleet operations aren’t affected.
The tablets in your fleets can do more than log hours and navigation. They can act as the brains of the vehicle with the right solution, and report back to headquarters.
The surge in demand for designing energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings and greater adoption of building automation drive the growth of building IT/OT systems.
Infrastructure and real estate incorporate smart devices like, NEST, automated power distribution, smart panels, CCTV, and other IoT. As buildings and facilities get “smarter” and automated, IT/OT systems play a key role in managing systems for:
The recipe for successful BMS deployments consists of three foundational ingredients:
Can outdated analog systems be incorporated into BMS software?
The short answer is yes and no. It may be more cost-effective to replace outdated hardware systems with new IoT devices. If you’re planning to deploy new facilities and are looking to incorporate BMS, give us a call. We can help with your deployment.
23% have achieved more than a basic level of IT and OT convergence3
While the benefits of an IT/OT system may seem obvious to IT teams, only 23% have achieved more than a basic level of IT and OT convergence3. IT infrastructure is essential to get the most out of IT/OT systems and perform predictive, prescriptive, and some AI functions.
Wired, wireless, satellite, and even no internet, we work with connectivity partners nationwide to deploy at static sites, mobile locations, and remote. Ask us about our connectivity options.
Aside from the obvious benefits of lower costs, greater efficiencies, and productivity gains, convergence has a greater transformative impact.
Cybersecurity is vital to ensuring critical systems at the plant or factory floor are secure. Aside from having secure networking devices and cybersecurity software, extra layers of protection can help like:
Like all systems deployments, security and who should have access should always be a top priority. We, the humans, are oftentimes the source of a security breach.
Thank you for making it this far! We work with the major IT/OT software providers in monitoring, safety, ERP, SCADA, MES, and more. If you have an IT/OT project in the works or are planning to deploy one, we can help.
1 Virtue market research
2 Fortune business insights
3 The manufacturer
4 Department of Energy
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