Exploring the transformative potential of IT/OT convergence in manufacturing
Sustainability efforts, workforce shortages and increased competition are gripping the manufacturing industry worldwide—and companies are searching for a comprehensive solution to keep their operations running seamlessly despite these global challenges. In a recent article for engineering.com, Rahul Garg, Vice President for Industrial Machinery and SMB at Siemens Digital Industries Software shares his industry expertise on how IT/OT convergence is revolutionizing manufacturing. From improved operations to enabling closed-loop quality, the fusion of IT and OT is set to vastly enhance the landscape of manufacturing to keep pace with modern pressures.
Providing better operations
In his article, Rahul highlights how the convergence of IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology, can work in unison to reveal areas of improvement in the factory such as:
- Using IT to analyze OT data to pinpoint where inefficiencies may be hindering factory performance
- Providing increased supply chain transparency so factory operators can prepare for unexpected disruptions
- Real time machine monitoring to reduce waste and energy consumption—making factories more sustainable than ever before
Beyond mere operational enhancements, IT/OT convergence unlocks a plethora of benefits that extend throughout the manufacturing ecosystem. By amalgamating data insights from both IT and OT realms, manufacturers can also refine product designs and synchronize production, resulting in significant cost efficiencies, accelerated manufacturing and heightened precision.
This iterative process ensures alignment between envisioned and actualized product states, facilitated by continuous monitoring of quality conditions and design adjustments. This process empowers manufacturers to streamline production and move towards greater autonomy in operations, ultimately driving innovation and collaboration across the manufacturing industry.
However, as industries embrace IT/OT convergence, they must also address security concerns that inevitably attach themselves to increased complexity and interconnectedness. Rahul emphasizes the vulnerabilities of legacy OT systems which run on outdated hardware. This underscores the necessity of a holistic security strategy to combat threats. Moreover, fostering an open communication between IT and OT workers is crucial for exchanging best practices and maintaining security compliance, ensuring threats are kept to a minimum. Despite these challenges, IT/OT convergence promises a bright future for manufacturing, offering solutions to contemporary issues.
For a deeper dive into the IT/OT convergence conversation, read the full article here.
