The Challenge

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In today’s manufacturing landscape, IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) often operate separately, which can hinder collaboration essential for Industry 4.0. IT manages business systems like finance and analytics, while OT focuses on production systems critical for quality and compliance. Misalignment between these teams can affect productivity and safety. A common reason converging the two fields can be challenging is that the IT and OT do not understand each other and more importantly, there might not be people involved that understand both to be able to bridge the gap.

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IT-OT Differing Requirements Result in Misalignment

Due to the fact that IT and OT typically have been operating as nearly separate business entities within a manufacturing organization, their functional requirements and way of operation are different. Differences include the following:

• Different Tech Stacks: IT uses flexible, cloud-based environments, while OT relies on specialized, industrial systems like SCADA and PLCs with strict compatibility requirements.
• Divergent Priorities: IT values frequent updates for security and functionality, whereas OT prioritizes stability and uptime, typically all updates require strict reviews since they could interrupt production.
• Distinct Management Approaches: IT downtime can often be tolerated, while OT downtime directly impacts manufacturing output.
• Security vs. Reliability: IT’s cybersecurity requirements can be difficult to align with OT’s need for uninterrupted operation, creating conflicts in how to best protect systems.

Bridging The Gap Between OT and IT Requires Professionals Who Understand Both

The best way to support converging IT and OT, is to bring in expertise that understands both fields. This might not just be one person but teams who support Industry 4.0 initiatives. They would be able to help with the following:

• Finding the appropriate balance between security at IT levels and operational requirements at OT levels.
• Architecting the best approaches to integrate the two tech stacks.
• Align goals for both IT and OT teams so they are cohesive and support each other.
• Craft a long term Industry 4.0 plan with both the IT and OT teams along with the manufacturing business stakeholders.

In Conclusion

Manufacturers for years have had IT and OT in separate dissociated business units. This resulted in a lack of understanding between the two groups. However, their convergence is essential for Industry 4.0. Leaning on professionals with both IT and OT expertise is essential to ensure convergence runs smoothly. They can align goals to create integrated, resilient operations. Importantly, convergence and Industry 4.0 is not a one-time project. They require a shift in mindset toward ongoing collaboration and data-sharing to support advanced technologies.

Help Is Here

‍FactoryStack was purpose built by 4IR Solutions with the needs of manufacturers in mind. Our unique combination of factory-floor know-how and modern, Cloud-based architectures allows for same-day adoption of Cloud technologies without needing to worry about loss of data or a degraded user experience if plant-level Internet connectivity goes down.
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Let our decades of expertise lead you on your journey. To learn more, or to schedule a call with an expert from 4IR Solutions, please click here: https://www.4ir.cloud/contact.