Connectivity technologies are essential to realizing the benefits of IT/OT convergence, but success requires collaboration across disciplines and a cultural change.
In recent years, most manufacturers have invested in technologies to integrate their IT and OT systems. By providing connectivity to equipment to easily access data from traditionally siloed OT systems, manufacturers can transform their operations and business models, moving from reactive to predictive operations, reducing unplanned downtime and improving operational efficiency.
Most importantly, the connectivity and data gained when IT and OT systems are integrated is essential for manufacturers to realize the benefits of other technologies and strategies, such as digital twin and Industry 4.0. Such integration enables companies to adopt a data-first approach to decision-making, which allows them to quickly respond to the speed of change.
Ultimately, enterprise connectivity is what enables the transition to digital manufacturing, which allows data to flow across different operational and functional areas. What manufacturers do with that data goes beyond simply exposing it to various groups.
The path to success
Success requires more than technology. It requires collaboration across multiple professions: engineers, data scientists, IT specialists, business analysts, and operations managers. Each discipline can leverage IT/OT convergence to help digitally transform manufacturing.
Examples of the many ways different disciplines can leverage IT/OT convergence to collaborate with others include:
engineer IT/OT convergence allows you to gain a deeper understanding of your manufacturing processes and systems. You can then work with IT specialists to integrate new digital tools and technologies into your existing systems to ensure compatibility and functionality.
Data Scientist Data available through OT connectivity can be analysed to provide insights and optimise processes, and you can then work with engineers to develop algorithms that can make sense of the data generated by the manufacturing process and predict maintenance needs or improve efficiency.
IT Specialist You can better manage your IT infrastructure and more easily implement digital solutions. Then you can work with all departments to ensure your digital tools are well-integrated, secure, and scalable.
Business Analyst With accessible data, you can align your digital transformation projects with your business goals, then work closely with engineers and data scientists to ensure your projects deliver value while translating technical possibilities into business benefits.
Operations Manager IT/OT convergence provides benefits in overseeing day-to-day manufacturing operations and provides actionable insights into the potential implementation of digital solutions on-site, helping to identify areas for improvement.
Project manager They can oversee the implementation of digital transformation projects and coordinate activities between various stakeholders to ensure that projects stay on time, within budget, and achieve their objectives.
Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist Use the data collected and shared to ensure product and process quality, and collaborate with engineers and data scientists to develop and implement digital tools that can monitor and improve product quality in real time.
Human Resources You can manage workforce training and development as new technologies, processes and modes of operation are adopted, ensuring that your workforce has the skills they need to use new digital tools and understand the changes brought about by digital transformation.
reference: The year ahead: trends in digital transformation
Changing the culture of your organization
Many disciplines involved in manufacturing operations can individually benefit from enterprise connectivity capabilities that consolidate data from siloed OT systems and make it accessible to enterprise applications, but to realize the full benefits that integration can bring, manufacturers must develop a collaboration strategy between the various disciplines.
This allows manufacturers to compound individual improvements in different functional areas. In that respect, a collaboration strategy helps create synergy when people from different disciplines can collaborate more easily.
Here are some things manufacturers can do to move from informal collaboration to a more strategic effort:
Building multidisciplinary teams: Assemble a team that includes members from each relevant discipline to ensure all perspectives are considered.
Encourage regular communication: Establish regular meetings and communication channels to discuss progress, challenges, and next steps.
Define a common goal: Set common goals that everyone understands and works towards.
Implementing agile methods: We use agile project management methodologies to allow for flexibility and iterative improvement.
Start cross-training: Encourage cross-training so team members understand the fundamentals of other disciplines and foster better collaboration.
Adopt change management: Implement strong change management practices to help all employees adapt to new technologies and processes.
By fostering collaboration across these diverse roles, manufacturing companies can ensure that their digital transformation projects are comprehensive, well-coordinated, and ultimately successful.
