The role of IT/OT stakeholders
With this first blog on Technology Ecosystem series in a manufacturing environmentIn this section, I'll briefly describe the main layers of technology architecture, to help situate the major components of a standard ecosystem. More specifically, I'll explain the distinction between the operational and information technology layers, and I'll paint an ideal picture of the various people responsible for the technology ecosystem.
Operational Technologies (OT)
IoT encompasses all systems, both software and hardware, that focus on the control and automation of production equipment. This includes elements such as sensors, actuators, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robots and industrial control systems (SCADA, HMI). Their main aim is to maximize efficiency, productivity and product quality, while reducing operating costs by automating low-value-added tasks. Usually hosted locally on a highly secure, externally isolated IoT network, these systems are increasingly integrated by production equipment suppliers at the point of delivery. However, they may require adjustments by the customer for optimal integration and to meet specific requirements.
Information Technology (IT)
On the other hand, IT technologies generally encompass systems that facilitate production planning, maintenance management, inventory control and product traceability, raw materials purchasing management, operations support, finished goods warehousing management, and the monitoring of environmental, quality and health & safety issues. They also play a crucial role in decision-making to maximize productivity. These systems can be hosted locally (on-premise), but are increasingly available in cloud-based versions (SaaS or software as a service on a Cloud). Many large organizations are still reluctant to make the switch, mainly due to migration costs and data security issues.
The importance of integration between IT and OT
Although the boundary between IT and OT is not always clearly defined, it is important that experts in both fields work closely together to ensure seamless integration. Companies that succeed in achieving this complete synergy between the two layers benefit from a considerably improved return on investment. It is at this point that we can truly speak of an effective and successful 4.0 strategy or digital transformation. Too many organizations operate a multitude of systems in parallel without regard for the uniformity and power of complete integration. This is a symptom of a lack of collaboration between the various system stakeholders, and of a systemic vision of the technological ecosystem. A good practice for correcting this symptom is to clarify who is responsible for what among the various stakeholders. Generally speaking, we expect to find the following people in charge:
- The system owner (business owner) and the system expert (subject matter expert) : In a medium-sized organization, it's usually the same person or team who takes on both roles. They are responsible for defining business requirements, mastering system operation, and training and supporting users in functionality. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to clarify this crucial role and entrust it to competent internal resources.
- The TI Group : They are the guardians of integration, standardization, security and user experience. The IT group should be involved in all phases of system acquisition or modification, such as requirements definition, market research, programming, integration, operation and support. This group is expected to be expert in the IT domain (mainly the container), but not in business and manufacturing processes (mainly the content).
- The OT group : They are primarily responsible for specifying, configuring, programming and supporting the various operational technology systems used in manufacturing processes. They are often part of the engineering team, and must be in constant communication with the production team.
Let's face it, not all organizations necessarily have the size or resources to form these groups internally. However, I strongly recommend that these organizations consider hiring an external IT expert who can represent and guide them on their journey to successful digital transformation.
