IT/OT convergence helps companies measure and manage productivity in new ways. Data available from the IoT in manufacturing, for example, improves decision making and machine performance. Integrated automation and information opens the door to new productivity-enhancing innovations, including self-aware equipment and collaborative robots.
A modernization strategy is about more than IT/OT convergence or equipment upgrades. It is about development of a roadmap that addresses all aspects of your operation. It is also about preparation for inevitable technology advances and business changes.
Consider some of the ways companies approach modernization to increase productivity:
We also modernized our manufacturing operations as part of our own connected enterprise journey, and integrated automation and information into a connected system. We used the latest MES and EMI software to bring information from hundreds of applications into one central location. Our productivity has increased since the new system was implemented.
What happens when organizations bridge the gap between plant-floor and enterprise systems? They understand their business better, cut down on downtime, and reach productivity levels that were not possible otherwise. Innovative companies already show what is possible. See how.
IT/OT convergence bridges the gap between not only plant-floor and enterprise systems, but also between individual devices. For this reason, automation and control systems are built with devices that are seamlessly integrated rather than a collection of individual products.
Technologies that are designed to help build integrated and efficient industrial automation systems include:
A seamless flow of information can only happen with a secure and reliable network architecture. Organizations that deploy a single network architecture on standard Ethernet and IP can help get the right data to the right worker, place, and time. This approach can drive productivity on the plant floor and across the enterprise.
To plan for IT/OT convergence, it is critical to understand the many complexities involved. In collaboration with our strategic alliance partners, we can help you navigate this process. With Cisco, we can help you converge and simplify your network architecture, close cultural and technical gaps, and train workers. With Panduit, we offer guidance and preconfigured solutions that can help you reduce risk, enhance operational performance, improve reliability, and simplify network implementations.
Leveraging a higher level of manufacturing connectivity and data integration offers significant gains in productivity. This Industry Week Whitepaper Explains Why.
Download the Manufacturing Connectivity and Data Integration Whitepaper
All it takes is increased visibility and better decision-making.
Similar to other manufacturers with large product portfolios and a global manufacturing presence, we used a wide range of manufacturing processes at our different plants. Each plant also ran its own enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, with none of them talking to each other, while also using custom applications that monitored and analyzed machine data in different ways.
To combat this and other challenges, we have implemented and continue to deploy, The Connected Enterprise across all of our plants. Through the implementation to date, we have experienced numerous improvements.
Research by the Aberdeen Group proves that you can improve productivity without compromising safety and thus reduce the risk of safety breaches which can destroy brand reputations, shareholder value – and even lives.
Best-in-Class manufacturers are also 43% more likely to have a centralised view of the data from their safety and plant automation systems.
This Analyst Insight from Aberdeen Group outlines the four key steps your enterprise can take to match the success of the Best-in-Class.