What’s the point?

Imagine software that lets you know everything that’s happened in your business for a year. Better yet, whether this software shows you which machine has been the most profitable, or how long you’ll have to wait to hire your next employee. By systematizing data collection and analysis, this software intersects and transmits the information you need most. But to get this software needs to connect two worlds that everything opposes: OT and IT

OT/ IT: definition

The world of IT, commonly called, the world of office technology is in charge of information technology; i.e. the corporate, management and communication side. In a small business you could see IT as the entrepreneur and its salesman.

The world of the OT are the ones that could be vulgarly called the world of “technicians”. Controlling the production line, maintenance and industrial computing… In a company it is the engineers and the production managers.

If there are two things that everything opposes in the corporate world today are IT and OT. But in a digital context, OT/IT convergence is a fundamental issue.

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Two fundamentally different worlds

It is a question of bringing the data back from the OT to the IT to have access to the benefits described above but…

Today IT is ultra-secure. The information that passes through it is of paramount importance to the company. In order to avoid industrial espionage, the theft of confidential data or the hacking of databases, cybersecurity is a priority for IT.

On the other hand we have the OT with human-machine interfaces where you only have to enter the password “admin” to connect. Indeed, what is the point of securing the machines? The only people who can access it are the company’s technicians.

By connecting the world of machines to that of computers, we connect them to the internet. But who says connected to the internet, says security flaws.

You will understand that. The challenge of this convergence lies in securing this data transfer. No cybersecurity, no connected industry.

Towards a change in habits

Of course this convergence will involve changing the current architecture of the company. Initially, the means of production will be equipped with sensors to gain access to a wide range of information. In a second phase, the ESM and SCADA software will merge to form one.

That’s the challenge UDS Atom faces. Find out how by clicking here.