The first stage of our Connected Enterprise Maturity Model assesses a manufacturer’s existing operations technology/information technology (OT/IT) network — uncovering opportunities for operational excellence while identifying potential security risks. But knowing where you are now is only half of the improvement perspective. What should the future state — improved OT/IT — look like?
You’re likely to confront two major issues during this stage:
1. What to upgrade? Companies typically discover a vast number of outdated controls, sensors, and network hardware and software during the assessment stage. We recommend a systematic, phased approach to replacement, because you can’t do everything at once. Priorities for replacement should reflect a range of factors, incorporating both risk exposure analysis and return on investment (ROI) opportunities.
2. Who decides on upgrades? With an “OT/IT” infrastructure, is it OT or IT that manages the change process — and the resulting information systems? Not surprisingly, the best results emerge when OT and IT manage the network and information infrastructure collaboratively.
Rockwell Automation developed an OT/IT management approach with cross-functional teams in workshops. Executives representing various locations and functions evaluate technology options, establish vendor roadmaps, design new business processes and workflows, and create new security policies (authorizations and authentications). They work out their differences in a controlled, virtual environment, rather than fight it out during real operations with real customer orders on the line.
The process helps to surface and resolve conflicts before they impact operations or customers. And it delivers plans acceptable to both OT and IT, and that allow for distributive management of an intelligent infrastructure.
It’s important to remember that these plans — no matter how collaboratively designed — will be executed in real plants by managers and engineers with their own opinions and agendas. Don’t be surprised if these leaders believe that their current systems work just fine and are hesitant to embrace the change.
Remind them that if the network can’t connect to their equipment, they’ll miss out on opportunities that the Internet of Things can bring to their organization. Point out that by connecting devices, you’re better protected from potential security and safety issues — because you can’t secure devices, controls and networks if you can’t account for them via improved visibility.
Remind them, too, that as a more secure network starts to take shape, they’ll have new access to information that they often wanted for intelligent decision-making, but couldn’t get. They can look forward to finally being able to control equipment performance — and productivity — in real time.