IT and OT convergence

IT and OT have always been at odds, and with the push to digital transformation, the roles have overlapped even more, causing more friction. OT is traditionally focused on controlling and monitoring processes in the enterprise, such as in the warehouse or factory shop floor, where they deal with a heterogeneous environment consisting of different types of equipment and devices. IT, on the other hand, deals with a more homogeneous environment of systems and the management of the same.

It is often said IT is about the business, while OT is the business. Security, organizational siloes, and cultural barriers notwithstanding, IT and OT need to work together for the good of the company, especially in this era of digital transformation. For a business to drive efficiency, make productivity gains, and eventually increase profitability, there needs to be IT and OT convergence. In an edge computing paradigm, IT and OT should be the yin and yang of a business. See Figure...