Operational Technology: The Industry of the Future (And why you need OT Engineers) 

We’ve come a long way from early factories, where each step in the process relied on manual energy and physical labor. Today, we need a completely different set of skills.
 

As industrial processes become more automated and the Internet of Things (IoT) transforms modern manufacturing, the field of Operational Technology (OT) will become more important.
 

What is it exactly, and how can you make sure your team has the OT skills needed to reach peak process efficiency? 

More automation in production environments means the line separating Engineering from IT is becoming blurred. As the industry continues improving processes, a new vital discipline has emerged: Operational Technology (OT). This new field is on the cutting edge of IT and Engineering, and it requires both a new mindset and skillset. 

Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT): What’s the difference?  

While the term Operational Technology is somewhat new, the concept has actually been around for longer than Information Technology (IT). It focuses on the physical machines used in manufacturing, and how they interact with digital communication systems to optimize the industrial process. OT has been around since the beginning of electric machinery. 

While Information Technology (IT) focuses on digital systems that process and produce information, Operational Technology (OT) focuses more on digital systems that monitor and manage physical processes, devices, infrastructure and events.

Examples of Operational Technology

Examples of Operational Technology include Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Distributable Control Systems (DCS), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Manufacturing Operations Management Systems (MOMS). 

OT vs IT: The OT Work Field

Operational Technology Engineers are responsible for:

• Improving system and maintenance performance based on availability, reliability and costs
• Ensuring Cyber Security for Operational Technology and Compliance security
• Defining standards, sharing and further developing best practices / innovations
• Providing valuable input for new construction:
• Translation from internal to external requirements and wishes
• Attention to reliability, availability and maintainability
• Handling the release & deployment of new construction and modifications (change management)
• Mobilizing the knowledge and experience of available experts