The historic differences between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are quickly dissolving, giving way to the increased interconnectivity essential to Industry 4.0 and industrial IoT (IIoT) technologies. Learn about the differences between IT and OT as well as the benefits and challenges elicited by IT/OT convergence.
Information Technology & Operational Technology
Information technology (IT) generates, collects, stores, manipulates, analyzes, and delivers data within and between organizations via computing, networking, and storage technologies. IT is characterized by the ability to be programmed and reprogrammed to meet the needs of various users, applications, and networks and includes both hardware and software solutions. Examples of IT hardware include computers and networking equipment, such as switches, servers, routers, firewalls, storage arrays, and backup devices. IT software examples can include programs like spreadsheets and databases as well as operating, business intelligence (BI), enterprise resource planning, customer relationship management, and manufacturing execution systems.
Operational technology (OT) monitors, processes, relays information about, and controls physical processes in industrial workflows via computing, networking, and storage technologies. Like IT, OT also includes hardware and software solutions. However, unlike IT, which is more flexible and programmable, OT is often designed to perform a specific task, such as monitor mechanical performance, control heat, or trigger emergency shutoffs. OT examples extend from simple applications like location tracking sensors to more complex applications, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and distributed control, computer numerical control, industrial control, and building automation systems. For example, OT can control the amount of electricity stored in a battery, the amount of liquid pumped through a pumping system, and HVAC fan speed. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems used to collect and evaluate industrial equipment data, optimize operational efficiency, and minimize downtime are just one example of OT in complex industrial control systems.
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