Blog

Introduction In a previous blog, I introduced Operational Technology (OT) which focuses on the technologies used to monitor and control physical processes and industrial assets. That article also explored the key differences between OT and Information Technology (IT) environments. From an operational perspective, all organisations should have plans in place to ensure Service Continuity in the event of disruptions that impact normal operations. Operational disturbances can occur for many reasons and may interrupt the smooth running of an asset. If not managed correctly, these incidents can quickly escalate into larger operational or safety issues. In some cases, the disruption may be severe enough to force a shutdown of op...

Introduction Dashboards are used both in IT and OT (Operational Technology) domains and across all industries. They have become commonplace and for many are a critical productivity tool. We’ll discuss why and explore them through a couple of case study examples that showcase what they can offer and why they are such a valuable digital solution for many roles within an organisation. Why the need? Dashboards can be effective productivity enhancement tool. If designed well, this information that can be easily accessed to make data-driven decisions swiftly and accurately. A common way to capture and present the information is in the form of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPIs are a quantifiable measure of perfor...

What are Digital Twins? Digital Twins are a digital replica of a physical asset or process and are used to simulate real-time or near real-time behaviour. This can range from the whole asset to just a much smaller scope size such as a single piece of equipment. Digital Twins are developed from a combination of IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) and use real-time data from the physical asset to replicate and simulate real-life activity and their outcomes. Through the collection of real time data via sensors and via data management solutions (e.g. data historians), a digital model can be developed and maintained to provide a virtual replica of the physical asset. As well the physical attributes (such as...

What is Operational Technology? Operational Technology (OT) are the computing and communication systems used to monitor, control, and manage physical processes and machinery in several industrial sectors that include Oil & Gas, Automotive and Manufacturing. This includes both hardware and software systems. This will include machinery, monitoring systems and control systems. Some examples of Operational Technology are: Oil & Gas: Industrial Control Systems (ICS) - includes Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Automotive: Automated Assembly Line in the manufacturing process of vehicles. Manufacturing: Internet of Things (IoT) technology allows ma...

Many organisations are looking to transform their enterprises with digital solutions. A question to senior leadership and executives in each organisation is how much are you using applications such as Microsoft Excel and Access to run your business? The reality is that a lot of businesses still rely heavily on applications like these to manipulate data, create reports and make business decisions. These poor practices such as the heavy reliance on standalone applications also highlight poor data management practices where the manual processing of data is still commonplace in businesses.     “It’s not optimal, but we’re getting by”   This outdated modus operandi is a clear indicator that there are maturity gaps in im...

In many organisations digital solutions are deployed to improve operational effectiveness and to promote better ways of working. Eliminating outdated and inefficient processes and utilising new technologies allowing greater collaboration, automated workflows, and faster access to business data are some of the benefits that can be achieved. What is often over-looked until it becomes an issue are the challenges of integrating solutions into old technology and old processes. The 2019 State of Ecosystem and Application Integration Report says that poor integration could cost organisations up to $500K a year. These losses result from operational inefficiencies through lost orders, missed SLAs and lost revenue opportunities. Challeng...

  The Data Historian is a time-stamped database that stores Real-Time operational data that can be accessed and used for a wide range of purposes such as visualisation, event tracking, production reporting, and consumption by other systems for Advanced Analytics and Asset Performance Management. Market Research Future ® report that The Global Data Historian market is estimated to reach USD 1.4 Billion by 2024. With the onset of new and disruptive technologies, data lies at the heart of these transformation initiatives. With improved computing and network infrastructure the demand for data has grown increasing the importance and value of a data/industrial historian in Data Management.   Operational Excellence opportunities O...

Data is at the core of every business and how organisations maintain, govern, and store their data will either hinder or fast-track their efforts to reshape their business models by harnessing the immense potential of data. With the many changes taking place to respond to our changing current working practices lieu of the worldwide pandemic, there also lies the opportunity for a Data Management review to fully harness the benefits that digital solutions can provide to improve your operations and business performance.   Taking a time out to rethink your current strategy   Much like in several sports like basketball, a time out allows us to take stock and modify our current strategy. A review of your current data management st...

COVID-19 is having a profound impact on all our lives personally and professionally, from the need to stay at home to minimise the spread of the disease, to the limiting of social contact to minimise the spread. There is now a gradual easing of restrictions in lieu of a vaccine, to try and ensure a safe return to anywhere near how our lives were before the outbreak of the pandemic. What we do not know at present is the speed at which we will be able to return to the same levels of activity levels before the pandemic.   What is the immediate impact to our working practices? The challenge of this gradual ramp up is that for many of us we cannot carry out our everyday work activities in the same way as we did before the outbreak. For...