Development of a procedure to determine the IT-OT integration potential of a manufacturing company

The goal of the research project MarryIT is to support SMEs by a methodically guided survey and potential assessment of their IT-OT integration status. IT-OT integration describes the networking of shop floor systems (OT systems) with office floor systems (IT systems).

Initial situation

For the realization of Industry 4.0, a technological basis in the company is necessary. Thus, the interaction of the various information and value-added technologies, often referred to as cyber-physical systems in this context, is decisive for the success of transformation. For this linkage of objects and processes, a networking of the IT and OT systems is necessary. Companies have recognised this, are already in the planning or even implementation phases of Industry 4.0 applications and are willing to invest accordingly. SMEs face the challenge of using their limited financial and human resources with care. When making investment decisions, estimating the expected costs is made difficult by the lack of transparency of the existing system landscape.

Solution approach

In order to overcome the methodological deficit in the targeted development of the IT-OT landscape in the company, the following steps will be taken in the project:

  1. Description of potential benefits of IT-OT integration and derivation of technical and organisational integration requirements
  2. Development of a morphological profile to record the technological and organisational integration status of each OT system in the company
  3. Classification of the potential benefits in the characteristics of the profile
  4. Derivation and selection of recommendations for action to realise the potential benefits, based on the identified level of integration

Expected result

The intended result of the project is a methodology for the targeted further development of the IT-OT landscape in the company. First of all, the status quo of the landscape is to be determined. Integration targets will then be selected. Based on these goals, measures for the further development of the IT-OT landscape in the company can be derived.

Benefits for the target group

The benefit for the target group lies in the possibility to further develop the IT-OT landscape in the company in a targeted manner. Both the specific conditions in the company and the specific goals of the company can be taken into account.