Data Standardization in OT: Why It Matters for Manufacturers
Sponsored by PTC
In today’s manufacturing world, operational technology (OT) data is the lifeblood that drives automation, predictive maintenance, and digital transformation. However, data from various machines and devices can often be inconsistent, incomplete, or unstructured. These challenges make it difficult for manufacturers to use OT data effectively across their operations. This is where data standardization plays a critical role. By standardizing and normalizing OT data, manufacturers can ensure smoother data flow, improved analytics, and better decision-making.
In this post, we’ll explore:
- Why data standardization is essential for manufacturers
- How it enables better data management
- Why it’s a crucial foundation for unlocking the full potential of OT data
Why Data Standardization Is Critical in OT Environments
1. Improved Data Aggregation and Processing
OT environments often generate massive volumes of data from a variety of machines, sensors, and systems, each with its own data format or protocol. To manage this complexity, industrial connectivity solutions play a crucial role by aggregating data from various sources and converting it into a unified, standardized format. This process not only reduces the strain on networks but also simplifies data processing, making it more efficient and reliable for downstream use.
Without standardization, these diverse datasets can create bottlenecks and inefficiencies in data transmission and analysis.
2. Normalization for Consistency
It’s essential to normalize data to ensure consistency across different systems. When data is collected from various devices—such as PLCs, CNC machines, or sensors—it often comes in different formats, units, or protocols. Normalizing this data allows manufacturers to convert proprietary formats into industry-standard formats, making the data compatible with other systems like MES, SCADA, or ERP. This process ensures seamless integration and more efficient use of data across the organization.
This consistency is essential for generating accurate insights and making informed decisions based on reliable, high-quality data.
3. Enabling Seamless IT/OT Integration
One of the major challenges manufacturers face is achieving seamless integration between OT and IT systems. Without standardized OT data, efficiently exchanging information between these systems becomes difficult. Inconsistent naming conventions, varying units of measurement, and different data types often create barriers to smooth integration, leading to inefficiencies and data silos.
By standardizing OT data, manufacturers enable smoother data exchange between systems like MES, ERP, and SCADA, ensuring that the information flows freely and accurately across the enterprise. This leads to better visibility into production processes and supports real-time decision-making.
4. Data Transformation for Analytics
Data transformation is crucial in OT environments. Industrial devices generate raw data that often needs to be converted into readable units, such as translating sensor signals into temperature or pressure values. This transformation ensures the data becomes actionable and can be effectively used by analytics tools and business intelligence systems, making it valuable for decision-making and process optimization.
Moreover, advanced data transformation, such as performing calculations or applying conditional logic, allows manufacturers to generate new insights from their existing data, leading to better analytics and more strategic decision-making.
5. Time Synchronization for Accurate Event Correlation
Accurate time synchronization in OT data is essential for manufacturers. Synchronized timestamps across all devices are crucial for correlating events and processes. Without proper synchronization, it becomes challenging to accurately track the timing of events, which can lead to misinterpretations and unreliable data analysis.
Time synchronization ensures that all data points are aligned and can be reliably used for reporting and analytics, further enhancing the value of standardized data.
The Benefits of Data Standardization for Manufacturers
- Reduced Downtime: Standardized OT data allows manufacturers to implement predictive maintenance more effectively by providing accurate, real-time information that can be used to identify potential issues before they result in equipment failure.
- Increased Efficiency: Consistent, normalized data facilitates better automation, improves process control, and allows for quicker, more informed decisions on the shop floor.
- Better Compliance and Security: Standardized data simplifies regulatory compliance and ensures that manufacturers can adhere to cybersecurity standards more effectively. With clearer data flows, it’s easier to monitor access and ensure secure data transmission across the organization.
- Scalability for Growth: As manufacturers expand operations, a standardized data approach allows for smoother scaling across new lines, plants, or geographies. Standardized data enables the integration of new machines and devices into existing systems without disrupting workflows.
For manufacturers seeking to unlock the full potential of OT data, data standardization is a vital first step. It ensures data consistency across systems, improves analytics, enhances integration, and supports real-time decision-making. Without a standardized approach, manufacturers risk inefficiencies, data blind spots, and missed opportunities for optimization.
To dive deeper into the best practices for standardizing OT data and ensuring seamless data flow across your manufacturing environment, download PTC’s free eBook, “Unlocking OT Data at Scale.” Inside, you’ll discover actionable strategies for overcoming data challenges and setting up your business for success with secure, scalable OT connectivity.
Additional Resources
The Connectivity Journey
Industrial connectivity is top of mind for manufacturing leaders because it brings IT and OT visibility to industrial data that is critical to meet digital transformation requirements. Start your journey with this guide. Download Now
Webinar: Standardizing Industrial Connectivity with Kepware
Discover how Kepware has evolved from a point solution into a robust enterprise solution that can help you access and manage OT data at scale in this webinar. Watch Now
IT/OT Convergence’s Achilles Heel: OT Security
Ensuring OT security allows for greater confidence when converging IT and OT systems. That, in turn, allows industrial organizations to achieve greater efficiency and enables innovation. Read More