How to Unify IT and OT with Open Source Edge Solutions

The manufacturing sector stands to massively benefit from IT/OT convergence.

Information Technology (IT) systems handle data processing, storage and communication, while Operational Technology (OT) systems manage physical processes and machinery. The integration of IT and OT drives operational efficiency and opens up new paths for innovation. 

The challenge lies in how to unify these two domains to create a seamless, efficient and secure manufacturing environment. This blog explores how open source edge solutions can help manufacturing companies achieve this integration, addressing key challenges and leveraging convergence for future-ready factories.

Open source edge solutions enhance interoperability

Interoperability is the cornerstone of modern manufacturing. It ensures that different systems and devices can communicate and work together seamlessly. However, many manufacturing companies struggle with legacy systems that are not designed to talk to newer technologies. This can lead to data silos, inefficiencies and missed opportunities for optimization.

Open source edge solutions offer a powerful way to bridge this gap. By deploying edge devices that are compatible with many different protocols and standards, manufacturers can create a unified network where IT and OT systems can communicate effectively. For example, an edge device can collect data from sensors on the factory floor and send it to a central IT system for analysis, enabling real-time monitoring and control.

Enhanced security practices across all devices and locations

Connecting IT and OT improves data insights, but introduces new threats to cybersecurity and operational resiliency. Teams need new approaches to improve safety and facilities’ overall security posture, while at the same time maintaining compliance with complex regulations governing data, people and product protections.

The right edge computing solution ensures security across your IT and edge devices. By processing data locally, edge devices can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network, minimizing the risk of data breaches. Open source edge solutions also provide real-time monitoring and threat detection, allowing manufacturers to respond quickly to potential security incidents. This is particularly important in remote locations where network connectivity might be limited.

Ensuring operational continuity in remote environments

Manufacturing operations often span multiple locations, including remote sites with limited connectivity. Maintaining operations in these areas can be challenging, as network outages can disrupt data flow and production processes. 

This is even more complicated with IT/OT convergence: when IT systems rely on OT data for real-time insights and control, and OT processes are increasingly monitored and managed through IT infrastructure, any disruption can have huge ripple effects.

Edge computing helps here. It lets machines on the ground process data and make decisions on their own, even if the main network goes down. Think of a robot arm that keeps working and flags issues locally, without relying on a central data center. Open source flexibility and interoperability creates localized resilience and ensures that the benefits of IT/OT convergence – such as predictive maintenance and automated adjustments – remain functional and reliable.

Scalability and flexibility with open source edge solutions

Factories today need to be able to scale up or down based on demand. Traditional IT and OT infrastructure can be rigid and costly to modify, making it difficult to adapt to changing business needs. Edge computing for manufacturing offers a flexible alternative.

With an open source edge platform, you can easily add new factory floor devices and their data to your computer systems without needing huge system overhauls. This scalability allows companies to grow their operations efficiently and cost-effectively. For example, if a new production line is added, edge devices can be quickly put in place to support it. 

Open source standards like Project Margo’s make these connections easier, letting your IT and OT teams integrate different tech much more smoothly. You can also manage these edge tools easily across all your locations, giving you the flexibility to adjust as needed.

How SUSE Edge solutions can unify your IT and OT operations

Open source, flexible edge solutions open more choices to manufacturers, and modernize operations through unified IT and OT.

SUSE Edge solutions are specifically designed to bridge the IT/OT gap using the flexibility and interoperability of open source technologies, like Linux and Kubernetes.

SUSE Edge empowers IT/OT unification with:

• Open communication across systems: Built on open standards, SUSE Edge enables seamless communication between diverse IT systems and a wide range of OT devices and protocols. This eliminates data silos and ensures smooth data flow, a cornerstone of IT/OT convergence.
• Real-time insights: SUSE Edge processes OT data locally, providing immediate insights that can be readily integrated into IT analytics platforms. This unified view of operational data empowers better, faster decision-making across both IT and OT domains.
• Secure convergence: SUSE Edge incorporates robust, open source security features to protect your increasingly interconnected IT and OT environment. Real-time monitoring and threat detection across all endpoints help maintain the integrity and availability of both operational and informational systems.
• Consistent operations, regardless of location: SUSE Edge allows for consistent deployment and management across various environments, including remote locations with limited connectivity. Local processing ensures OT operations continue uninterrupted, while data can be securely synchronized with central IT systems when connectivity is restored.
• Scalable and adaptable integration: Based on open source principles, SUSE Edge offers the flexibility to integrate new OT devices and scale your infrastructure as needed without vendor lock-in. This adaptability simplifies the evolution of your unified IT/OT environment, allowing you to adopt new technologies seamlessly.

SUSE Edge harnesses the power of open source to provide a unified platform that breaks down the traditional barriers between IT and OT. This integration leads to enhanced efficiency, improved insights, stronger security, and greater agility for manufacturers.

To explore how SUSE Edge and the power of open source can help you achieve true IT/OT unification, download our white paper, “Future-Ready Manufacturing: Gain the Edge Advantage.”