The "Make vs Buy" Question for I4.0 Solutions

The fireside chat also produced a very interesting conversation around the challenges and considerations involved in merging operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) data. Jason Coope shared his experiences from his time in the steel industry, highlighting the difficulties faced in connecting various systems due to compliance and security concerns- particularly the importance of clearly defining which data is sensitive and must remain isolated, particularly financial information. The speaker also mentions the potential benefits of using Business Intelligence (BI) tools to enhance data analysis while keeping sensitive financial data separate. The need for a careful balance between OT and IT data integration, ensuring compliance and security while optimizing data analysis and reporting in a manufacturing context is key to help manufacturers answer the “make versus Buy” question.