Why IT’s Next Challenge Isn’t in the Cloud
IT and operational technology (OT) were never built to work together. One manages information, the other runs machines. They speak different languages, follow different rhythms and solve different problems. But now they’re being forced into the same room, thanks to digital transformation, real-time data demands and increasing pressure to streamline operations.
This is an architectural challenge disguised as a collaboration problem.
Merging the deeply embedded world of OT systems with the fast-moving, cloud-first mentality of IT often creates more friction than flow. Legacy devices clash with modern protocols, and teams disagree on priorities. That’s why most IT/OT convergence efforts never reach the finish line.
Edge computing gives both teams what they need to finally work as one.
Edge platforms are helping organizations overcome the five biggest barriers to IT/OT convergence, from data overload to operational misalignment. And if you’re ready to go deeper, this white paper maps out the full playbook for unifying IT and OT, starting with the tech stack.
5 Key Challenges of IT/OT Convergence
Most organizations are still transitioning between traditional, siloed operations and the full convergence of IT and OT. Research cited by Penguin Solutions shows that approximately 80% have started integrating IT and OT systems but haven’t made it across the finish line.
Two important insights can be extrapolated from this data point. First, there is widespread recognition of the importance of converging IT and OT operations. Second, convergence is difficult to implement for these five reasons:
- Integration: Because IT and OT systems were traditionally independent of each other, they used different architectures and technologies. Merging them introduces significant technical challenges, such as compatibility issues between legacy OT systems and modern IT solutions and operational risks.
- Data management: IT/OT convergence generates large amounts of data from industrial equipment, networks and devices. Successful management of this data requires addressing volume, velocity and variety. OT data is typically high-volume and real-time, while IT data comes from diverse sources and may not always require immediate processing. Data silos need to be avoided in both IT and OT systems, and governance and compliance frameworks must be established across these two domains.
- Cybersecurity: Convergence increases the attack surface, which in turn increases the risk of successful cyberattacks. Unlike IT teams, OT teams run operations on legacy hardware and software, which are naturally more vulnerable to exploitation.
- Operational disruptions: IT and OT teams approach system maintenance differently. IT teams use systems that can be managed and updated remotely, while OT teams focus on meeting production goals. Coordinating to avoid disrupting operations can be challenging.
- Workforce and organizational gaps: IT and OT teams have different approaches and priorities, which can lead to conflict and make collaboration more difficult. Professionals with this type of cross-domain expertise are hard to find.
With this in mind, it’s easy to see why 8 out of 10 organizations have not completed their IT/OT convergence efforts. One promising approach to overcoming these challenges is the adoption of edge computing.
How the Edge Addresses IT/OT Convergence Challenges
Edge computing platforms process data closer to its source rather than relying on centralized servers or remote cloud infrastructure. This reduces latency and bandwidth usage, while also improving security, manageability and reliability in environments where IT and OT converge.
Put differently, edge computing is a distributed computing model, so the actual computing takes place in the proximity of the physical location where data is being generated. This allows organizations to collect and analyze data in real time and make decisions accordingly. Being able to react quickly and keep data on-site also reduces risks associated with data transfer and lowers bandwidth costs, as there is no need to send all data to a remote server.
Penguin advises that edge computing addresses the challenges associated with implementing IT/OT convergence in the following four areas.
1. IT Landing Zone in the OT Environment
Edge computing solutions address a major challenge that IT teams face when operating in what is usually an unfamiliar environment — they provide a landing zone (or a standardized platform) that allows IT managers to apply their own standards and protocols to applications without disrupting OT processes.
Edge computing helps IT teams cut down on infrastructure bloat. Instead of managing multiple scattered systems, they can consolidate applications and workloads onto a single platform. The reliance on local computing, meanwhile, reduces the need for communication with centralized servers and leads to smoother health monitoring. This translates to fewer resources wasted, more efficient operations and reduced costs.
2. Fault Tolerance
Downtime and disruptions are bad news for every business, but especially for IT and OT teams, both of which rely on stable, always-on systems to keep operations running. In IT environments, outages mean data loss and security risks. In OT environments, even a brief disruption can halt production and drive up operational costs.
Implementing a fault-tolerant edge computing platform helps mitigate these risks by ensuring that critical operations continue when there is a malfunction. With built-in redundancy and automated failover, critical applications can instantly switch to a backup system and resume running, preventing downtime without the need for human intervention.
3. Simplified Manageability and Serviceability
One of the biggest challenges in IT/OT convergence is system management and maintenance. With edge computing, it’s not difficult to integrate existing IT technologies into the OT environment and manage them remotely, so IT teams don’t have to be physically present at the location.
Applications can be deployed, patched and scaled at the edge, and IT monitoring tools can run on edge computing platforms. This allows IT teams to track system performance, detect potential issues and apply the necessary updates without disrupting OT operations. This all contributes to reduced downtime and greater efficiency.
4. Legacy Infrastructure Modernization
IT solutions are updated regularly, but that is not really the case with OT systems. The legacy infrastructure that underpins OT environments often remains in place for years and is difficult to update, which is another major challenge organizations have to tackle in order to stay competitive.
While legacy OT systems are crucial for stable, reliable operations, modernizing them is important for meeting the growing demands of efficiency, security and real-time data. Edge computing provides a practical solution to this problem by enabling businesses to modernize their OT infrastructure without committing to a complete overhaul.
By integrating edge computing, IT and OT teams can extend the lifespan of existing systems, gain access to real-time monitoring and improve security. This approach helps IT and OT teams work together effectively, each addressing their unique challenges while building a unified path forward that benefits the organization as a whole.
Leverage Edge Computing for IT/OT Convergence
The separation between IT and OT is no longer practical. Both teams are now being asked to support systems that demand real-time data, constant uptime and remote access. Many aren’t equipped for that shift.
The Stratus ztC Endurance platform was built with these conditions in mind. It delivers continuous availability for mission-critical applications, achieving 99.99999% uptime through predictive fault tolerance and automated failover. That means operations keep running even when hardware fails, with no need for on-site intervention.
For teams stretched across multiple sites or dealing with limited IT resources, the platform offers remote manageability and modular serviceability. It consolidates workloads, supports high-security standards and runs well in environments where traditional infrastructure doesn’t.
To learn more about how edge computing bridges IT and OT to accelerate shared initiatives, download “Edge Computing Bridges IT and OT People, Process and Technology” and discover how your organization can overcome convergence challenges, improve efficiency and stay ahead of the competition.
