How are your OT Networks performing?

28/10/2024

Let’s start with an analogy: A train cannot run without tracks, right?

One needs the other, and those tracks need robust design and continual maintenance to ensure there are no stoppages, that cargo must get to its destination in one piece, and on time. 

When expanding a rail network, there will be factors that will impact timely delivery, factors like weather,  weight and complexity of cargo, regardless of the stoppages those new stations will have on overall performance. 

Train tracks are like Industrial Networks. It’s a simple analogy, I like to envisage packets of data chugging across a data network as people/parcels/cargo do on trains, getting to where they need to be to complete the tasks they need to do. 

Both need to perform at their optimal capabilities, and failure to do so impacts everybody and everything that is connected to them. When designed and maintained correctly, that impact can be proactively managed, resulting in network performance utopia!  

Without quality strategic upfront design your OT Network can only fail. OT Networks require that same focus, every load, every change needs to be monitored and understood to ensure optimal uptime.  

It’s never been more important for manufacturers to optimise performance across their industrial network.  

It’s imperative that OT Networks deliver stable and secure data to the business whilst ensuring reliability of network components, identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies before it slows or stops valuable production time.  


Why look at Industrial Network improvements? 

Improving your industrial network can greatly enhance your company’s operations. Key benefits include: 

  1. Increased Productivity: Reduced downtime, faster communication, and real-time data access streamline processes and optimise output
  2. Improved Safety & Security: Enhanced cybersecurity and monitoring ensure system protection and worker safety
  3. Scalability: Modern networks support future growth and the integration of new technologies like IoT and automation
  4. Cost Savings: Reduced maintenance, energy efficiency, and lower operational costs result from better system control and automation
  5. Data-Driven Insights: Advanced data analytics enable predictive maintenance and optimised decision-making
  6. Higher Customer Satisfaction: Better product quality and quicker response times improve reliability and client trust
  7. Compliance: Simplified monitoring and reporting ensure adherence to regulatory requirements

Stay competitive, efficient, and secure in today’s fast-paced industrial landscape. 


What does Industrial Network excellence look like? 

We are here to help you consider the wider picture and the effect new projects could have on your existing industrial network.  

Our engineering services team are available to complete a full network health check with documentation to show status of  your network and give a baseline for future network validation 

Benchmarking where you are at the start is a dynamic action to uncover potential areas of concern that could impact the roll out new kit on the network.  

Utilising independent industry professionals to complete network heath checks ensures continual compliance regarding data protection and operational standards 

Audits also help to foster trust with stakeholders. Completing this with industry professionals cements that trust even more.   


What do you need to consider? 

What happens if the Industrial Network audit shows areas of concern, or at least, show areas that could be of concern in the future due to potential migrations strategies or obsolesce roadmaps you already have in place? 

Perhaps you’re not quite there yet,  it could be your OT network is at its end of life and you need advice on what happens next? 

What does the future hold and where do you need to invest and when?

This is where we partner with you through any changes required. Our in-house Profibus certified engineers can:  

  • Re-design your network, 
  • Implement required changes, and 
  • Improve your Industrial Network 

Then it’s down to you to lead on how you map the ongoing management of your OT network, will this be a scope of work that you would like to complete every few years, or would you like to take a proactive approach and invest in this as an ongoing service to you? 


Managing Performance 

We offer a network health check as an option with our Support Contract, aligning with your obsolescence report.  

When we start our relationship with you we like to benchmark, we provide a baseline for measuring performance over time, helping organisations set realistic goals for improvement and track progress. 

Regular network health checks, to compare current network condition against baseline and report on variances, with proposed remedial actions.  This is especially important when changes are made to the system. We consider this as part of our proactive maintenance opportunities that are available within our comprehensive service offering, ServConnect™.


The iconsys/PIUK Partnership 

 

We are ready to partner with you and support your future business growth. Which is why we partner and work closely with PIUK (PROFIBUS-PROFINET). They provide our engineering team with certified training , which is central to our ethos and our methodology.  

 

Author: Wendy Snell, Service Solutions Sales Manager

Wendy Snell, iconsys, industrial networks