CBT partner Rockwell Automation understands the challenges of making the technology changes that capture connected opportunities because – as a global manufacturer dealing with the same challenges – Rockwell Automation underwent its own journey. To help customers make the technology and cultural changes essential to reach The Connected Enterprise goals, Rockwell Automation developed a five-stage process that can help protect your operation against emerging Internet of Things threats and take the first steps to operational excellence. Rockwell Automation and CBT have teamed up to provide you with a roadmap to The Connected Enterprise.
Stage One: Baseline Assessment
Without a solid infrastructure, you can’t achieve the desired value you’re looking for. A comprehensive infrastructure and network assessment will establish to what extent it can be upgraded or whether it needs replacing. This assessment evaluates information hardware and software infrastructure, automation controls and devices, networks, and security policies.
Stage Two: Secure And Upgrade Network And Controls
Central to The Connected Enterprise is a common network infrastructure that facilitates communications between automation and control systems and the enterprise network via EtherNet/IP. A challenge for many organizations is the sheer volume and variety of outdated controls and networks in place and to what extent they can be upgraded or replaced. Applying standard Internet and EtherNet protocols, like EtherNet/IP, help integrate operations data with the rest of the enterprise.
Stage Three: Defined And Organized Working Data Capital
Capturing data is fundamental, but data without context is not an asset. The Connected Enterprise makes the best use of data, transforming it into actionable business information on which better decisions can be based. CBT and Rockwell Automation will teach you how to use The Connected Enterprise to extract good data and turn it into actionable information, eliminating manual reporting.
Stage Four: Analytics Operational Benefits
Data-based analytics can be viewed real-time with dashboards and can be monitored contextually as well as against historical performance data. It also can be securely shared and presented organization-wide using secure reports.
Stage Five: Optimize And Collaborate
The Connected Enterprise unites and shares valuable information not just across people, devices, and processes, but also across sites and even companies. Information is shared across the supply chain, ensuring processes are optimized end to end. It’s important to consider what additional capabilities need to be deployed to help drive optimization and collaboration, whether within a single plant, between a plant and the enterprise, or across multiple facilities and supply chains. Interested in learning more about The Connected Enterprise and how you can begin your journey to the future? Talk to your CBT specialist to day to learn how CBT and Rockwell Automation will guide you through your Connected Enterprise Roadmap.
