Agile software development
Bringing OT and IT together
A paradigm shift is currently taking place in mechanical and plant engineering: operational technology and IT are converging. This is accompanied by a number of challenges.
The traditional separation of automation software on the one hand and information and data processing on the other, i.e. operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT), is no longer possible. Topics such as data science & analytics, predictive maintenance, self-optimizing processes, cyber security, safety, usability and web and cloud technologies are becoming increasingly important. However, the necessary software solutions are becoming increasingly complex. Machine and plant manufacturers must now consider the previously separate disciplines of OT and IT together in order to be successful in the long term. Most large mechanical engineering companies have recognized this and have already designed, developed and, in some cases, introduced appropriate solutions to the market. The situation is different for SMEs.
The technology used in medium-sized companies, which is sometimes outdated, is generally based on a software platform developed over ten to 20 years ago using outdated programming methods. As a result, programming costs are far too high and constantly increasing, while efficiency is continuously decreasing. This makes it impossible to implement current and future customer and market requirements economically and in line with the technology. These medium-sized machine manufacturers are unable to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0, the integration of OT and IT, new technologies and future economic and technological challenges. Ultimately, this leads to their profitability and innovative strength as well as their competitiveness and customer acceptance being increasingly weakened due to the existing software platform.
To ensure future competitiveness, a reduction in machine-specific programming and commissioning costs is absolutely essential. This can be achieved through framework technologies, encapsulation of complexity, modularization and standardization.
Machine software concepts with modern technologies and a high integrated quality standard are a prerequisite, and a high level of innovation and openness to the requirements arising from Industry 4.0 and digitalization are crucial for competitiveness. The previous separation between PLC programming and high-level language applications - or rather between classic automation software (OT) and information technology (IT) - is no longer conceivable in this context.
Compared to previous software development for medium-sized mechanical engineering companies, this results in serious changes to the requirements for the development team's skills portfolio. Not only a significantly expanded method, process and development know-how is required, but also up-to-date technology and method expertise in the OT and IT environment. Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches and ways of thinking in information technology, computer science and classic automation technology in conjunction with a distinctive and consistent solution competence for future-proof software platforms and frameworks are essential. The topic of cybersecurity, which was completely unknown in the previous OT world, is also becoming increasingly important, but must be taken into account in future-proof and integrated platform development. Furthermore, the development team should have experience in the professional development of software in special and series machine construction.
There is a high implementation risk if software development is carried out without or with purely traditional process models, such as the V or waterfall model. Today, software platforms can only be realized economically with consistent, agile, model-based and quality-oriented development processes. Professional project management and controlling can ensure adherence to deadlines and budgets as well as transparency throughout the entire course of the project. The development team should be able to cover the entire competence portfolio from sensors, logic, motion, communication, user interface, database technology, data analytics and AI to cloud and IIoT technologies as well as cybersecurity.
The users' requirements for the resulting software platform are completely different: it must be possible to create individual machine and system software based on this platform simply and easily. The complexity of the platform should be "encapsulated" and remain hidden from the programmer and commissioning engineer.
It is therefore clear that the demands placed on the team developing the software platform must be different from those placed on the programmers and commissioning engineers of the machine software. The development of a future-proof software platform can only be achieved with a reliable, interdisciplinary and forward-looking software development partner. As framework programming involves the development of a long-lasting capital good, the availability of the necessary broad and always up-to-date technological know-how over many years and decades is of great importance. Cooperation with external partners in the development of a software platform is therefore an effective and sensible path to a successful future for medium-sized companies.
Siegfried Schülein, Senior Market Expert Industry Solutions at Infoteam Software / ag
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