What Is IT / OT?

Understanding what IT and OT is will greatly help you improve the wellbeing of your building, your business and your people.

Understanding The Networks

Historically, IT and OT have occupied entirely separate domains and shared little or no meaningful data or control. Even though they both use IP connected equipment, IT and OT devices do not behave exactly the same on the network. They also rely on oversight from staff with distinctly different skill sets.

More than ever before, successful business outcomes and environmental objectives depend on the convergence of IT and OT, and the demand for “smarter buildings” is bringing the two domains together.

What Is Information Technology (IT) In Smart Buildings?

In the context of Smart Buildings, IT refers to a network infrastructure which is implemented and managed to ensure that your business operations work effectively and efficiently at all times.

The network infrastructure requires ongoing maintenance, and in some instances, also requires governance due to the ever changing and increasing demand for corporate compliance.

What Is Operational Technology (OT) In Smart Buildings?

In essence, Operational technology (OT) refers to anything bolted to the building. From elevators to lighting, heating, ventilation, CO monitoring, water monitoring, climate control air-conditioning (HVAC), power meters, surveillance, access control, intercoms and fire alarms (the list goes on!). As these devices become more networked with IP, it is possible for IT and facilities to collaborate to create impressively connected smart buildings.

Sensors are essential in making this possible, enabling collection and analysis of real-time data that can be used to:

  • Improve building energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Reduce maintenance costs with predictive maintenance.
  • Optimise space utilisation.
  • Enhance tenant safety, security and wellbeing.

The Goal?

Day to day, when IT & OT work together, it becomes easier to prioritise tasks by business requirements; be it business criticality, customer satisfaction, usability and reputation damage to name but a few.

Thinking about the bigger picture – by using a converged network to improve the wellbeing of the building, we can better take care of the people inside. In doing so, the business housed within the building thrives, thanks to a workforce built solely on productivity, connectivity, stability and performance.