Factors for successfully integrating operational and information technologies

Technology, organisation and people factors influence the success of technology integration. This paper explores recent research findings of integration of Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) in organisations with a primary function of managing assets. The main differences between the two technologies are that one is attached to assets and governs real time asset control and performance data, the other has static information and is traditionally used to make decisions. Understanding the factors for integrating the technologies is important because if organisations can leverage understanding of the influencing people, process and technology factors on the phases of integration of OT and IT, organisations can improve asset performance and control and therefore influence the consumption, cost, maintenance and consistent, reliable, secure provision of critical services such as energy and water. Integration theory applicability may be extended to the asset management environment and provide practitioners with a holistic, end to end, integrated framework to guide the efficient integration of OT and IT. The paper explores the integration phases, influencing factors and challenges such as the role of information governance, security and reliability decision rights identified in survey and case study research with asset management practitioners. The research concludes by suggesting a validated holistic framework for integrating OT and IT in asset management oriented organisations.