Making OT-IT integration a reality with new data architectures and generative AI

Manufacturers have long held a data-driven vision for the future of their industry. It’s one where near real-time data flows seamlessly between IT and operational technology (OT) systems. Where all data – structured, semi-structured, and unstructured – is sourced, unified, and exploited in automated processes, AI tools and by highly skilled, but over-stretched, employees. In short, it’s a vision of a more agile sector better able to react to constant change.

Legacy data management is holding back manufacturing transformation

Until now, however, this vision has remained out of reach. Data remains siloed in facilities, departments, and systems –and between IT and OT networks (according to a report by The Manufacturer, just 23% of businesses have achieved more than a basic level of IT and OT convergence). Manufacturers can also struggle to leverage unstructured data, meaning they’re failing to unlock insights contained in CAD designs, audio or video files, photos of whiteboards, machine logs, maintenance records, user manuals, and more.

What’s more, legacy data management practices mean that manufacturers are unable to fully exploit the opportunities of generative AI. These opportunities are significant. According to Gartner, as much as 75% of operational decisions could be made within an AI-enabled application or process by 2030. In this way, manufacturers would be able to reduce risk, increase resilience and agility, boost productivity, and minimise their environmental footprint.

A number of industry leaders are already experimenting with advanced AI use cases, including Denso, a leading mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. Denso uses AI to verify the structuring of unstructured data from across its organisation. This data, which is stored on Avanade Insight Discovery, is then processed through Microsoft Copilot, an AI assistant that enables simple and effective search and analysis. As a result, Denso can now automate manual tasks and reduce work hours for employees. The company can also unify its knowledge base and promote search and information use that better meets its needs.

The data transformation imperative

What Denso and other industry leaders realise is that for IT-OT convergence to be realised, and the benefits of AI unlocked, data transformation is vital. Brendan Mislin, General Manager, Industry X at Avanade, comments: “Manufacturers looking to use Microsoft Copilot and other generative AI tools first need to enable data use from across operational and enterprise applications and break down legacy OT and IT siloes. Here, industrial knowledge graphs are going to prove vital by enabling manufacturers to combine structured and unstructured data from a wide range of operational and enterprise software systems to drive better decision-making, problem-solving and more advanced automation.”

Industrial knowledge graphs employ industry-standard metadata to contextualize and structure data so it can be used in large language models. With the latest advances in generative AI, it’s now possible for each individual operational and enterprise software system, and its underlying data, to be represented as a graph within a larger graph-of-graphs structure. This supercharges the ask-an-expert capabilities of Microsoft Copilot by enabling a comprehensive view of the entire manufacturing ecosystem, from the shop floor to the supply chain and beyond.

Mislin adds: “This graph-of-graphs approach to knowledge management is essential to enable Microsoft Copilot and other generative AI applications to leverage the collective intelligence of the entire manufacturing organization in near real-time. It empowers employees with the insights they need to help them make high-quality products faster and with less waste.”

As manufacturers look to realise the long-awaited dream of IT-OT convergence and enjoy the benefits of AI, industrial knowledge graphs will be a crucial foundational technology. Working with experts like the Industry X team at Avanade and Accenture, who are proficient in Microsoft technology and data management, help accelerate this process and ensure that the manufacturing organisation of tomorrow is built on the strongest of data foundations and people-centric practices.

You can also get in touch to arrange a workshop with Avanade to further explore IT-OT convergence and AI within the context of your business.  

Avanade is attending Hanover Messe 2024. Register here to meet with Avanade and discuss the potential of Microsoft Copilot in manufacturing.