IT/OT integration: making machine data useful for the rest of the business
Machine data through OPC UA and MQTT to ERP, MES and data historians, and order data back to the shop floor.
What we do
GCG approaches IT/OT integration from two sides of the same system: the software that uses the data and the PLC that makes it available. Those disciplines work closely together in our team on the connections. You have one point of contact for both sides. We define which data is needed, who can access it and what happens during an outage. When writing back to the controls, we also define how commands are validated and which safeguards remain in the PLC.
Business systems and the shop floor
Developing interfaces between controls, databases and ERP/MES or other applications. For example, transferring production records to a business system or orders to the shop floor, depending on the available interfaces.
OPC UA servers
Platform-independent, structured data exchange between PLC and higher-level systems.
MQTT / Sparkplug B
Lightweight messaging for edge and cloud connections.
Data historians
AVEVA PI, Canary Labs, and TimescaleDB for capturing process data.
Network segmentation
Segmentation per the Purdue model, with NIS2/IEC 62443 in mind.
Secure remote access
Remote access with restricted permissions, network segmentation and management of accounts and connections.
Delivery and handover
Before work starts, we define which machine data will be exchanged, through which interfaces and who will manage the system. The agreed connections, data processing and documentation are tested and handed over to your engineering and IT teams.
Project example: machine data over 4G and VPN at the Circular Concrete Machine
Frequently asked questions
Is IT/OT integration only worthwhile for large installations?
Does exposing data compromise PLC security?
Engineers who work on this
Jurn OvermarsFounder (CEO): Software & ITMore about Jurn
Raymond Consen-TumpCo-Owner: Senior Automation EngineerMore about Raymond
Nick SchokkerAutomation & Embedded Systems EngineerMore about Nick
Lucas van BeverenAutomation EngineerMore about Lucas
John TolSoftware EngineerMore about John
Brayn GeijsSoftware EngineerMore about Brayn
From machine to cloud
The data chain has three layers: machine control, connectivity and IT/data.
Connect! · from machine to cloud
OT: Machine
Sensors
I/O
PLC
HMI
Drives
Connectivity
Industrial Ethernet
OPC UA
MQTT
Edge
Secure remote access
IT / Data
API
Database
Server
Cloud
Dashboard
Making PLC data available to EASE
Together with NoNoA, we connect EASE to real-time industrial data. GCG collects PLC data, stores it in a database and makes it available through an API for process values and charts in EASE.
What needs to change in your installation?
Tell us what is already installed and what you are running into.