New Study Documents Progress of Manufacturers Toward IT and Controls Engineering Convergence
Study reveals that companies further along the path toward convergence are realizing
more positive impacts on manufacturing performance than anticipated
CHICAGO, Nov. 14, 2007 - Rockwell Automation has released results of a new study
representing a broad cross-section of manufacturing industries revealing that companies
progressing toward converging their IT and controls engineering organizations are
reaping major benefits, including higher efficiency, increased reliability, shorter project timelines and better business continuity. The study also found that those with more integration between these functions experience less conflict and are more optimistic about the future of convergence.
The objective of the study, which analyzed responses from more than 300 control
engineers and IT/IS professionals, was to gain insight into convergence trends and
identify barriers, as well as best practices that companies are using to accelerate the
process. The study also supports recommendations outlined in a white paper commissioned earlier this year by Rockwell Automation and authored by analyst firm
Industry Directions and consultant firm Systems Innovation Management outlining the
potential benefits of IT/Controls convergence.
"These findings confirm many of the performance advantages that we had long
suspected come from stronger collaboration between IT and controls departments, and
we've uncovered a few new ones as well," said Kevin Roach, vice president of Software,
Rockwell Automation.
The study identified management involvement as the most influential and effective
driver of convergence. In fact, the analysis showed that in more integrated companies,
90 percent of the respondents indicated that senior management is "promoting change"
or is "somewhat involved". Conversely, in companies where IT and control engineering is
less integrated, 40 percent of the respondents described senior management as
"uninvolved in driving change".
The study also found that those with IT/IS responsibilities tended to be more
aggressive toward seeking and initiating progress toward convergence. This correlates
with the differences in how the two groups evaluate the advantages of convergence.
According to the results, 67 percent of IT respondents indicated that convergence had
more advantages than disadvantages, compared to only 39 percent of controls
engineers.
The survey also revealed some unexpected benefits of convergence, including
improved security; improved visibility across multiple plants; improved disaster recovery; and reduced system complexity due to improved designs. Other findings gave insight on the positive impact that convergence is having on various manufacturing processes and programs. Those initiatives where convergence is showing the most impact include:
o Information and internet protocol availability and security
o Lean manufacturing or lean enterprise
o Real-time manufacturing
o Total quality programs like Six Sigma
"Just as manufacturers realize the strategic importance of integrated information,
many are now beginning to realize the need to create an integrated environment where
plant-floor and IT functions are managed in a collaborative, synchronized manner,"
Roach said. "This converged framework allows teams to better collaborative to assess
current manufacturing and IT systems, and begin to set standards for integration, data
management and future technology investments."
A summary of the study's key findings is available as a supplement to the white
paper titled, "Come Together: IT-Engineering-Manufacturing Convergence Furthers
Success". This paper, released in June 2007, summarizes the conclusions from a series
of in-depth interviews conducted with manufacturing and IT professionals earlier this
year.
Rockwell Automation, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial
automation power, control and information solutions that help manufacturers achieve a
competitive advantage in their businesses. The company brings together leading global
brands in industrial automation which include Allen-Bradley controls and services and
Rockwell Software factory management software. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis.,
the company employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
For a copy of the original IT-Engineering Convergence Whitepaper, please visit:
www.rockwellautomation.com/go/converge.
Rockwell Automation
1201 South Second Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
www.rockwellautomation.com
Media Contacts:
Paula Puess
Rockwell Automation
216.646.3806
pdpuess@ra.rockwell.com
Danielle Engholm
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc.
612.455.1764
dengholm@psbpr.com
