IT/OT Integration Strategy

Bridging the Gap: Why IT/OT Integration Strategy Is No Longer Optional

In many mid-sized manufacturing facilities, IT and OT still operate in silos.
Different priorities. Different tools. Different languages.
The result? Fragmented data, redundant work, and missed opportunities.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

What Is IT/OT Integration?

At its core, IT/OT integration is about aligning your operational technology (OT)—things like PLCs, SCADA, HMIs—with your information technology (IT) systems—your ERP, MES, CMMS, and cloud analytics tools.

It’s not just about connecting cables or adding middleware.
It’s about creating a strategic architecture that allows your entire organization to:

• Share data in real time
• Make better operational decisions
• Automate intelligently
• Scale without technical debt

Common Symptoms of Poor IT/OT Alignment

• Manual data transfers from the floor to spreadsheets
• Trouble accessing real-time production or quality data
• OT teams bypassing IT due to bureaucracy or lack of trust
• “Shadow systems” being built because nothing integrates cleanly
• Difficulty benchmarking across lines or facilities

If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t just need a new system.
You need a strategy.

What Joltek Does Differently

We work directly with engineering, operations, and IT leaders to:

• Map your current-state architecture and find gaps, redundancies, and risks
• Design a unified OT/IT strategy tailored to your plant size, pace of change, and real-world constraints
• Select and align vendors to minimize complexity and maximize long-term ROI
• Plan phased execution that doesn't disrupt production or overload your team

Whether you’re modernizing a single line or preparing to scale across multiple sites, a clear integration strategy saves time, money, and frustration.

The Bottom Line

Most manufacturers know they need digital transformation.
But without IT/OT alignment, you’re building on a cracked foundation.

We’ve helped clients take control of their systems, simplify decision-making, and unlock the data their operations teams were already generating—but couldn’t use.

If you’re unsure how to start, or feel like your tech stack is working against your team instead of with them, let’s talk.

Reach out at joltek.com/ciontact to schedule a short, no-pressure consult.