Things change. As manufacturing plants grow and needs evolve, it’s typical to see plants using many types and generations of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) devices, machines and networking capabilities that have been implemented over the years. This can include outdated machinery that doesn’t generate adequate data to enhance processes, or even security gaps in devices and networks. Embarking on the journey toward digital transformation requires establishing a set of functional requirements and a robust data capture system to identify and address inefficiencies in your processes.

So how does a company identify the barriers, recognize them for what they are (many barriers can be simple to break down), and begin to develop and implement an operational technology (OT) strategy to address their challenges? One step at a time.

To fully support these efforts, the Tri Tech team offers turnkey, comprehensive solutions in which everything from evaluation and engineering to fabrication and automation are handled by our in-house team of experts. Furthermore, while many companies manage disparate portions of the digital transformation process, our team includes the capabilities to also support those endeavors too. This allows us to serve as your single-source partner through the journey with a full range of services to support your needs.

The Perfect State: How Every OT Team Wishes their Plant Could Run

Imagine a plant where every piece of machinery operates smoothly, downtimes are minimal, and maintenance is performed when equipment actually needs it rather than on an ad hoc schedule. For the operations and maintenance teams, this equates to incredible peace of mind. In this utopian environment, there are minimal 3 a.m. emergency calls, less chance of a costly work stoppage or product spoilage, a happier, more productive workforce, and more satisfied customers. We help you envision what your ideal operations look like. We listen and ask questions that allow you to explore the possibilities and paint that picture with you.

Enabling this best-case scenario involves visibility – into what you have now, what short-term and long-term snags you may be facing, and where opportunities in your ecosystem might lie.

And that’s the key word – opportunities. At Tri Tech we believe that every plant in the country has the ability to transform. The level of and first steps toward transformation depend on a company’s needs, goals and situation, and ultimately, where they are in their digital transformation journey. Even the smallest of shifts can make a big difference if they’re made strategically, and each piece of Tri Tech’s service offering gets you closer to the utopian plant environment that will give you a competitive edge and ensure your future success. It’s what unlocking your Hidden Factory is all about.

Tri Tech’s Iterative Approach to Manufacturing Technology

Rome wasn’t built in a day, elephants have to be eaten one bite at a time, and no manufacturing facility can completely address all of its technology needs in one fell swoop. That’s why Tri Tech’s approach involves sprints that allow us to prioritize projects we plan and execute in digestible pieces, which can include:

• Design: to ensure your network and the components that run on it are properly positioned to perform.
• Hardware: from best-in-class manufacturers, chosen and integrated into your network with your goals and needs in mind.
• Control Panels: fabricated to specifications Tri Tech engineers develop during the design phase.
• Programming and start-up activities: to ensure proper setup and get you up and running as efficiently as possible.

Having all these capabilities under one roof reduces risk and streamlines the process for your team. Because technological capabilities are always changing and there’s always room for continuous improvement, the perfect utopian plant environment is probably unattainable. But aiming for perfection is how you’ll achieve greatness and experience a simplified manufacturing environment where you can accomplish your goals with a trusted partner who is as invested in where you are going as you are.

Reach out to the Tri Tech team to take the first steps toward optimizing your operational technology investments.