Remote Plant Operations Are the New Normal

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended how and where we work. A year and a half into this massive shift, productivity has not fallen and with the right technology, has the potential to grow. This extends to jobs on the plant floor that even a few years ago, would have been impossible to perform remotely. The IT/OT convergence has transformed the plant floor, allowing for remote access and control. However, like many other industries, companies are struggling to find people with the right skillsets to manage not only new technologies but also new security threats. Many companies have talented IT and OT teams in place. But few have IT/OT specialists, a role that is tricky to fill, but with remote access as a tool, broadens the pool of potential applicants to anywhere with a reliable internet connection. These are experts who merge OT application knowledge with technology typically used in IT roles. They have the right blend of skills and knowledge to help realize the potential of digitalized production operations while avoiding issues that can cause costly downtime.