ServiceNow and Mission Secure Bridging IT & OT Enhancing Asset Visibility Supercharges App Modernization

/ Application Development, Automation, Cyber Security, Infrastructure

ServiceNow’s partnership with Mission Secure advances OT (Operational Technology) asset visibility, a critical step given the rise of Industry 4.0 and the integration of digital and physical assets in manufacturing and critical infrastructure. This collaboration helps organizations monitor and secure OT assets, merging IT and OT data into a unified view. The impact is significant for application developers: secure and seamless data flow between systems enables better app integration and automation, empowering developers to create resilient solutions in highly connected, cyber-aware environments.

This evolution supports digital transformation by addressing OT systems’ unique risks, such as older equipment and siloed operations. Enhancing visibility in OT mirrors ServiceNow’s IT success, using its NowPlatform to drive efficient, cross-functional asset management, which is crucial as industries increasingly adopt IT/OT convergence strategies. This aligns with broader industry efforts, seen with companies like Siemens, to enhance operational transparency and adaptability, offering developers a robust, secure infrastructure for innovation.

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The Impact of Enhanced OT Asset Visibility on Application Developers and Modernization

The collaboration between ServiceNow and Mission Secure has set the stage for a new era of visibility in operational technology (OT) asset management. This is particularly significant for application developers, as it accelerates application modernization in sectors reliant on OT systems, such as manufacturing, energy, and infrastructure. Here’s a closer look at the impacts on developers and modernization efforts, with industry data highlighting the trends.

1. Expanding the IT/OT Convergence

  • Developer Opportunities: Integrating OT data into IT frameworks, especially through platforms like ServiceNow’s NowPlatform, creates new opportunities for developers to build applications that bridge the IT and OT divide. This convergence allows developers to create applications that can securely access OT data for analytics, monitoring, and automation.
  • Industry Data: The IT/OT convergence market was valued at over $7 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 8.2% through 2030, driven by the need for enhanced operational efficiency and cybersecurity in OT environments.

2. Enhanced Security and Compliance Features

  • Developer Benefits: Improved OT visibility allows developers to design applications with higher security standards, reducing vulnerabilities and addressing the unique cybersecurity risks associated with legacy OT systems. The increased insight helps developers create compliance-ready applications that meet stringent industry standards.
  • Industry Data: According to a recent report, cyberattacks on OT assets increased by 60% from 2022 to 2023. This growing threat has pushed companies to prioritize security-focused application features, allowing developers to add security compliance as a competitive advantage in OT-dependent industries.

3. Modernizing Applications for Legacy Systems

  • Developer Impact: The new OT asset visibility capabilities support legacy system modernization, providing real-time data that enables developers to build more responsive and adaptable applications. Developers can integrate machine learning and AI functionalities to optimize operations, such as predictive maintenance and energy efficiency.
  • Industry Data: Legacy systems comprise approximately 50% of OT assets, with estimates suggesting over 30% are over two decades old. Modernizing these systems with better asset visibility can improve operational efficiency by up to 25%.

4. Data-Driven Decision-Making

  • Developer Use Cases: With access to reliable OT data, developers can build applications that deliver actionable insights for end-users. Applications could, for example, identify trends in asset utilization, predict breakdowns, or recommend energy-saving measures—all of which drive data-driven decisions.
  • Industry Data: According to McKinsey, organizations that integrate IT and OT data experience a 15-20% reduction in operational costs. This data integration equips developers to design solutions directly contributing to bottom-line savings.

5. Scalability and Flexibility in Application Design

  • Developer Impact: Modern OT environments demand scalable solutions to accommodate various asset types and increasingly connected devices. The ServiceNow-Mission Secure partnership supports scalable, cross-functional applications that can manage IT and OT assets, giving developers a wider scope to deliver value through scalable applications.
  • Industry Data: The global OT asset management market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% from 2023 to 2028, reaching over $12 billion. Developers will be essential in meeting this growth by creating modular, scalable applications that leverage OT data.

Conclusion

Enhanced OT asset visibility is pivotal for application modernization, providing developers with the data, security, and flexibility to build cutting-edge applications. The evolving landscape of IT/OT convergence and asset management highlights the role of developers in transforming legacy systems and creating secure, data-driven applications that drive efficiency and compliance. As industries increasingly integrate OT assets, developers will play a crucial role in shaping the future of these applications, underscoring the importance of OT and IT convergence in the digital age.

By prioritizing security, scalability, and actionable insights, developers can maximize the impact of their applications in the OT space.

Author

  • Paul Nashawaty, Practice Leader and Lead Principal Analyst, specializes in application modernization across build, release and operations. With a wealth of expertise in digital transformation initiatives spanning front-end and back-end systems, he also possesses comprehensive knowledge of the underlying infrastructure ecosystem crucial for supporting modernization endeavors. With over 25 years of experience, Paul has a proven track record in implementing effective go-to-market strategies, including the identification of new market channels, the growth and cultivation of partner ecosystems, and the successful execution of strategic plans resulting in positive business outcomes for his clients.

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