Confused by the "IT vs OT" divide?
You aren’t alone. While Information Technology manages your business logic, Operational Technology keeps your production lines moving. When these two worlds don't speak the same language, your business loses visibility and efficiency.
Watch the 2-minute guide to IT/OT convergence
The conflict of disconnected systems
In many factories, the relationship is IT vs OT rather than IT plus OT. This lack of integration creates significant operational friction:
The Manual Data Trap
When OT equipment isn't talking to IT systems (like SAP or Oracle), operators must manually enter data twice; once at the machine and once in the ERP.
Costly Operational Errors
Manual entry is responsible for approximately 20% of production mistakes, including incorrect packaging and printing errors.
Startup Bottlenecks
Without automated data flow from IT to OT, starting a production line requires manual entry of up to 12 different parameters, killing your throughput.
Blind Spots
Without real-time OT feedback, IT lacks visibility into finished goods stock and inspection results (good vs. bad parts), leading to supply chain delays.
Achieve seamless IT/OT convergence with CoLOS®
True IT/OT convergence is about bringing your two largest technology investments together into a single, synchronized flow of information. CoLOS® serves as the interface that translates enterprise logic into floor-level action.
Bidirectional Data Flow
CoLOS® doesn't just push data down; it pulls real-time OT insights (such as weight, vision results, and pallet counts) directly back into your IT dashboards and BI tools.
Universal Interface
Our platform bridges the gap between IT standards (Webservices, JSON, MQTT) and OT protocols (OPC-UA, TCP/IP) to connect everything from your ERP to your robots.
Beyond the ERP
Convergence isn't limited to IT business systems; CoLOS® integrates your OT with MES, WMS, third-party databases, and even government tax systems.
Business continuity: protecting OT from IT downtime
The biggest risk in the IT vs OT relationship is that a failure in one can paralyze the other.
Eliminate Production Stops
If your IT server goes down for an upgrade or a connection is lost, CoLOS® ensures your OT floor keeps manufacturing.
Autonomous Operation
Factories can continue generating new orders and repeating production runs without an active ERP connection.
Automatic Reconciliation
Once the IT connection is restored, CoLOS® automatically syncs all data back to the enterprise, ensuring no loss of traceability.
Quantifiable ROI of IT/OT integration
Moving from a "vs" to a "unified" strategy delivers measurable improvements to your manufacturing KPIs:
20% Error Reduction
Eliminate the manual data entry mistakes that lead to waste and rework.
Accelerated Speed-to-Market
Lines start with a single button press as IT data is instantly translated for OT equipment.
Real-Time Traceability
Link finished goods to source materials in real-time, drastically reducing the cost and scope of potential recalls.
Supply Chain Visibility
Gain instant visualization of finished products within your IT systems as they leave the OT environment.
Modern standards for IT and OT
CoLOS® speaks the language of both worlds to ensure a perfect fit:
IT Protocols
API, XML, RFC,Webservices, JSON,MQTT, and IDOC.
OT Protocols
OPC, OPC-UA, TCP/IP, and ODBC.
Device Support
Direct integration for scanners, coders, labelers, vision systems, scales, PLCs, and robots.
Enterprise Access
View real-time production status via web browsers, mobile phones, and tablets.
Over 8,000 IT/OT integrations worldwide
Markem-Imaje is the global leader in delivering consistent IT/OT convergence at scale. We are the trusted partner for international brands that require 24/7 reliability across global production sites.
Proven Deployments
Our integration expertise is utilized by the world’s most demanding manufacturers, including a global consumer goods leader across 58 sites, a top-tier internation beverage producer across 46 sites, and a major world-leading soft drink company across 35 sites.
Global Support
We provide a 24/7 global support mechanism, ensuring that your integrated IT/OT ecosystem never sleeps.
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