Connecting Production to ERP — 4 Lessons in IT/OT Integration
Making line automation talk to the ERP looks like a technical job; the real challenges are data ownership, security and a shared language between teams.
- Published
- 18 September 2026
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- 1 min read
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Integrating production systems with the ERP means joining two worlds: automation that runs in milliseconds and an ERP that runs on business processes.
1. Write a shared data dictionary first
What does "batch" mean on the floor, and in the ERP? If two teams read the same word differently, the integration will be wrong too.
2. Separate the OT network from IT
Integration must not mean exposing the production network. Layered networks and one-way data flows are essential.
3. Move the data that drives decisions, not everything
Not every sensor reading belongs in the ERP. Confirmations, consumption and quality results are enough.
4. Design the failure path up front
What happens to data when the connection drops? Queues, retries and alerts belong in day one.