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Bridging OT and IT Part 2: How Stratodesk NoTouch OS Enhances the IT-OT Convergence

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  • Author: Silke Telsnig

As organizations continue to adopt connected devices and systems, ensuring seamless integration, security, and performance becomes critical. Stratodesk NoTouch OS for IoT plays a crucial role in this process, offering a unified platform that optimizes the performance of various industrial devices, including industrial thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices. Here’s how NoTouch OS can be beneficial across these environments:

1. One operating system for IT and OT devices

With the hardware agnostic NoTouch OS IT and OT devices can be modernized and standardized. With the Linux-based secure OS, companies can get rid of Windows on the factory floor or in the organization at all. NoToch OS runs on all X86 devices such as panel PCs, terminals, industrial thin clients, rugged laptops or tablets and any kind of office hardware. In addition to that, NoTouch OS also works on Raspberry Pis . 

NoTouch provides connection to Citrix, Microsoft AVD or Windows 365, Horizon and  integrates with IoT and IIot specific applications such as manufacturing execution systems and industry network monitoring solutions. For quick and reliable access to information on the floor, NoTouch supports RFID readers, hand scanners, authentication solutions and digital signage solutions. 

2. Centralized Management Across IT and OT Devices

One of the biggest challenges when integrating IT and OT systems is managing a growing number of devices with different requirements and functions. Devices in OT environments, such as HMIs, panel PCs, Raspberry Pis  and industrial thin clients, are often spread across various production lines, control rooms, and remote locations. In addition, these devices may run different operating systems or have different configurations.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS offers a centralized management platform that simplifies the administration of these diverse devices. IT teams can:

  • Provision devices remotely, ensuring consistent configurations across all endpoints.
  • Apply updates and patches to OT and IT devices simultaneously, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and downtime.
  • Monitor device health and performance across the entire network, providing real-time insights into the status of all devices, whether in a control room, factory floor, or at the edge of the network.

This centralized management reduces the complexity of overseeing both IT and OT devices, allowing IT teams to maintain control and ensure that systems are secure, up-to-date, and functioning optimally.

3.  Enhanced Security for Both IT and OT Systems

Cybersecurity is a growing concern as the number of connected devices in OT environments expands. In particular, OT systems have historically been vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their isolation from IT systems. With more OT devices becoming connected to IT systems, ensuring comprehensive security is more critical than ever.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS enhances security across both IT and OT environments in several ways:

  • Device Hardening: NoTouch OS is designed with built-in security features that lock down endpoints, ensuring that only authorized applications can run on the devices. This reduces the potential attack surface for malware and unauthorized access.
  • Encryption: All communications between thin clients, HMIs, edge devices, and central systems are encrypted, safeguarding sensitive industrial data.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): NoTouch allows IT administrators to configure precise access control policies for different users, ensuring that personnel only have access to the systems and data relevant to their roles.
  • Support for Industry Standards: NoTouch supports advanced security protocols and industry best practices such as TLS/SSL and VPNs, helping organizations comply with cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST.
  • NoTouch also integrates with various authentication providers and methods and for secure access to the devices itself as well to to manufacturing execution systems (MES)
  • NoTouch also supports RFID readers on Panel PCs and industrial thin clients to authenticate using a company ID.

By integrating these security features, Stratodesk NoTouch OS provides robust protection against cyber threats and unauthorized access or use, helping safeguard both IT and OT systems.

4. Optimized for Real-Time Performance and Edge Computing

In OT environments, performance is everything. Automation systems such as robotic arms, conveyor belts, and sensors require real-time processing to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations. When IT and OT systems are integrated, devices need to be optimized for both real-time control and enterprise-level data processing.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS is optimized for edge computing, which is essential for reducing latency and ensuring that data is processed locally before being sent to central IT systems. This is particularly important in industrial environments where delays can have significant consequences, such as in manufacturing lines or predictive maintenance systems.

Key benefits include:

  • Low Latency: NoTouch OS is designed to support fast, efficient communication between OT devices and the central systems they rely on, minimizing delays and optimizing real-time decision-making.
  • Local Data Processing: With edge devices running NoTouch OS, industrial data can be processed at the device level, reducing the need for constant communication with cloud or data center resources, which can be slower and less reliable.
  • Reliability: NoTouch OS ensures high uptime by optimizing device performance and providing remote monitoring capabilities, making it ideal for real-time industrial environments.

5. Flexibility and Scalability for Growing Industrial Environments

The adoption of IIoT devices and automation technologies is growing rapidly, and the scalability of IT and OT systems is becoming a critical factor in future-proofing industrial operations. As more devices are added, systems need to be able to scale without introducing complexity or compromising security.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS is built for scalability, allowing businesses to easily deploy, manage, and update thousands of thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices across large industrial environments. With NoTouch:

  • Device Deployment: New devices can be added to the network quickly and easily, with minimal configuration required.
  • Automated Provisioning: Devices are automatically provisioned with the right software and settings, ensuring consistency and reducing the burden on IT teams.
  • Seamless Updates: NoTouch OS allows for over-the-air updates, ensuring that all devices are always running the latest version without disrupting operations.

Whether you’re scaling up your operations to meet increased demand or deploying new devices to enhance your automation systems, NoTouch OS offers the flexibility and scalability needed for future growth.

6. Cost-Effective and Long-Term Device Longevity

Industrial devices, such as thin clients and HMIs, often need to endure harsh conditions and have long operational lifespans. The longevity and cost-effectiveness of these devices are critical factors for businesses looking to maximize their investments.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS supports these devices with:

  • Low Resource Consumption: NoTouch is a lightweight OS that requires minimal resources, extending the lifespan of thin clients and edge devices. This makes it ideal for long-term use in environments with demanding conditions.
  • Cost Savings: Thin clients running NoTouch are more affordable than traditional PCs, and because they require less maintenance, businesses save on both hardware and operational costs.

By using NoTouch OS, industrial organizations can ensure that their devices perform reliably over time, without frequent upgrades or replacements.

Conclusion

The convergence of OT and IT is driving unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency across industries, and Stratodesk NoTouch OS is playing a critical role in enabling this transformation. With its ability to support thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices in both IT and OT environments, NoTouch OS offers significant benefits in terms of centralized management, security, real-time performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

As organizations continue to integrate more connected devices and systems, Stratodesk NoTouch OS provides the robust, flexible, and secure foundation needed to ensure smooth, continuous operations in the evolving world of industrial automation. Whether you’re managing devices on the factory floor, remote locations, or in the control room, NoTouch OS ensures that both IT and OT systems can work together seamlessly, delivering tangible benefits and driving the future of industrial automation.

Have you seen NoTouch OS in action? Join a weekly demo or download your free trial today

Go to Part 1 of this blog post

author avatar
Silke Telsnig
See Full Bio

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Bridging OT and IT Part 2: How Stratodesk NoTouch OS Enhances the IT-OT Convergence

As organizations continue to adopt connected devices and systems, ensuring seamless integration, security, and performance becomes critical. Stratodesk NoTouch OS for IoT plays a crucial role in this process, offering a unified platform that optimizes the performance of various industrial devices, including industrial thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices. Here’s how NoTouch OS can be beneficial across these environments:

1. One operating system for IT and OT devices

With the hardware agnostic NoTouch OS IT and OT devices can be modernized and standardized. With the Linux-based secure OS, companies can get rid of Windows on the factory floor or in the organization at all. NoToch OS runs on all X86 devices such as panel PCs, terminals, industrial thin clients, rugged laptops or tablets and any kind of office hardware. In addition to that, NoTouch OS also works on Raspberry Pis . 

NoTouch provides connection to Citrix, Microsoft AVD or Windows 365, Horizon and  integrates with IoT and IIot specific applications such as manufacturing execution systems and industry network monitoring solutions. For quick and reliable access to information on the floor, NoTouch supports RFID readers, hand scanners, authentication solutions and digital signage solutions. 

2. Centralized Management Across IT and OT Devices

One of the biggest challenges when integrating IT and OT systems is managing a growing number of devices with different requirements and functions. Devices in OT environments, such as HMIs, panel PCs, Raspberry Pis  and industrial thin clients, are often spread across various production lines, control rooms, and remote locations. In addition, these devices may run different operating systems or have different configurations.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS offers a centralized management platform that simplifies the administration of these diverse devices. IT teams can:

  • Provision devices remotely, ensuring consistent configurations across all endpoints.
  • Apply updates and patches to OT and IT devices simultaneously, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities and downtime.
  • Monitor device health and performance across the entire network, providing real-time insights into the status of all devices, whether in a control room, factory floor, or at the edge of the network.

This centralized management reduces the complexity of overseeing both IT and OT devices, allowing IT teams to maintain control and ensure that systems are secure, up-to-date, and functioning optimally.

3.  Enhanced Security for Both IT and OT Systems

Cybersecurity is a growing concern as the number of connected devices in OT environments expands. In particular, OT systems have historically been vulnerable to cyberattacks due to their isolation from IT systems. With more OT devices becoming connected to IT systems, ensuring comprehensive security is more critical than ever.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS enhances security across both IT and OT environments in several ways:

  • Device Hardening: NoTouch OS is designed with built-in security features that lock down endpoints, ensuring that only authorized applications can run on the devices. This reduces the potential attack surface for malware and unauthorized access.
  • Encryption: All communications between thin clients, HMIs, edge devices, and central systems are encrypted, safeguarding sensitive industrial data.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): NoTouch allows IT administrators to configure precise access control policies for different users, ensuring that personnel only have access to the systems and data relevant to their roles.
  • Support for Industry Standards: NoTouch supports advanced security protocols and industry best practices such as TLS/SSL and VPNs, helping organizations comply with cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443 and NIST.
  • NoTouch also integrates with various authentication providers and methods and for secure access to the devices itself as well to to manufacturing execution systems (MES)
  • NoTouch also supports RFID readers on Panel PCs and industrial thin clients to authenticate using a company ID.

By integrating these security features, Stratodesk NoTouch OS provides robust protection against cyber threats and unauthorized access or use, helping safeguard both IT and OT systems.

4. Optimized for Real-Time Performance and Edge Computing

In OT environments, performance is everything. Automation systems such as robotic arms, conveyor belts, and sensors require real-time processing to ensure smooth and uninterrupted operations. When IT and OT systems are integrated, devices need to be optimized for both real-time control and enterprise-level data processing.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS is optimized for edge computing, which is essential for reducing latency and ensuring that data is processed locally before being sent to central IT systems. This is particularly important in industrial environments where delays can have significant consequences, such as in manufacturing lines or predictive maintenance systems.

Key benefits include:

  • Low Latency: NoTouch OS is designed to support fast, efficient communication between OT devices and the central systems they rely on, minimizing delays and optimizing real-time decision-making.
  • Local Data Processing: With edge devices running NoTouch OS, industrial data can be processed at the device level, reducing the need for constant communication with cloud or data center resources, which can be slower and less reliable.
  • Reliability: NoTouch OS ensures high uptime by optimizing device performance and providing remote monitoring capabilities, making it ideal for real-time industrial environments.

5. Flexibility and Scalability for Growing Industrial Environments

The adoption of IIoT devices and automation technologies is growing rapidly, and the scalability of IT and OT systems is becoming a critical factor in future-proofing industrial operations. As more devices are added, systems need to be able to scale without introducing complexity or compromising security.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS is built for scalability, allowing businesses to easily deploy, manage, and update thousands of thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices across large industrial environments. With NoTouch:

  • Device Deployment: New devices can be added to the network quickly and easily, with minimal configuration required.
  • Automated Provisioning: Devices are automatically provisioned with the right software and settings, ensuring consistency and reducing the burden on IT teams.
  • Seamless Updates: NoTouch OS allows for over-the-air updates, ensuring that all devices are always running the latest version without disrupting operations.

Whether you’re scaling up your operations to meet increased demand or deploying new devices to enhance your automation systems, NoTouch OS offers the flexibility and scalability needed for future growth.

6. Cost-Effective and Long-Term Device Longevity

Industrial devices, such as thin clients and HMIs, often need to endure harsh conditions and have long operational lifespans. The longevity and cost-effectiveness of these devices are critical factors for businesses looking to maximize their investments.

Stratodesk NoTouch OS supports these devices with:

  • Low Resource Consumption: NoTouch is a lightweight OS that requires minimal resources, extending the lifespan of thin clients and edge devices. This makes it ideal for long-term use in environments with demanding conditions.
  • Cost Savings: Thin clients running NoTouch are more affordable than traditional PCs, and because they require less maintenance, businesses save on both hardware and operational costs.

By using NoTouch OS, industrial organizations can ensure that their devices perform reliably over time, without frequent upgrades or replacements.

Conclusion

The convergence of OT and IT is driving unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency across industries, and Stratodesk NoTouch OS is playing a critical role in enabling this transformation. With its ability to support thin clients, HMIs, and edge devices in both IT and OT environments, NoTouch OS offers significant benefits in terms of centralized management, security, real-time performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

As organizations continue to integrate more connected devices and systems, Stratodesk NoTouch OS provides the robust, flexible, and secure foundation needed to ensure smooth, continuous operations in the evolving world of industrial automation. Whether you’re managing devices on the factory floor, remote locations, or in the control room, NoTouch OS ensures that both IT and OT systems can work together seamlessly, delivering tangible benefits and driving the future of industrial automation.

Have you seen NoTouch OS in action? Join a weekly demo or download your free trial today

Go to Part 1 of this blog post

author avatar
Silke Telsnig
See Full Bio
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