Solution architecture integrates technologies into existing businesses and structures. A solution architect uses their knowledge to create plans for integrating systems and improving communication, data flow, and security. They may implement middleware or build new networks, considering project constraints and technology options. Ethernet-to-the-Factory is a type of solution architecture that upgrades legacy hardware and provides modern networking solutions.
The solution architecture evaluates a company’s need for integrating technologies into existing businesses and structures. Typically, a solution architect uses his or her technological knowledge and skills, along with an understanding of standard business, manufacturing, and construction practices, to come up with plans for integrating the systems of different departments within an organization. Organizing all closed systems into one open system enables uniform communications, data flows, security systems, and operational reliability across the enterprise. Every business is different, and it’s likely that every business already has a variety of technology devices. Solution architecture is usually asked to provide solutions that meet the needs of stakeholders, management teams, supply chains and suppliers, for better interactions and productivity in the future.
A solution architect can be hired to provide implementation of some type of middleware, which allows closed systems using different operating systems to interact and share data on dedicated data servers. Middleware is software that sits between operating systems and application software, providing interoperability between databases and legacy operating systems and their newer versions. Also, sometimes a company may need to build a new telecommunications network within the company that connects to or replaces a company’s existing intranet. In a manufacturing facility, a factory’s automation and control systems may require interoperability with management and business departments to increase the flow of information.
An analysis of the existing facilities and business requirements of a facility or enterprise must also consider project constraints, such as those imposed by a project manager’s deliverability of budget and manpower to build solutions for an enterprise. Drawing on a domain architect’s expertise in networks, systems, software, and other domains, a solutions architect can formulate a blueprint and inform users from management onward into the new flow of operations. A solutions architect’s expertise is aided by knowledge of the technology options on the market and how those options may or may not meet the particular needs of the business.
Companies have offered complete solution architecture configurations for changes in manufacturing plants over the past decade. Often, monitoring stations and robotic machinery on a production line may have little reporting capability to produce for corporate offices, supply chains or suppliers. One particular type of solution architecture is known as Ethernet-to-the-Factory (EttF), and this replaces or upgrades much of the legacy hardware on factory floors, as well as providing more modern networking solutions for system manufacturing of databases.
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