The operative key words to unravel “commodity IT”. MFG’s typically buy machine centers from Other Equipment MFG (OEM’s). OEM’s build machine like blow molders, packaging lines or a reactors, mixing and blending vessels, etc. OEM’s have a business interest to protect in regards to service and support contract futures. OEM’s are more interested in keeping those silos place than integrating into a converged MFG plant floor strategy. Until MFGs who ultimately buy from OEM’s demand a basic level of compliance in regards to commodity based IT solutions and systems, a.k.a standards. MFG’s will continue to be handcuffed and cutoff from seamlessly collecting, monitoring and passing data in a proactive and effective manner to key decision makers. Think what happens to car warranty if you start swapping out components with “aftermarket” products. Even if the aftermarket product is equal to or superior the OEM will void the warranty and threatened cutting off support. Not all IT commodity components are equal. It is important to distinguish best in class enterprise IT solutions compared to IT solutions bought by an OEM looking to cut their cost in order to win the business. I could quite figure out why a MFG would by a $40 million dollar packaging line and use a $100 network switch along with a $3000 standalone computer wrapped in a NEMA enclosure. MFG’s today need to plan for 10’s or 100’s thousands of devices to be connected to their plant network. Your reactor OEM installing a $100 unmanaged switch in your environment is NOT a path to success moving towards the spirit of IoE. The same discussion can be said about virtualization of SCADA systems and other MFG appliances that are basically computers distributed (decentralized – computing) on the plant floor.