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Charles Smith
Williams Companies
OT Digital Strategy
Charles Smith is a seasoned IT & OT professional with 27 years of experience in designing and implementing cutting-edge solutions for various industries such as agriculture, food manufacturing, and midstream energy sectors. Over the past 15 years, Charles has concentrated his expertise on edge data acquisition solutions and SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technologies, helping businesses harness the power of data for informed decision-making.
Currently, Charles is driving the OT (Operational Technology) Digital Strategy at Williams Companies, a leading organization in the energy sector. His responsibilities include leveraging edge technology to bolster cybersecurity, enhance data resolution, and integrate AI, machine learning, and predictive maintenance tools. As part of his role, Charles is also committed to reducing deployment and management costs, ensuring a streamlined and cost-effective approach to technology implementation.
Charles' extensive experience and dedication to embracing innovative solutions have positioned him as a thought leader in the IT & OT sectors, and his work continues to impact the digital transformation journey of the industries he serves.
Presentations
Consideration for edge compute in manufacturing operations
This presentation identifies several key considerations manufacturers must evaluate before implementing edge compute solutions, including system architecture, network connectivity, data privacy and security, scalability, and energy consumption. To implement edge computing effectively, manufacturers must also assess the hardware and software requirements, partnerships with third-party vendors, and training for their workforce. By taking these considerations into account, manufacturers can ensure that their edge compute solutions are cost-effective, secure, and scalable in the long term, leading to increased efficiency, productivity, and profitability.