Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Nikki Gonzales, Director of Business Development at Weintek USA, co-founder of the Automation Ladies podcast, and co-organizer of OT SCADA CON—a conference focused on the gritty, real-world challenges of industrial automation.
Unlike many of our guests who often come from cloud-first, data-driven digitalization backgrounds, Nikki brings a refreshing and much-needed OT floor-level perspective. Her world is HMI screens, SCADA systems, manufacturers, machine builders, and the hard truths about where industry transformation actually stands today.
What’s an HMI and Why Does It Matter?
In Nikki’s words, an HMI is:
"The bridge between the operator, the machine, and the greater plant network."
It’s often misunderstood as just a touchscreen replacement for buttons—but Nikki highlights that a modern HMI can do much more:
Act as a gateway between isolated machines and plant-level networks.
Enable remote access, alarm management, and contextual data sharing.
Help standardize connectivity in mixed-vendor environments.
The HMI is often the first step in connecting legacy equipment to broader digital initiatives.
Industry 3.0 vs. Industry 4.0: Ground Reality Check
While the industry buzzes with Industry 4.0 (and 5.0 🙃) concepts, Nikki’s view from the field is sobering:
"Most small manufacturers are still living in Industry 3.0—or earlier. They have mixed equipment, proprietary protocols, and minimal digitalization."
For the small manufacturers Nikki works with, transformation isn't about launching huge digital projects. It’s about taking incremental steps:
Upgrading a handful of sensors.
Introducing remote monitoring.
Standardizing alarm management.
Gradually building operational visibility.
"Transformation for small companies isn’t about fancy AI. It’s about survival—staying competitive, keeping workers, and staying in business."
With labor shortages, supply chain pressures, and rising cybersecurity threats, smaller manufacturers must adapt—but they have to do it in a way that is affordable, modular, and low-risk.
UNS, SCADA, and the State of Connectivity
Nikki also touched on how concepts like UNS (Unified Namespace) are being discussed:
"Everyone talks about UNS and cloud-first strategies. But in reality, most plants still have islands of automation. They have to bridge old PLCs, proprietary protocols, and aging SCADA systems first."
While UNS represents a desirable goal—a real-time, unified data model accessible across the enterprise—many manufacturers are years (or even decades) away from making that a reality without significant groundwork first.
In this world, HMI upgrades, standardized communication protocols (like MQTT), and targeted SCADA modernization become the critical building blocks.
The Human Challenge: Culture and Workforce
Beyond the technology, Nikki highlighted the human side of transformation:
Younger generations aren't attracted to repetitive, low-tech manufacturing jobs.
Manual, isolated processes make hiring and retention even harder.
Manufacturers must rethink how technology supports not just efficiency, but employee satisfaction.
The future of manufacturing depends not just on smarter machines—but on designing operations that attract and empower the next generation of workers.
Organizing a Conference from Scratch: OT SCADA CON
Before wrapping up, we asked Nikki about organizing OT SCADA CON.
"You need a little naivety, a lot of persistence, and the right partners. We jumped first, then figured out how to build the plane on the way down."
OT SCADA CON is designed by practitioners for practitioners—short technical sessions, no vendor pitches, no buzzword bingo. Just real, practical advice for the engineers, integrators, and plant technicians who make industrial operations work.
Final Thoughts
In a world obsessed with the future, Nikki reminds us:
You can't build Industry 4.0 without first fixing Industry 3.0.
And fixing it starts with respecting the complexity, valuing the small steps, and supporting the people on the ground who keep manufacturing running.
If you want to learn more about Nikki’s work, visit automationladies.io and check out OT SCADA CON, taking place July 23–25, 2025.
Stay Tuned for More!
Subscribe to our podcast and blog to stay updated on the latest trends in Industrial Data, AI, and IT/OT convergence.
🚀 See you in the next episode!
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheITOTInsider
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify Podcasts:
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The IT/OT Insider. This content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be seen as an endorsement by The IT/OT Insider of any products, services, or strategies discussed. We encourage our readers and listeners to consider the information presented and make their own informed decisions.
Share this post