Connecting People, Parts and Processes with Tego’s Tim Butler

Welcome to another episode of the IT/OT Insider Podcast. Today, we’re diving into visibility, traceability, and real-time analytics with Tim Butler, CEO and founder of Tego.

For the last 20 years, Tego has been specializing in tracking and managing critical assets in industries like aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and energy. The company designed the world’s first rugged, high-memory passive UHF RFID chip, helping companies like Airbus and Boeing digitize lifecycle maintenance on their aircraft.

It’s a fascinating topic—how do you keep track of assets that move across the world every day? How do you embed intelligence directly into physical components? How does all of this connect to the broader challenge of IT and OT convergence? And… how do you create a unified view that connects people, parts, and processes to business outcomes?

Let’s dive in!

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From Serial Entrepreneur to Asset Intelligence

Tim’s journey into asset intelligence started 20 years ago, when he saw a major opportunity in industrial RFID technology.

"At the time, RFID chips had only 96 or 128 bits of storage. That was enough for a serial number, but not much else. We set out to design a chip that could hold thousands of times more memory—and that completely changed the game."

That chip became the foundation for Tego’s work in aerospace.

* Boeing and Airbus needed a better way to track assets on planes.

* Maintenance logs and compliance records needed to (virtually) move with the asset itself.

* Standard RFID solutions didn’t have enough memory or durability to survive extreme conditions.

By designing high-memory RFID chips, Tego helped digitize aircraft maintenance and inventory management. They co-authored the ATA Spec 2000 Chapter 9-5 standards that are now widely used in aerospace.

"The challenge was clear—planes fly all over the world, so the data needed to travel with them. We had to embed intelligence directly into the assets themselves."

A Real-World Use Case: Tracking Aircraft Components with RFID

One of the best examples of Tego’s impact is in the aerospace industry.

The Challenge:

* Aircraft components need regular maintenance and compliance tracking.

* Traditional tracking methods relied on centralized databases, which weren’t always accessible.

* When a plane lands, maintenance teams need instant access to accurate, up-to-date records.

The Solution:

* Every critical component (seats, life vests, oxygen generators, galley equipment, etc.) is tagged with a high-memory RFID chip (yes, also the one underneath your next airplane seat probably has one 🙂).

* When a technician scans a tag, they instantly access the asset’s history.

The Impact:

* Reduced maintenance delays—Technicians no longer have to search for data across multiple systems.

* Improved traceability—Every asset has a digital history that travels with it.

* Compliance enforcement—Airlines can quickly verify whether components meet regulatory requirements.

"This isn’t just about making inventory tracking easier. It’s about ensuring safety, reducing downtime, and making compliance effortless."

The IT vs. OT Divide in Aerospace

A major theme of our podcast is the convergence of IT and OT—and in aerospace, that divide is particularly pronounced.

Tim breaks it down:

* IT teams manage enterprise data—ERP systems, databases, and security.

* OT teams manage physical assets—maintenance operations, plant floors, and repair workflows.

* Both need access to the same data, but they use it differently.

"IT thinks in terms of databases and networks. OT thinks in terms of real-world processes. The goal isn’t just connecting IT and OT—it’s making sure they both get the data they need in a usable way."

The Future of AI and Asset Intelligence

With all the buzz around AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), we asked Tim how these technologies are impacting industrial asset intelligence.

His take? AI is only as good as the data feeding it.

"If you don’t have structured, reliable data, AI can’t do much for you. That’s why asset intelligence matters—it gives AI the high-quality data it needs to make meaningful predictions."

Some of the key trends he sees:

* AI-powered maintenance recommendations—Analyzing historical asset data to predict failures before they happen.

* Automated compliance checks—Using AI to validate and flag compliance issues before inspections.

* Smart inventory optimization—Ensuring that spare parts are always available where they’re needed most.

But the biggest challenge? Data consistency.

"AI works best when it has standardized, structured data. That’s why using industry standards—like ATA Spec 2000 for aerospace—is so important."

Final Thoughts

Industrial asset intelligence is evolving rapidly, and Tego is leading the way in making assets smarter, more traceable, and more autonomous.

From tracking aircraft components to ensuring regulatory compliance in pharma, Tego’s technology blends physical and digital worlds, making it easier for companies to manage assets at a global scale.

Together with Tego, businesses create a single source of truth for people, processes, and parts that empowers operations with the vision to move forward.

If you’re interested in learning more about Tego and their approach to asset intelligence, visit www.tegoinc.com.

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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.

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