The industrial internet of things (IIoT) is the use of smart sensors and actuators to enhance manufacturing and industrial processes. Also known as the industrial internet or Industry 4.0, IIoT leverages the power of real-time analytics to take advantage of the data that dumb machines have produced in industrial settings for years. The driving philosophy behind IIoT is that smart machines are better than humans at capturing and analyzing data in real time. Connected sensors and actuators enable companies to pick up on inefficiencies and problems sooner, and save time and money in addition to supporting business intelligence (BI) efforts. In manufacturing specifically, IIoT holds great potential for quality control, sustainable and green practices, supply chain traceability and overall supply chain efficiency. In an industrial setting, IIoT is key to processes such as predictive maintenance (PdM), enhanced field service, energy management and asset tracking. How IIoT works An IIoT network consists of smart devices that communicate over the internet and create systems that monitor, collect, exchange and analyze data. The goal of an IIoT is to deliver valuable insights that can be used to drive business decisions. An industrial IoT system consists of: - intelligent assets, such as applications, controllers, sensors and security components, that can sense, communicate and store information about themselves;
- data communications infrastructure, or the cloud;
- analytics tools and applications that generate business information from raw data; and
- people involved in the processes.
Edge devices and intelligent assets transmit information directly to the data communications infrastructure, where it is converted into actionable information on how a certain piece of machinery is operating, for instance. This information can then be used for predictive maintenance, as well as to optimize business processes. Benefits of IIoT One of the top touted benefits the industrial internet of things affords businesses is predictive maintenance. This involves organizations using real-time data generated from IIoT systems to predict defects in machinery, for example, before they occur, enabling companies to take action to address those issues before a part fails or a machine goes down. Another common benefit is improved field service. IIoT technologies help field service technicians identify and resolve potential issues in customer equipment before they become major issues or an inconvenience to customers. Asset tracking is another IIoT perk. Suppliers, manufacturers and customers can use asset management systems to track the location, status and condition of products throughout the supply chain. The system will send instant alerts to stakeholders if the goods are damaged or at risk of being damaged, giving them the chance to take immediate or preventive action to remedy the situation. IIoT also permits enhanced customer satisfaction. When products are connected to the internet of things, the manufacturer can capture and analyze data about how customers use their products, enabling manufacturers and product designers to tailor future IoT devices and build more customer-centric product roadmaps. IIoT also improves facility management. As manufacturing equipment is susceptible to wear and tear, as well as certain conditions within a factory, sensors can monitor vibrations, temperature and other factors that might lead to operating conditions that are less than optimal. Continue reading... |
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