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So what is the IIoT?
For decades, the manufacturing world has been using the machine-to-machine (M2M) model.
Each plant was designed to have machines interconnected but only within the plant, but there was no way to communicate with other factories or to the Internet.
For many manufacturers, that was just fine. The Internet can be a scary place.
How Can IIoT Improve Your Manufacturing Business?
With more manufacturing equipment coming pre-installed with IoT (Internet of Things) sensors installed, it’s become easier to use IIoT.
Here are some ways using IIoT will improve your manufacturing process.
On any day, at any time, and anywhere in the world. Including remote locations, supplier’s factories or subcontracted manufacturing plants.
Using IIoT technology will enable you to enjoy:
- Increase in Productivity
- Hands on Visibility
- Control Capabilities
It will allow a manager to check:
- Machines
- Schedules
- Inventories
- Goods in Transit
It will allow an executive to:
- Study Performance
- Analyze Reports
All without having to go to the office!
How Can My Company Implement IIoT?
If your company is new to IIoT, then start small and build your way up.
Here are some ways your company can begin to implement IIoT.
- Identify Potential: What data is currently unavailable to you at your plant? Environmental data, production data, and data related to your batch process all might be currently unavailable to the people who need it most.
- Collect Data: What data does your business currently have available? Where can you install a sensor to gather data that might be potentially time and cost saving? Installing the right equipment or improving your current equipment will allow you to automate and receive the data you need to run your business more efficiently.
- Analyze: Centralize your data and then analyze the information. Look to see where you can optimize business. Also, look for where you can cross-analyze data with production.
What about Security Concerns?
Security is a huge concern with any manufacturing business looking to convert to IIOT.
Luckily security is addressed by the industry and rollouts are expected to take place in 2017.
Before choosing an IIoT technology company, each business should ask themselves:
- What Are My Business Needs vs. Wants?
- What Regulatory Considerations Need to Be Made?
- What Will Be Automated? What Won’t?
- What Happens During a Failure?
- What Data is Being Collected?
- What Are the Security Mechanisms? Can I Understand What They Are and What They Do?
- Is There A Fail-Safe in Case of Emergency?
- What Threats Am I Most Concerned About?
It’s important to work with the right company to deliver to you the best technology for your business’s needs.
There are a lot of decisions to be made before you begin to implement IIoT successfully.