Today’s manufacturers need to work extra hard to keep up with market trends, global competition, and ever-changing customer demand. Implementing the industrial internet of things (IIOT) is the solution to keep up with demand. IIOT is the next level of Internet of Things, and it has the amazing ability to transform manufacturing by streamlining the process, cutting costs, and maximizing workforce efficiency.
What is the Industrial Internet of Things?
The IIOT is the use of smart sensors, devices, and equipment in an industrial setting where they connect with each other to improve industrial and manufacturing operations.
Digitization of manufacturing operations is a must to ensure the system runs smoothly. There are four main aspects that must be present before a manufacturer can operate IIOT fully. The four main aspects are smart machines equipped with smart sensors, a cloud computing system, an advanced data analytic system, and a capable employee who can run the system properly.
Based on those four aspects, there are literally hundreds and thousands of devices that were used in the IIOT. Some of the most common examples are web cameras, 3D printers, barcode scanners, RFID tags, and different kinds of sensors to measure different things such as temperature, vibration, humidity, and so on.
Benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things
A fully operated IIOT brings huge benefits to the manufacturing industries:
- Higher work and productivity efficiency
Automation is one of the biggest benefits that a manufacturer can derive from this. Automated robots and machinery are able to work more efficiently and accurately, thus boosting work and productivity while at the same time reducing the risk of injury. - Less error
Human error happens all the time and poses a risk to the employee and the manufacturing company. By using artificial intelligence and machinery to reduce manual processes, the company will be able to reduce the number of errors that happen. - Predictive maintenance
The ability to predict much-needed maintenance will prevent the manufacturing operation from having machine downtime. - Improve safety
The IIOT helps create smart manufacturing, which also equals smart security. The integrated system will continuously monitor the safety of the work environment and, thus, the safety of the employee. - Cutting down costs
The IIOT provides the knowledge and tools to improve work efficiency and productivity for more revenue while reducing costs at the same time.
How to Use the Industrial Internet of Things
The benefits of IIOT are practically limitless. The manufacturing company can use this technology in various aspects of the company, and they can start it within these three categories:
- Automation
Automation is the name of the day. Automation will do the tasks automatically at the right time with the right amount and speed, and everything will be done accurately and specifically. - Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance uses smart sensors to detect the slightest change within the system, report the change immediately to management, and start the maintenance process before downtime. - Remote monitoring
Through a single dashboard, the operator can easily monitor the machine and equipment functionality throughout the entire production floor.
The Industrial Internet of Things Challenge
The IIOT in manufacturing companies has its own challenges that need to be addressed before implementing the system. The common challenges that could stump the success of IIOT are:
- Cybersecurity risk is the biggest issue that must be addressed before starting the system.
- Lack of IoT experience It is critical to train employees so they can adapt to the system.
- improper organizational alignment. The IIOT is not just a single part of the system. It encompasses everything, so the company needs to be sure that everything and everyone are fully aware of it.
Integrating the whole IIOT can start by choosing the right location to build the factory. Subang Smarpolitan is an industrial area that is supported by smart infrastructure in the form of advanced technology and the internet of things. The availability of smart infrastructure such as this one will make the IIOT’s implementation in manufacturing far easier.
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