The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is Changing Manufacturing for the Better
The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought us many luxuries including smart home automation, health and fitness technology, and distance-defying communication. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is now bringing similar conveniences to manufacturers across the globe. Applying the IIoT to advanced manufacturing is becoming a top priority as it can impact safety, production, and other fields in a significant way. Even with all the possibilities, however, some manufactures are still wondering whether or not they should implement the new technology.
At Sivad, we believe the IIoT can change manufacturing for the better with revolutionary improvements.
What is the IIoT?
The Industrial Internet of Things is simply the connection of intelligent machines, computers, and devices over a network that allows for the collection and analyzation of data. The data that computers collect is shared with users in order to gain insight, provide recommendations, and utilize for improvements in efficiency, productivity, or safety.
How the IIoT is Benefitting Advanced Manufacturing
With the implementation of the IIoT in advanced manufacturing, improvements in automation, maintenance, safety standards, and more are possible. The computers are able to collect and analyze larger amounts of data at a faster rate than their human counterparts, alerting and communicating critical information in real time. This faster communication allows the decision makers to take action faster in turn.
Maintenance is one significant area that IIoT is affecting. As production can be tracked and analyzed at a granular degree, small or potential problems can be addressed before they become serious. Glitches, part depreciation, and product damage can be detected and corrected early. This advancement in predictive maintenance can save manufacturers millions of dollars in downtime.
Other areas that IIoT can benefit within advanced manufacturing include:
- Customer Satisfaction
- Energy Consumption
- Floor Management
- Inventory
- Logistics
- Safety
- Security
- Transportation
Why Some Are Resistant to the Change
Some companies are resistant to implementing IIoT because of security and operation cost concerns. Like any other system that is hooked into the internet, there is a risk of hacking and data theft. In addition, this new technology is still being perfected. So, systems acquired from one company may not work properly with older systems or systems acquired from a different supplier. The purchase of multiple systems can increase price dramatically.
In addition, this new technology requires people who are trained and skilled in working with machines, analyzing data, and implementing technical actions. Companies are understandably worried that they do not have the right staff to use the IIoT to its full potential.
While the risks seem great, the reward can be even greater. The IIoT has a great future in advanced manufacturing and many companies are now hopping on board to reap those benefits.
IIoT’s Future in Advanced Manufacturing
In the end, the implementation of IIoT in advanced manufacturing is allowing products to be produced faster, maintenance to become predictive, and decisions to be made more accurately at a quicker rate. While upfront costs and security issues may seem concerning, advancements to address these concerns are taking place daily.
Personnel concerns are easily addressed by companies like Sivad. At Sivad, we train employees in advanced manufacturing with real-world technology and scenarios. Companies are able to get their workforce up to speed on IIoT advancements quickly and use it to improve their operations.
Overall, the benefits of the IIoT in advanced manufacturing far outweigh the risks, especially with improvements happening on a regular basis. To learn more about advanced manufacturing implementation and training opportunities, contact us at Sivad today.