Industrial IoT: Understanding the Basics

Currently, in the time of the upcoming fourth industrial revolution, it is more than important to understand the basics of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Its main goal is to provide smart solutions to manufacturing industries. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) provides a range of benefits for manufacturers. It can help reduce maintenance costs, improve efficiency, and lower unproductive periods. It can even be used in manufacturing industries to develop innovative products. So, as you see, IoT devices can greatly help companies improve their operations. There are numerous IoT applications and they are constantly evolving.

If your business relies on smart tracking devices, it can improve operations by keeping track of goods in transit. By monitoring their location, status, and condition, these tools can even track customer satisfaction. And if you’re a rental company, you can even automate the self-return of equipment. Actually, a lot of global companies have already started using IoT-connected devices. For example, Ericsson has collaborated with an outdoor power generation tool manufacturer and equipment rental service to create a proof-of-concept device. In the long run, industrial IoT (IIoT) helps manufacturers increase efficiency in production and maintenance processes.

Besides providing more information about product performance, IIoT also improves operational efficiencies. Rather than relying on human labor, IIoT allows people and technologies to communicate and cooperate. It can make manufacturing faster and more cost-effective. It can also improve the security architectures of production facilities. Finally, it can lead to substantial savings for industrial companies. Smart devices can be used in factories worldwide which gives a great space for the development of the Industrial Internet of Things.

What is IoT?

IoT is a growing technology in the industrial sphere with plenty of potential use cases. It connects everyday objects to the internet, allowing them to communicate and be controlled from anywhere in the real world using different third-party devices. With IoT, many industrial sectors will experience a range of benefits, improving their business models, dealing with raw data, and organizing asset performance management. The oil and gas industry will have enough industrial data for early detection of manufacturing equipment malfunctioning. The connected home devices, in turn, can also cut monthly expenses contributing to cost savings. Home appliances integrated into industry 4.0 can save time for fixing, close common use cases, and simplify jobs for service providers. Adjusting the temperature based on the weather can save a lot of money and be good on energy consumption. This technology will also reduce energy costs opening new ways of saving. It is becoming possible for appliances and other devices to be programmed through the internet.

How Does Industrial IoT Works?

You may have a question about what is industrial IoT and how it works. The term Industrial Internet of Things is way more niche than IoT in general, which makes its understanding that important. Generally, the industrial IoT is an ecosystem of interconnected objects and computing devices. Every object can connect to a network to exchange collected data. It’s quite easy to connect machines and multiple devices to an IP network and set the regular data analysis. This allows for real-time data to be shared easily with other users involved in plant operations. It also helps manufacturers reduce their costs and improve the quality of their products. Manufacturers can significantly benefit from the benefits IIoT technologies can bring.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a network of edge devices that connects machines. It connects machines and sensors in high-risk industries. What is more, the Industrial Internet of Things technology is becoming an essential part of the modern manufacturing industry due to its energy efficiency, remote access, and advanced analytics. IIoT adoption will maximize uptime, contribute to increased value, and improve business outcomes.

Previously, operations teams have relied on schedule-based maintenance, which relies on limited analytics from control system interfaces. They have had to manually collect data for maintenance. This is costly, and the failure rates are unpredictable, so it is difficult to plan production processes effectively. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), in turn, offers a smart solution, which can significantly streamline operations. The smart sensors in the system can continuously monitor the condition of all the physical devices. They track temperature, pressure, vibration frequency, and other metrics to determine their performance.

Difference between IoT and IIoT

Generally, IIoT is a type of IoT. The former is a form of the Internet of Things that connects hardware and software components. The latter is more flexible and allows for greater integration of different types of devices and software into one system. Both technologies speak “the same language” and work following the same algorithm.  In the case of IIoT, the technology is an integral part of the overall operating process. It provides real-time information and is crucial for manufacturing and other industries.

Implementation

The difference between IoT and IIoT lies in how these two technologies are implemented. IoT uses inexpensive connected sensors and devices for consumer convenience. IIoT uses more sophisticated devices to extend existing manufacturing and supply chain management systems, providing broader visibility and automated controls as well as increasingly accomplished analytics. Both technologies provide users with real-time data acquisition and increase operational efficiency.

In industrial environments, IIoT devices and applications are designed for rugged conditions, which makes them highly reliable and useful for predictive maintenance. These devices are usually can be accessed from remote locations and can monitor infrastructures without human assistance, sending all the big data analytics to the cloud platform and cloud storage. As a result, they require stronger communication protocols than IoT devices.

Integration

While IoT systems use cloud-based computing to connect and monitor devices, IIoT systems integrate sensors in the field. Then, these devices use data analytics to identify patterns, which improves product and service quality in smart factories. By incorporating both types of technologies, IIoT systems are designed to streamline production processes and improve the overall user experience. This approach is already being used in industrial operations. What is more, IIoT is expected to speed up the adoption of smart products and services precisely in the manufacturing industry within smart grids.

One more difference between IIoT and IoT is the level of integration. IoT is generally more flexible, while IIoT tends to be more complex. IIoT devices have many more applications and capabilities, and they are vital for the future of any gas industry. Industrial IoT platforms enable the creation and use of new products that are more tailored to specific needs.

Application Pool

In contrast to IoT, IIoT is a network of connected and smart devices for industrial applications. While IoT is a network of consumer-based devices, IIoT is a network of industrial processes that are connected to each other. This type of technology is used to collect data and improve industrial processes.

The IIoT is more complex and expensive. It uses sensors and analytics to predict trends in the digital transformation sphere and make predictions to enhance manufacturing. The IIoT technology will also grow in scale, but the more advanced devices will be more expensive for device manufacturers. IIoT devices will be more powerful once they become mainstream and reach consumers. A significant advantage to both of these technologies is that they enable real-time decision-making. The more sophisticated these devices are, the more benefits they can provide to businesses. Both IoT and IIoT are good fits for businesses.

What Industries Can Use Industrial Internet of Things?

If you never used industrial IoT services for your business, you may not be sure whether IIoT systems or cyber-physical systems are suitable for your business. That is why it will be really helpful for you to discover all the opportunities industrial automation devices and the industrial Internet consortium can bring. With a basic understanding of how to use an internet-connected appliance, you will be able to successfully automate tasks and integrate cutting-edge computing devices into your business.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a technology that can transform many industries, from the agriculture industry, innovational technology companies, automotive industry, and top industrial IoT companies to smart cities and power and robotics firm. IIoT projects with or without industrial robots typically aim to automate, save, or optimize processes. These projects help companies with their goals and strategies that include innovation, customer-centric service offerings, and data-driven revenues. Industrial IoT also helps to create connected ecosystems of value for businesses and helps them to be part of the digital transformation of entire industries.

Engineering Industry

IIoT is greatly beneficial to process engineers. A digital manufacturing initiative in the engineering industry can help to store data more efficiently, establish energy management, and facilitate data collection. In traditional processes, engineers have to manually collect data, aggregate, analyze data, and perform manual data visualization. But with consumer IoT-enabled operations and wearable devices, these tasks can be automated and workers can focus on improving processes rather than analyzing data integration and data sources.

Mining Industry

The mining industry also has a lot to gain from IIoT. The mining industry faces increasing pressure to produce more raw materials. Over the next decade, the Internet of Things will be used to help manage these resources. Using cameras, sensors, and underground Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks, it will be possible to balance the many different aspects of a situation. Ultimately, the IIoT technology will allow mining operations to shift from manual processes to algorithms.

The adoption of IoT in mining is really helpful regardless of the company’s specificity. Whether IoT device is underground, near the surface, or in the field, it helps the company improve productivity, lower costs, and boost efficiency. By connecting industrial equipment and vehicles to the cloud, the mining industry can collect more data than ever before. This means that the equipment can be remotely controlled and the operator can control it even from a smartphone app. AI analytics will help mining companies identify the most important information and optimize processes. By using real-time data generated from the IIoT, there will be a space for machine learning, which will help mining companies to make more informed decisions.

Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturing industries can also benefit from the IIoT. By using RFID tags in their facilities, IoT-enabled sensors can monitor temperature and pressure, ensuring they stay within prescribed limits. Similarly, IIoT-enabled sensors can help manufacturers save energy and reduce costs. By monitoring machine intelligence performance, the technology can optimize the use of different facilities, and reduce operational risk. If implemented correctly, IIoT can dramatically change the way products are made.

For manufacturing, IIoT offers sensors that can detect hazardous working conditions and alert workers and supervisors. Some manufacturing companies have started integrating IIoT into their manufacturing processes in order to boost efficiency not only on the shop floor but beyond the factory floor at all. For example, a car with an IoT-enabled system can calculate a trip’s duration and check traffic conditions. Refrigerators can also correlate temperature with desired temperatures, and air conditioning systems can automatically adjust to the current weather. Predictive analytics available with IIoT deployments will generate actionable insights into asset condition monitoring, business processes, electric utilities, and digital tools. Now, this emerging technology is started to be widely used in the stage of manufacturing, so the products have already integrated sensors when they are released for sale.

The Internet of Things is becoming increasingly important in manufacturing. Its advantages are both technological and economic, and it is already starting to affect a number of industries, including aviation. It will continue to be an important tool in the long run for manufacturers. Using the Internet of Things (IoT) will help manufacturers to increase product quality and reduce costs. Poor setup or calibration is one of the most common causes of product quality degradation. Measured machine signals are a good indicator of machine performance, and intelligent devices can really help with it. The IoT will help monitor these signals and report any deviations from ideal working conditions, enhancing workplace safety. As a result, close observation of machinery will ensure that product quality and reliability are maintained.

The use of IoT can also lead to new revenue streams. For example, the use of connected products can help manufacturers shift from selling physical products to providing experiences, which is a key business model for today’s marketplace. With the IoT in place, it’s possible to anticipate issues before they arise and prevent them from occurring.

Logistics

Internet-connected devices play an important role in logistics management. These IIoT devices can be used for radio frequency identification of trucks, monitoring the physical objects on the move, and even insurance of worker safety on the road. IIoT is becoming a vital component of the digital economy and is transforming the world we live in. While the Internet of Things has changed the face of many industries, logistics is one of the leading industries. IoT devices help companies monitor their supply chains and improve employee productivity. So as you see, in logistics, aside from allowing companies to track and manage their inventory, industrial gateway IoT, smart machines, and artificial intelligence applications can also improve the safety of their employees and their customers.

Speaking about logistics, we should note that it is not only about trucks and on-land transportation. Aircraft manufacturing companies also have recently started using IoT-based industrial security system to detect issues and improve performance. The access is granted only after entering personally identifiable information and intelligent machines share data only with authorized users. In turn, this machine-to-machine innovational technology can increase productivity without the need for additional personnel.

Healthcare

The most common industries are manufacturing and logistics. But IoT is not limited to these industries. For example, IoT technology now is more popular in the healthcare industry. Medical devices really require close control and monitoring, so IoT industrial technology can be the simplest and the most effective solution. IoT industrial (IIoT) applications can track components of medical kits, components for the production of certain meds, and other critical healthcare processes.

IoT is already used by a range of medical institutions. For example, an international manufacturer of medical equipment, Medivators, successfully integrated solutions into its services across the globe. The company saw a 78% increase in service issues and events, without adding an additional workforce. Such an increase without additional personnel will be not only useful but also a cost-effective solution.

Other Industries

There is also a need to mention a range of other industries, where you can apply IoT. IoT can reduce lead times and increase flexibility in goods production. It can help factories optimize inventory and asset management. It can also improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs. In addition to manufacturing, IoT is a great tool for monitoring the health and safety of production fields alongside with asset health. A manufacturing company can use IoT sensors to gather data from multiple sources and analyze the information. It will be a good platform for creating a data center, where all IIoT data and machine data can be stored and used to optimize operations when needed. In some industries, IoT devices can be used in production lines and in remote areas to monitor assets. It can even be integrated with operational technology such as smart packaging.

What is more, IoT technology can be applied even in the banking industry. A bank that uses sensors will be able to know which of its ATMs is more efficient. These applications are just some of the many industries that can take advantage of IoT. Besides, IoT devices in the banking industry will significantly increase cyber security in the sphere. With IoT device proliferation, improved efficiency, partner solutions aimed at equipment lifespan extension, and resolution of security concerns can be a reality.

Main Benefits of Industrial IoT

Predictive Maintenance of Connected Devices

When it comes to IoT, there are many benefits for companies of all sizes. For example, the ability to detect malfunctions early can save millions in the global process industry. And with the ability to send out alerts when something goes wrong, operators can take immediate action before it becomes a bigger problem. IoT sensors and industrial control systems can help equipment rental companies implement preventative maintenance. By cutting the costs of sending mechanics into the field, monitoring solutions can be used to help avoid costly breakdowns.

As you can see, IIoT solutions can significantly improve the manufacturing process while reducing costs. One of the main applications of IIoT is predictive maintenance. Machines that break down and cause emergency situations can cost millions of dollars of productivity. By using IIoT devices, predictive maintenance can be automated, reducing the need for manual intervention. Universal connectivity available with the new technology will provide insights into the value chain to solve maintenance issues as soon as they arise. One of the best practices of IoT is the ability of the devices to identify potential issues and suggest either the other way of doing a particular activity or preventive measures.

Optimization of Operational Efficiency

Besides saving money, another benefit of industrial IoT is its potential to make manufacturing processes more efficient. However, it presents a number of new challenges, which may prevent most companies from taking advantage of its benefits. A major challenge for many industries is the inability to keep a strong focus on actionable information. Currently, most companies have invested in operational data technology, which is not designed to connect beyond the local network of a smart factory. Additionally, the data stream generated by these devices must be routed back into existing data management software systems. That is why for effective work of connected devices it is necessary to approach the choice of industrial IoT automation systems wisely.

The benefits of Industrial IoT are really numerous. It helps manage the resources of cities. For example, digital transformation efforts enable garbage trucks to optimize their routes and reduce the number of emissions they produce. Using industrial IoT technology in cities can help manage resources and enhance efficiency.

Process Optimization

The industrial IoT can help businesses improve processes. By collecting data from sensors, businesses can automate processes and optimize production lines. Usually, IoT industrial sensors are connected to a cloud computing system. This way, companies can access information from anywhere they want. They can monitor their production line and use predictive maintenance. Then, they can also monitor and automate their supply chain. In addition, they can save on costs by reducing human intervention with the wide opportunities IIoT technologies provide.

A company can use IoT in many ways, including manufacturing. For instance, a factory may be able to monitor its workers’ productivity. By using IoT, factories can also track how well they are performing. It can also improve the quality of products and services. The IoT in industrial settings can improve safety. Companies can monitor their employees’ safety by implementing an IoT-based mobile device.

What Can TEKTELIC Offer for Industrial IoT?

TEKTELIC is a global supplier of LoRaWAN gateways, sensors, and connectivity solutions. TEKTELIC’s Industrial IoT gateways have the ability to support dual LoRa antennas. This gives your IIoT devices high-speed connectivity. Additionally, dual-band LoRaWAN gateways provide symmetric uplink and downlink operations. This provides better spectrum utilization and higher downlink capacity. Besides, a TEKTELIC LoRaWAN gateway supports two LoRa antennas, giving you the option to connect to multiple wireless networks.

TEKTELIC offers a wide range of industrial IoT solutions. One such product is the TEKTELIC TUNDRA Sensor, which allows users to monitor extreme temperatures and pressures. It has a long battery life and can be applied in factories where the operation is connected to extreme temperatures. The best feature about this device is the possibility to apply it in logistics, monitoring the products stored on the move and even with low power. Inventory management will benefit from this device as well because with TUNDRA you will be aware of asset presence and quantity to prevent unplanned downtime.

Another perfect choice for industrial asset tracking is ORCA. This device can track the geo-position of different machine assets in the field and quickly transceive the information to the cloud, where users can easily access it. This asset tracker can be the first internet-connected appliance in your business since it is really easy to deploy and connect to already existing information technology. It has high business value because ORCA is not solely logistics device, it can be applied in a broader context. What is more, ORCA can work in an environment with extreme temperatures, which makes this device ideal for industrial use. It can be integrated as an IIoT solution for new business opportunities in facility management. ORCA is easy to set up and deploy without field service technicians or specific actions, so common frontline workers can do it themselves.

How to Get Started?

If you’re new to IIoT, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. It’s not an easy technology to implement, so you should start small and test the waters with a small project. Choose one problem to measure or improve and get started on that. You’ll learn the technology, as well as how your company can operate with it.

The main thing is to choose the right guide, who can help you onboard into the world of IoT technology. With a company that supports you, and consult on any questions emerging, you will have an opportunity to integrate IoT in your industry smoothly and successfully.

So, if you’re looking for a reliable partner to get started with Industrial IoT, don’t be afraid to start working with TEKTELIC.