I could say: It’s all about connectivity. And this would be the shortest blog post ever written. But of course, it doesn’t end there. It’s a topic that demands more than four words of explication.
What Is the IIoT?
This definition provided by rti is perfect.
“The Industrial Internet of Things (Industrial IoT) is made up of a multitude of devices connected by communications software. The resulting systems, and even the individual devices that comprise it, can monitor, collect, exchange, analyze, and instantly act on information to intelligently change their behavior or their environment — all without human intervention.”
What Is the Difference between IoT and IIoT?
One way of looking at it is to view the IoT as the aggregate of connected smart consumer devices, such as you might find in so-called smart homes. For example, refrigerators that monitor the expiration dates of their contents.
The IIoT, on the other hand, connects critical machines and sensors in various industrial settings.
The Role of the IIoT in Manufacturing
It’s not as if manufacturers have not had sensors and automated data collection (ADC) devices operating on their plant floors for decades. They have. But the missing link has been connectivity. Think of the IIoT as the infrastructure for making those connections.
There are two ways that IIoT can play a critical role in manufacturing environments. It can connect the “things” that make your product—machines and equipment—to improve your manufacturing processes. And, it can provide the mechanism for tapping into data collected or generated by your products, making them “smart” products and using that data to benefit customers and build your business.
The “I” Factors
Connectivity is not accomplished via wires or cables. It occurs in the cloud, which is just another way of saying that IIoT connections are made via the Internet. Connecting machines, devices, sensors, applications and solutions is most easily accomplished if everything lives in the cloud. The move to the cloud a mere decade ago was a trickle. Today, it’s a tsunami. For all the right reasons, prominent among them is the manufacturer’s ability to leverage the IIoT to their full advantage.
Another “I” factor is Intelligence. Intelligent systems enable rapid manufacturing of new products, dynamic response to product demands, and real-time optimization of manufacturing production and supply chain networks, by networking machinery, sensors and control systems together.
The SSG Factor
Strategic Systems Group (SSG) has dedicated the last 25+ years to implementing and supporting our clients’ manufacturing software systems. We have a beach-front view of the cloud migration tsunami. While we will continue to support our manufacturing clients’ legacy systems, we are also here to support your decision to migrate to the cloud and reap the benefits of the IIoT.
Call SSG at 310.539.4645 or email us at info@ssgnet.com. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
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