Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) - Engineering Industries eXcellence

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

The Internet of Things, or IoT, is a network of physical devices that are able to communicate and exchange data using the existing infrastructure provided by the Internet. These physical devices, or “things,” range in nature from consumer-grade smart devices to large, complex pieces of manufacturing equipment. Each “thing” within the IoT is equipped with a set of embedded electronics allowing for the physical device to communicate, collect data, be controlled remotely or perform a number of other desirable functions. The power of the IoT lies in the fact that each of these devices has the capability to communicate with one another and exchange data using the well-established protocols provided by the existing infrastructure of the Internet as a whole. This opens the door for a truly integrated environment in which each device has access to the data it needs, when it needs it and without the hassle of dealing proprietary protocols or complex network architectures.

What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?

The Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT, is a sub-category of the broader Internet of Things that deals specifically with devices within the industrial context. Many experts believe that the widespread adoption of the IIoT is ushering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, sometimes termed Industry 4.0. The potential benefits provided by widespread use of the Industrial Internet of Things certainly lend credence to some of the other technologies that are currently considered to be a part of the Industry 4.0 vision. The IIoT has increasingly been driving and continues to drive significant growth in the manufacturing and transportation sectors worldwide. In fact, studies show that the adoption of IIoT-related technologies will result in a 12 trillion-dollar growth of the global GDP by the year 2030.

Capabilities of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Of course, there are many operational advantages and business benefits that can from creating a network of physical "things" powered by software, sensors and electronics along with network connectivity in order to facilitate the collection and exchange of data. In general, the benefits of implementing technologies leveraging the IIoT can be summarized in three main points:

Unifying the enterprise network architecture reduces network complexity. Additionally, it ensures that valuable data collected throughout the enterprise can be accessed when it is needed, where it is needed.
Increasing data collection capabilities throughout the enterprise allows for new, deeper insights into existing processes. Leveraging analytics, data collected from manufacturing operations and assets can deliver actionable insights across the overall manufacturing process in ways that it has never been able to before.
By unifying the network architecture and allowing data to inform the manufacturing process, factory automation capabilities allow for the possibility of a reduced need for manual intervention. This has the potential to improve the health and safety of employees, reduce the need for rework, free up human time for more value-add business activities and increase operational efficiency.

Benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Reduce digital architecture complexity resulting in improved network performance
Reduce network-related maintenance costs and potentially increase network security
Increase data collection capabilities and data accessibility
Improve factory automation capabilities
Improve performance visibility
Improve process efficiency
Reduce machine downtime
Increase capacity for accurate operations planning

Engineering's Expertise

With a growing global practice and team of experts focused on delivering cloud-based, low-code and Industrial Internet of Things-driven solutions to organizations worldwide, Engineering Industries eXcellence is enabling a new wave of transformation for companies that have been unable to access its benefits up until now. Combining the power of leading technologies with our unique knowledge across the Digital Thread for Industry 4.0, out approach to IIoT is helping accelerate the digitalization initiatives of all manufacturers, regardless of size, budget or where they stand today along their digital maturity journeys.