From Volume 3 Issue 2 of Connected.
When striving for device interconnectivity in an industrial system, it's vital to consider the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT), a network of physical objects that are connected and can communicate with each other through the cloud via a unique identifier sensor — meaning these devices can transfer data or information between one another without human intervention. A subset of this idea is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The IIoT is a similar concept, just in an industrial space and geared toward the goal of facilities becoming more consistent, efficient, sustainable, secure and profitable by bringing automation and intelligence together.
The IIoT gained momentum in the mid-to-late 2000s with an economic shift in perspective to increase efficiency and profitability through automation. Shortly thereafter, the IIoT concept shifted into perspective with Industry 4.0, adoption and standardization efforts by large manufacturers investing in IoT solutions. With the focus on automation and information integration, new developments with the IIoT have continued to spread across all levels of the industry. The IIoT can yield better system integration and communication and can also assist with new developments and initiatives in the industry. Some of those trends include wider adoption for small businesses and not just enterprise solutions. Predictive maintenance also plays a role in competencies along with artificial intelligence, machine learning and 5G network advancements that offer faster speeds and lower latency.
Two of the largest focuses for companies today are on becoming more cyber-aware and practicing sustainability. For companies looking to implement and utilize IIoT integration, cybersecurity is an extremely important factor. New threats and ways to compromise security walls and procedures arise every day with the increased number of devices used in the IIoT for each company, allowing more attack points for data breaches. As the IIoT network expands, the ability to find and dispose of these threats increases. Investing in and updating robust security systems allows programs to seamlessly coordinate and synthesize data that enables companies to take the best precautions in protecting their assets by automating the information protection system with the right programs and systems in place. Cybersecurity will always be an ongoing process, so proper measures and updates must take place regularly to stay at peak protection levels.
A second factor that has gained prominence is the focus on sustainability. The use of IIoT to optimize energy consumption, track environmental impact and reduce waste helps companies reach mandated requirements and sustainability achievement levels. Resource optimization in reducing material and time wastage can help lower operational costs and increase companywide efficiency. When companies better utilize resources and improve energy rates by adopting renewable forms of energy, they can yield a reduced carbon footprint and be more sustainably efficient while saving dollars on the bottom line.
The Industrial Internet of Things is a powerful integration tool that can improve many facets of a company. IIoT on the industrial front is creating a networked ecosystem that allows for improved data acquisition, transmission, insights, automated procedures, monitoring and control efforts that can allow different systems within a company to share insights and build toward common initiatives and goals.