How Industrial IoT Will Change the World

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of physical objects that are connected via the internet. These objects are frequently equipped with advanced software, sensors, and other technology that helps them collect, analyze, and share data between other IoT-connected devices. Already, billions of devices are connected to the Internet of Things, and people frequently interact with them in the form of smart home technology and digital assistants.

IoT capabilities aren't just useful for your home life, however. The current Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) relies heavily on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for real-time data analytics and to make use of smart machines. Large enterprises around the globe now have to rely on big data to gain insights, and it's impossible to analyze such large volumes of data using traditional means or legacy systems. Here are a few ways that industrial IoT is impacting the industrial sector and how it can change the world as we know it.

Manufacturing Automation and Maintenance

Digital transformations have been at the core of improving business processes for years now, and IIoT technology is one of the greatest ways that the manufacturing industry can take advantage. The Industrial Internet of Things can help automate processes and correct operational efficiencies on the factory floor in a number of ways. For example, robots and other machines powered by artificial intelligence can assemble components and entire products thanks to image recognition technology, which allows them to determine the correct way to assemble each part.

The same image recognition technology can also be used for predictive maintenance, as an IIoT camera can detect unusual activity on the floor. IIoT sensors like these pressure transmitters can even detect safety issues, such as unusual temperatures. Thanks to machine learning advances, smart machines can even self-monitor their own progress and anticipate potential hurdles on the assembly floor. They can schedule regular maintenance for all technologies as well, freeing up human maintenance experts for other tasks. Such technologies work together to create the modern smart factory.

Supply Chain Efficiency

In much the same way that an IIoT system can make the manufacturing floor more efficient, it can also help ensure smooth deliveries across the entire supply chain. Inventory management is a huge challenge for any organization involved in order fulfillment, but integrated industrial internet devices can automate the process and immediately order new stock when needed. The Industrial Internet of Things works similarly to a business process management solution in that it constantly looks for ways to reduce downtime and boost efficiency.

IIoT sensors can also help with logistics. Fleet management depends on finding the most efficient routes possible to deliver products. GPS trackers in trucks combined with geodata analysis can help fleet managers identify any trouble spots in the routes they're using, as well as come up with new ones that can shave time off the clock.

Retail Solutions

The Industrial Internet of Things can also be used by retail leaders to make better decisions regarding specific stores and regional customers. Data-driven insights collected by machine learning analytics and advanced processes like data commercialisation help business leaders determine which products are the most popular, and through a combination of historical and current customer data, they can even use predictive analytics to determine what customers will need next.

Beyond this foresight, retail leaders can make sure that their most popular products are prioritized in the supply chain and that they target specific regions with promotions that make sense based on the data available.

Of course, the IIoT has plenty of applications beyond these. Thanks to the rollout of 5G, IIoT applications are likely to advance even faster, with some predicting the rise of the smart city, which would use these devices to better manage traffic, utilities, and much more.