IIoT - The Internet of Things in industrial companies

Functionality and implementation of IIoT

Industry 4.0 is based on intelligent sensor technology for the connectivity of hardware, big data analyses, automation, artificial intelligence as well as other technologies such as specific firmware. Within IIoT, the components of the digital transformation of industrial companies receive their interaction. Whether manufacturing machines, energy systems, infrastructure such as pipelines and cables, or human resources - in IIoT solutions, numerous devices, plant components and the corresponding workers are connected to each other. This is how IIoT applications optimize communication between machines and people. Based on detailed data collection, industrial companies get a clear picture of how much electricity, water and other resources they consume in production and work processes. More energy efficiency, better occupational safety, higher productivity - by integrating IIoT solutions into many different plants and processes, industrial companies benefit on several levels.

Whether in the electronics industry, in healthcare or in the automotive industry - the intelligent systems in Internet 4.0 monitor transport routes and deliveries, let plants communicate directly with workers or monitor medical processes. Thus, the application of IoT in the industrial sector presents major challenges. Agility and scalability are the key success factors that must be taken into account when introducing IIoT applications into the existing business model. A holistic digitization strategy also takes into account the ongoing issue of data protection. However, with a stringent implementation of IIoT, conventional manufacturing operations and production facilities are rapidly evolving into smart factories.

Agility & intelligence: Optimal business conditions in the Smart Factory

The Internet of Things in the industrial sector benefits from the same advantages as in the private sector - with major differences in technological requirements at the same time. In the Smart Factory, for example, a large amount of application data is collected, which opens up valuable information bases and decision-making aids for workers based on big data analyses. Thus, IIoT solutions can be found in industrial companies for three core tasks:

• Intelligent production processes Manufacturing machines and systems connected via an Internet connection record numerous data with storage in a central database, which can be accessed by the respective workers. This provides plant managers with a holistic overview of automation in their industrial enterprise based on the IIoT solutions in use. In detail, the intelligent sensor technology in the plants reports when certain components of the machine are in operation and how much output they generate. This creates sustainable insights into the resources used or the number of units produced.

• Sustainable energy management Industrial processes are often very energy-intensive, and by using IIoT applications, industrial companies can make significant improvements in load management, for example. Even small optimizations sometimes lead to savings of considerable sums. At the same time, the ecological footprint shrinks alongside energy consumption. Intelligent sensor technology identifies where the most energy is being consumed or where equipment is not operating efficiently and provides plant managers with holistic information on the consumption status. In addition, the use of IIoT can even be beneficial when incorporating renewable energy sources for the smart factory.

• Predictive Maintenance With the term Industry 4.0 automatically goes hand-in-hand with increased efficiency. Thus, IIoT technologies include predictive maintenance programs for monitoring the condition and performance of equipment. This can predict failures and at the same time prevent them through early maintenance work by workers. Intelligent sensors provide detailed information on the functionality of a specific hardware or software and trigger the integrated alarm function already in case of unusual operations and potential problem cases. This shortens downtime and optimizes business conditions in the long term.

IIoT: The benefits of a Smart Factory at a glance

1. Increased efficiency in production processes and material handling

2. Development of new business areas and optimization of business conditions

3. Automation of production processes based on big data analysis - continuously and in real time

4. Self-organization of machines and equipment in case of maintenance requirements

5. Autonomous execution of maintenance work through intelligent maintenance programs

6. Reduction of malfunctions and failures with simultaneous improvement of throughput and production capacity

7. Increasing agility and scalability in the industrial enterprise by harmonizing the physical and digital worlds

8. Increasing safety measures for workers and machine in the industrial production environment

Modbus Cloud Connect for the deployment of NB-IoT in the industrial enterprise

With the use of IIoT, you can operate more effectively in your industrial enterprise, make more informed decisions, and tap into new revenue streams. With experience from numerous large-scale projects in leading, German-speaking medium-sized companies, we have specialized in the industrialization of the Internet of Things. A key element here is the entry-level product Modbus Cloud Connect for NB-IoT in conjunction with grandcentrix’ IoT Professional Services offering.

Special requirements often require individual IIoT solutions than can already be covered with the standard Modbus Cloud Connect. This includes special housing variants, additional sensor technology or even further protocols. For the introduction or expansion of IIoT applications in your industrial company, we are always at your service as an experienced contact. Please contact us and together we will discuss your detailed and technical questions.