Introduction
What is the Industrial Internet of Things? What is its ecosystem?
The benefits of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) lie in the collection and analysis of various data. Manufacturers utilize this network to improve quality control, sustainable and green practices, supply chain traceability, and supply chain efficiency.
So far, we are all familiar with the Internet of Things (IoT). The term IoT refers to consumer-grade devices that communicate and connect over the internet. Think of smart wearables, smartphones, smart home appliances, and heart monitoring devices. However, you may not have heard much about the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). This is going to change. It is a similar concept: it is about communication and connection across networks. The IIoT does not focus on consumer devices but rather on equipment and machinery in industries such as oil, agriculture, and healthcare, where system failures and unplanned downtime can lead to high risks or even life-threatening situations. The IIoT combines modern industrial engineering with intelligent assets such as sensors and actuators, aiming to enhance manufacturing and industrial processes. By connecting a large number of industrial devices using communication technologies, upgraded machines can collect, exchange, analyze, and transmit valuable data. Each IIoT ecosystem includes: • Connected devices for communication, storage, and self-information detection • Data storage generated by IIoT devices • Analytics and applications that generate information from raw data • Public and private data communication infrastructure The information collected is directly transmitted to the data communication infrastructure, which is then converted into analyzable information for various applications, including predictive maintenance and business optimization. What are the benefits? The benefits of the IIoT lie in the collection and analysis of various data. Manufacturers utilize this network to improve quality control, sustainable and green practices, supply chain traceability, and supply chain efficiency. Other uses of the IIoT include helping field technicians determine when maintenance is needed for machines, detecting corrosion in refinery pipelines, monitoring physical infrastructure in industrial operations, and even tracking assets. The IIoT network provides greater system integration for industries in automation and optimization, as well as better visibility in supply chains and logistics. By using smart sensors and actuators, monitoring and controlling physical infrastructure in businesses such as transportation, utilities, and healthcare becomes easier and more efficient. This intelligent communication network has the potential to significantly change and improve industrial processes. However, like any new technology, there are some risks and challenges to keep in mind. IIoT and Security Risks The challenge of the IIoT is security. Many enterprises are still using legacy systems and processes, making IIoT integration very difficult. Adopting new technologies can become complex, leaving more room for errors. Additionally, there are cybersecurity issues to consider. Anything can be hacked. Over the years, many large companies, banks, and private enterprises have been attacked by hackers, proving that no one is invincible. To prevent significant breaches and shutdowns, industries adopting the IIoT must implement new practices to securely manage both physical and digital components. Another challenge is device management and patch updates. Adopting more IIoT devices means there needs to be an effective way to track them. Furthermore, devices must be continuously updated to function properly. Devices and software frequently receive patch updates. This means another system is needed to track these updates and ensure they are installed correctly. Other risks to consider when using connected devices include vulnerable software exploits, data breaches, potential disruptions and damages caused by system manipulation, damages from system failures, and the use of publicly searchable connected devices and systems.What is the future of the IIoT?Technology experts predict that IIoT devices will play a significant role in digital transformation, especially as businesses begin to update their supply chains and production. Big data analytics is also expected to evolve to incorporate IIoT data, enabling organizations to track changing conditions in real-time. While IIoT devices have been around for some time, many industries are just beginning to adopt this technology. With the proliferation of 5G, the IIoT is expected to grow larger. Several industries are already investing in the IIoT. Currently, sectors such as manufacturing, retail, utilities, and transportation are seeking to adopt this technology to monitor production lines and make better predictions about machines that need maintenance. Government and healthcare sectors are also looking to integrate the IIoT into their processes.
Source: China Robot Network
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