Industrial Internet of Things: The Core Role in Industry 4.0
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is fundamentally changing the business landscape by seamlessly integrating intelligent technologies into manufacturing, automation, and computing..The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) plays a core role in this transformation..
Regardless of the size of the company or the scope of global operations, the Internet of Things has the potential to optimize business processes and unlock new opportunities.
Industrial Internet of Things
Revolutionizing Industrial Production
What is IIoT?
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a technological and conceptual development aimed at making data and information from industrial production more accessible and usable. In this process, data from networked devices, sensors, and actuators is collected, analyzed in real-time, and shared along with analysis results and action recommendations to improve the efficiency of machines and factories. To achieve functional integration of all machine and equipment components, it is necessary to integrate components from different manufacturers through open and standardized communication interfaces.
The collected data can be used for various purposes:
Condition Monitoring
By continuously monitoring machines and equipment, information about their current status can be collected. This allows for early detection of potential problems and failures.
Predictive Maintenance
Based on data analysis, predictive models can be developed to perform predictive maintenance according to the actual condition of equipment components. This minimizes downtime and reduces maintenance costs.
Data Analysis
Various methods can be used to analyze the collected data to identify patterns, trends, and correlations. This enables businesses to better understand their production processes and make informed decisions.
Machine Learning
Additionally, Machine Learning can be used to identify complex patterns in the data. This further enhances production efficiency and quality.
From Data to Information
Elements and Structure of IIoT Solutions
Field Level
The field level is the foundation of IIoT solutions. In addition to sensors and actuators, it also includes safety switch devices. All devices must be able to send data to higher-level devices such as PLCs, HMIs (optionally with or without EDGE functionality), or pure EDGE gateways, and also receive data from these devices.
Cloud
Schmersal’s cloud solutions can centrally manage, analyze, and provide data from backend applications. It serves as the link between the field and the backend. Edge gateways or human-machine interfaces with edge functionality collect data and information from field devices, visualize it (HMI), and transmit it to the cloud.
Backend
At the backend office level, various applications and systems are integrated to manage business processes. These applications include Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Lean Production, and other similar business intelligence tools. Data and services can be integrated bidirectionally into cloud solutions via REST API (Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface).
Device Management
Centralized device management in the cloud can provide efficient support and maintenance for all devices distributed globally in machines and factories.
Computing and Analysis
The collection and storage, analysis, and visualization of results and action recommendations from IIoT data are key to the digitalization of factories and the servitization of machines (creating value through services).
VPN Remote Access
A secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) can always provide the strongest remote connection with all network-enabled terminal devices in machines and factories through multi-region VPN servers.
Dashboard Creator
The dashboard creator allows for the simple creation of targeted visual interfaces and operational concepts for different company areas and user groups through drag-and-drop functionality.
Application Marketplace
On one hand, the application and widget marketplace provides end-users with applications, widgets, and services from other vendors in the market; on the other hand, it can also provide and promote its own insights, ideas, and applications in the same way.
Alerts and Notifications
Alerts and notifications can provide critical operational information about machines and equipment in the shortest time, helping to monitor machines globally and displaying issues related to products and components through associated data.
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Schmersal China Contact Information
National Technical Support Hotline: 400 821 8833
Address: 3336 Caoying Road, Qingpu District, Shanghai
Phone: +86 (0)21 6375 8287
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Website:www.schmersal.com.cn
