The Impact of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

With the rise of IoT usage, there has been a significant increase in the use of IoT inside industrial sectors. This is referred to as the IIoT or Industrial IoT. This impact is undeniable, and it is changing the face of these industries for the better. It makes everything much more efficient, and we can say that it’s here to stay. 

So, what is IIoT, and why is it so important? We will discuss these questions in the best part of this article. So, without further ado, let’s get right to it. 

What’s the Difference Between IoT and IIoT?

IIoT stands for Industrial Internet of Things, whereas IoT stands for the Internet of 

Things. IIoT can be considered an extension or application of IoT in the industrial sector. You might interact with IoT devices daily, using sensors and software to communicate with other devices across communication networks. 

It refers to the system of multiple devices that can communicate with each other to make your life easier. A good example would be your SMART TV or your Alexa. When you tell Alexa to turn on your TV, it communicates with the other device to turn it on by processing its environmental data. 

Industrial IoT, on the other hand, is a bit more complex and refers to incorporating these smart devices in industrial processes in the medical or manufacturing sectors, for instance. It goes beyond simple, smart devices and is more of an intersection between IT or Information Technology and Operational Technology or OT. 

These include human-machine interfaces, distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, etc. Especially in the healthcare sector, the inclusion of IoT is making fantastic progress for doctors and patients alike. 

Whereas IoT is meant to help you manage home appliances more efficiently and save energy or electricity within homes, IIoT focuses on building better systems in health care, aerospace, and automation factories. An excellent example of IIoT devices is smart robotics inside Amazon warehouses to move and store goods more efficiently. 

Benefits of IIoT

To keep up with the hundreds of other companies, industries must be the best at meeting ever-changing market demands in a fast-paced marketplace. The use of IIoT in these processes gives businesses the edge they need. Whether it be a decrease in production and delivery times or an increase in quality and precision, IIoT has many benefits. 

Here are some of how IIoT is changing the industry forever. 

• Better Data Competence

More and more companies are taking the IIoT leap, using their data better to make their processes more efficient. Data is an integral part of the IIoT movement, and things like Cloud Computing and Edge Computing are helping these industries develop better, more efficient ways to manage their data. 

With long-term data, for instance, these systems recognize trends and make more accurate predictions of demand or customer behavior. Thus, they allow businesses to manage their resources better and know what to expect. 

On the other hand, by using sensors and robotics in each space in places like warehouses, you get real-time data that allows you to have a much better idea of inventory and know exactly what’s going on in your factory without even having to be present. 

With systems notifying you of any changes or risks in present data and algorithms suggesting which decisions to make based on past data, IIoT reduces errors everywhere and saves businesses a lot of money. 

• Increase in Accuracy 

Robots are taking over, especially in the manufacturing sectors, and this is a much better thing than you thought it would be. This reduces human errors, and machines working on AI can make much better decisions regarding manufacturing processes. 

By implementing sensors and robots into the existing traditional manufacturing processes, you can gain better control of all the processes going on. CNC machining is an excellent example of the use of intelligent machinery, where computer-controlled machines can give you much better precision in cutting manufacturing parts that were impossible manually. 

Since these machines are usually used to manufacture aerospace machine parts, where even a tiny difference in the physical dynamics of the piece can cause a colossal failure, intelligent machinery is a lifesaver. 

Impact of IIoT

As IIoT is becoming increasingly popular in the industrial sector, its impact, especially in manufacturing, is undeniable. IIoT is the face of the fourth industrial revolution. By interconnecting devices within the industry and using data and real-time analytics to make better decisions, IIoT allows for better data visibility, exchange, and collection. 

A recent report revealed that by 2020 the number of connected smart devices for IIoT devices in the world has risen to more than 20.4 billion. More than 60% of manufacturers now use connected products to analyze their data better and increase productivity. 

Manufacturers using IIoT in their daily processes are expected to make more than 10% more profits than those without. It is revolutionizing not only the manufacturing industry but also the medical sector. Artificial Intelligence has given a much-needed revamp to the healthcare industry. 

There is a considerable system of IoT in this sector, from robot-assisted surgeries, where doctors can perform much more delicate surgeries with the precision of computer-controlled machines, to an interconnected record system that prints out prescriptions automatically. 

AI-controlled virtual assistants are helping nurses free up more than 20% of their time to focus on more critical tasks and improve their work-life balance. These IIoT systems are also helping to reduce errors and misdiagnoses in the medical field. It uses previous data of other patients to find trends and give better diagnosis predictions to help doctors. 

As IIoT solutions increase, more and more industries are finding a use for them. But this also raises concerns about IIoT security. With many devices integral to these industries’ working systems connected to the Internet, they are much more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Different IIoT platforms have other issues, but increasingly, IIoT companies are taking this very seriously and developing ways to protect your privacy. The main concern with IoT and IoT devices was that you were giving up your privacy.

 In using these systems, you are giving access to vast amounts of data to these IIoT sensors that third parties can hack into and access. However, as concern over privacy and security grows with the increased use of these devices across various sectors, more and more security solutions are also coming up. 

Time will only tell the cost of giving up your privacy for convenience. But it is here to stay and is just the beginning of this revolution. 

Conclusion

IIoT, or Industrial IoT, is the flagship of the fourth industrial revolution, forever changing the face of manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries. Incorporating IIoT can help save you time and money, increase your profits, and improve the quality of your products and services, as we at [x]cube LABS have helped multiple global enterprises do.