Also commonly referred to as the IIoT for short, the Industrial Internet of Things involves a carefully interconnected network of countless sensors that are constantly creating and sharing information with one another. It includes not only ideas like robotics process automation (RPA) but also software-based production processes as well.
Obviously, this is a major benefit for many subsets within manufacturing – particularly those that can benefit from automation to help increase efficiency and improve productivity at the exact same time.
It’s not necessarily a new concept – indeed, sensors that feed real-time information to decision makers on a manufacturing factory floor have been around for years. But the integration of automated solutions has been picking up traction significantly over the last five years. All of this is done in the name to help automate and optimize as many processes as possible, helping organizations achieve a level of efficiency that at one point would have been unheard of.
Believe it or not, it’s also a concept that is still very much on the rise. In fact, one recent report indicated that the total market value for the Internet of Things is predicted to cross $1 trillion over the next few years – something that brings with it big implications for the world of manufacturing and in areas like plastics, the various auto tiers, construction and beyond.
The Industrial Internet of Things Has Arrived
As stated in a recent report called “Global Internet of Things Market and Trends 2021,” the global market value for this space is anticipated to cross the $1 trillion mark by as soon as 2024. Not only that, but the number of connected devices that make up the IIoT is anticipated to hit nearly 30 billion by the same period of time.
In terms of manufacturing, the biggest sectors that are leading the charge to that end include transportation equipment and machinery manufacturing. Robot crack sealers like the RMV are a prime example of this, but they are just one of many.
Essentially, it means that the next generation of manufacturing isn’t on the horizon – it’s already here. People have fully embraced the Industrial Internet of Things thanks to the myriad of different benefits it brings with it. They can use it to better understand the peaks and valleys of production in areas like auto manufacturing or construction, which allows them to allocate resources in a way that accounts for seasonal fluctuations. Road maintenance crews can understand which periods of year are the best to A) operate as efficiently as they can, and B) avoid too much disruption to the surrounding communities. Key pieces of equipment can literally diagnose themselves to help stop problems before unexpected downtime is experienced.
All of the effort that formerly had to go to these important (but menial) tasks is now freed up and organizational leaders can focus on what really matters: the future. It’s an environment where ingenuity and innovation are finally allowed to thrive, and we collectively have the Industrial Internet of Things to thank for it.
To get even more insight into why the Industrial Internet of Things is poised to be such a game changer over the next decade, or to speak to someone about your own situation in a bit more detail, please don’t delay – contact Pioneer Industrial Systems today.
