The advent of internet of things (IOT) technology represents a new era for industry and manufacturing.
The growth of industrial IOT (IIOT) connections is explosive; by 2025, there will be more than 36.8 billion connections, according to a 2020 report by Jupiter Research. This figure is more than double the current IOT adoption.
Although most industry decision-makers recognize the value of industrial IOT and have expressed a desire to shift, several barriers have impeded progress, especially in regard to architectural challenges, security concerns, and lack of qualified partners to help navigate the transition.
This article will briefly outline the benefits of industrial IOT, explain some of the challenges, and provide a solution for overcoming these obstacles.
IIOT: Transformational Potential
The multiplicative growth of IIOT is largely due to its efficiency benefits. The technology gives organizations access to increased amounts of data to feed analytics, AI, and cognitive learning systems which can transform operations through automation and high rate decision making. The result is boosted productivity and streamlined functions.
For example, sensors on machinery monitor performance constantly, gathering data on operations that can be used to optimize performance. Some of the data gathered can also be used for equipment maintenance and can trigger alerts when machines require attention.
There are a myriad of other uses for IIOT, such as safety. IIOT empowered environments can also keep workers safer by alerting entire facilities when accidents occur. In a split second, operations can be halted, and team members can intervene to mitigate the incident. Simultaneously, sensors will mine data to generate insight into what caused the incident and how it can be prevented from reoccurring.
IIOT Challenges Are Significant, Yet Surmountable
The industrial IOT takeover seems imminent, yet many decision-makers are still hesitant to master the new technology. The slow starters hesitate at their peril, as being early adopters to IOT technology can be a significant competitive advantage in the long run.
In general, some common obstacles holding the business back from realizing the benefits of industrial IOT follow one of these themes:
Primary Process Control System (DCS, etc.) Integration Challenges
Where primary process control systems are concerned, there are already many complexities to manage, for which sensors might create one more pain point. Decision-makers are often overly cautious to implement new technology, out of concerns for cost, cybersecurity, network challenges, and user access. If overall system architecture and safe operations are considered in implementing industrial IOT technologies, these technologies can exist within or along side existing control system architectures.
Pilot Projects Are Daunting
In 2020, IndustryWeek reported that many IOT initiatives end up stuck in “pilot purgatory,” leading to frustratingly slow progress and causing some industrial organizations to delay their migration to IOT. Some obstacles include complexity of assets, lack of willingness to participate in an IOT program, “ugly baby syndrome” or a reluctance to see that current processes are insufficient.
Critical Data and Systems Are Challenging to Access by Design
IOT projects often need additional data to view and analyze, but it can be tricky to execute control systems integrations. Often, engineering projects are required to pull in the necessary components, such as those in the DCS.
How to Overcome Challenges and Enhance Benefits: RED Alert in IIOT
Industrial IOT programs have transformational potential, but successful deployment requires both expertise and technology. With the right partner, you won’t need to worry about stalled pilot programs, primary process control system concerns, or stubborn data and systems siloes.
RED Group provides consultative management, dedicated specialists, and proprietary software that will facilitate successful IIOT initiatives. Our best-in-class control systems technology is perfect for a variety of uses and industries.
For our clients, RED Group consults on sensor and instrumentation selection and engineering. We also provide additional programming and consultation as required. There is no need to fuss over the tech stack since we provide all the hardware, software, installation, and commissioning.
The work doesn’t stop when the data is collected. Once enough raw intelligence has been generated, we activate our RED Alert SCADA. Analytics at the edge or in the cloud? RED Alert can provide both. Our technology allows us to forward data and integrate it into other systems as well.
Why should you trust RED Group? For one, our track record of partnership is a testament to our effectiveness. We consistently lower CapEx costs, deploy in less time than our competitors, and have superior expertise in engineering and integrating IIOT assets.
Don’t Fall Behind the IIOT Curve—Get in Touch With RED Group Today>>>
