September 19, 2023
At Itransition, we offer a complete suite of IoT-powered solutions and services for the manufacturing industry, enabling our clients to transform their operations and get a competitive advantage.
Nowadays, there is a gamut of innovative technologies that manufacturing companies can use to enhance operational efficiency. Artificial intelligence, 5G, various automation solutions, and cloud platforms are poised to change manufacturers’ business models for good. However, IoT lies at the core of Industry 4.0 and can generate the most value in manufacturing.
Scheme title: IoT in manufacturing market size, 2021 to 2030 (USD billion)
Data source: globenewswire.com — IoT in manufacturing market size to reach USD 1.52 trillion by 2030
will be added in value globally by IoT in manufacturing by 2030
the largest share of all IoT applications in factory settings by 2030
IoT offers manufacturers numerous opportunities to innovate their operations and gain a competitive edge. Here are eight examples of how businesses in the manufacturing industry can leverage IoT technology:
Scheme title: IoT inside manufacturing, transportation, and supply chain
Data source: business.att.com — The tech race and IoT. How technology can sharpen your competitive edge
By utilizing smart sensors similar to those used in smart offices, edge computing, advanced machine learning algorithms, and computer vision in manufacturing, industrial companies can accurately predict equipment failure and make real-time adjustments to ensure that production flow is uninterrupted.
Image title: Main reasons for LMS software switch
Data source: new.abb.com — ABB Ability™ Condition Monitoring brings predictive maintenance to an Italian factory that never sleeps
A сommon IoT solution consists of sensors and computing devices interconnected through a dedicated network. While there is no universally accepted standard for an IoT solution architecture, in most cases, the architecture includes the following components:
Cameras, temperature sensors, motion detectors, and other types of IoT sensors form the foundation for any successful industrial IoT solution. Depending on the application, they are responsible for detecting movements, collecting environmental data, or providing insights into equipment conditions.
Edge devices are computing capabilities that sit between embedded systems and cloud or premises-based servers. Edge devices can process data locally, analyze it in near real-time, and make decisions without sending it to the cloud for analysis.
Cloud solutions are used to store, process, and analyze large amounts of data collected from sensors. Importantly, the cloud plays a pivotal role in making AI-based data analytics accessible on a large scale.
Embedded systems are single-purpose computing devices that can significantly enhance production efficiency by handling day-to-day tasks on their own. A machine vision system responsible for quality control is a common example of an embedded system in the manufacturing context.
Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are used to communicate data between machines and humans. For instance, HMIs can be used to visualize the performance metrics of connected equipment or interact with a machine vision system during an inspection.
The future of IoT-based systems in the manufacturing sector is closely associated with cloud computing. Cloud-based IoT platforms are designed to capture data and provide insights that can be used to make more informed decisions. Here are some of the best IoT cloud platform solutions for manufacturers:
Challenge/inefficiency
Solution
Unlike many other technology implementations, IoT systems can prove truly efficient only when applied in multiple use cases. In other words, it’s better to implement many IoT tools than pick the most potent technology and focus solely on it. Importantly, this doesn’t mean that you need to implement all possible IoT use cases at once but to take a holistic approach.
Challenge/inefficiency
Solution
One of the most common traps that manufacturing organizations fall into is treating IoT digital transformation as a solely IT project. The implementation of the first use cases implies a rather serious working process transformation for many employees and, most importantly, a shift in their attitude to work. This is why change management should be among the top preparatory measures when embarking on the IoT transformation journey.
Challenge/inefficiency
Solution
For the majority of manufacturing organizations, any digital transformation initiative is a sign of a new beginning. Understandably, it’s very tempting to ensure 100% readiness in terms of technology, talent, resources, etc. But in fact, it’s far more feasible and effective to approach transformation head-on, failing and learning as you go. Not to say that you don’t need to prepare at all. Instead, the preparation should center around establishing a dedicated transformation team, which utilizes proven transformation management practices.
Challenge/inefficiency
Solution
The implementation of IoT solutions in the manufacturing process requires a certain level of security to protect it from external threats. This means companies must use secure authentication protocols when connecting devices, develop comprehensive access control policies, and monitor all data flows. It’s also critical to ensure that these security measures are regularly tested and updated accordingly.
The digital transformation of manufacturing, often referred to as Industry 4.0, is a rapidly growing sector driven by advances in technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, data analytics and robotics. These technologies provide new ways for companies to optimize their production processes and remain competitive in an ever-changing market:
AI provides manufacturing facilities with the ability to analyze data collected from IoT devices in order to identify patterns, anticipate problems, and take preventive actions. This helps increase efficiency, reduce downtime, improve asset management, and achieve the desired KPIs.
By bridging the gap between data collection and analysis, real-time data analytics can help factories prevent risks, anticipate disruptions, and make adjustments that bring immediate improvements in day-to-day workflows.
Data warehouse is a critical component of the digital transformation process. As factories collect more and more data from IoT devices, it is essential to have an infrastructure that enables them to store, access, and analyze this data in the most efficient way.
Poorly configured IoT sensors and edge devices can become hacking targets, so factories should ensure that their networks are secure and properly monitored. To protect their ecosystems from malicious actors, factories should develop robust cybersecurity measures and regularly monitor for potential breaches.
The IoT adoption in manufacturing environments is revolutionizing the industry. It enables factories to optimize production processes, improve asset utilization, increase uptime, and anticipate disruptions. With the help of Itransition’s expertise in IoT development and data science, factories can embrace the Industry 4.0 revolution with confidence. Our team will provide you with a tailored solution to make sure that your factory is ready for an era of unprecedented transformation. Contact us and start your journey toward digital transformation today.