What is the Internet of Things (IIoT)?
IIoT is the evolution of a control system that allows for significant advances in automation. Internet automation and cloud computing are evolving and integrating into an environment that enables artificial intelligence (AI) programming to facilitate productivity and efficiency improvements with many economic benefits.
Industry 4.0
With the cloud computing of the Internet and other advances of the Internet, we are now in the middle of the next industrial revolution, turning data into information. This period of evolution is called Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which includes the Industrial IoT (IIoT) and digital transformation mechanisms, which evolve this 4-year period of automation.
IIoT vs. IoT
While the IoT industry is influenced by the Internet of Things (IoT), the main difference in IIoT’s focus is on connecting machines and devices in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and logistics. The Internet of Things is commonly used to define consumer-based devices such as Fitbits and a wide range of smart home devices such as refrigerators, video doorbells, lighting, thermostats and alarm systems.
ISA95 IIoT standard
IIoT is about getting the information that every consumer needs if they want to. Digital evolution The digitization of a business is how we should move to a unified organized data space using the International Automation Community standard to create an automated interface between control and enterprise systems, or ISA95.
ISA95 hierarchical model
ISA95 basically provides a hierarchical model for Enterprise, Site, Area, Line and Cell. Each level of this architecture uses a specific software system to collect data for that part of the organization where there is a problem communicating between these different applications.
Real time IIoT data
With most organizations, the data is not real-time and lacks the functionality that inhibits key stakeholders to make informed decisions. The IIoT is about making decisions from real-time data, not from reports made yesterday. The IoT is all about interconnected devices, sensors and many other devices. They are interconnected and connected to industrial computer applications in many areas of energy production and management. IIoT is the evolution of a control system that enables significant improvements in automation using cloud computing to enhance and optimize process control. The first includes artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, edge computing and data mining.
1) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are fields that are part of computer science. Artificial intelligence is where intelligent machines are developed and respond like humans. ML is where machine learning is part of artificial intelligence prediction and more accurate results are provided without programming.
2) Cyber security technology
Cyber security technology is becoming an important platform for IoT and IIoT, allowing isolated machines to physically connect and communicate in a secure manner.
3) Cloud computing
Cloud computing is fundamentally opposed to the use of servers connected to a local extranet, using IT services and files downloaded from Internet-based servers.
4) Calculate the edge
Edge computing is a distributed computing model that brings information storage closer to where it is needed and optimizes sensors, industrial computers, and devices that are part of the IIoT system for publishing and consuming data for faster processing.
5) Data mining
Data mining and data analysis involves collecting and reviewing large amounts of stored data from different parts of the company.
Digital Twins
Companies want to be more competitive, increase productivity by producing on time to meet higher customer demand with better inventory control. We can all do all this by creating total automation of organizations into a digital twin. A digital twin is a virtual representation of digital replication of physical assets, existing processes, automation systems, and real-world devices. The twins use real-time data to improve learning and reasoning for better decision making. These digital twins do not have the ability to test new information generated by cloud-based artificial intelligence functions without the need to stop production or personal safety because the experiments are performed in cyberspace. Also, digital twins can be used as training ground for new employees without affecting the live system. And when comparing IIoT and IoT failures, IIoT poses much higher risks than IoT. For example, life-threatening situations or major financial losses may occur as a result of actual system failure or malfunction.
Concerns and Dangers of IIoT
Although we may benefit from a long list of benefits through the evolution of IIoT, there are concerns and risks that we need to be aware of. Some of the potential risks of adopting IIoT are data integration costs, lack of experience and difficulty in implementation, and malicious cyber threats.
Data integration is one of the biggest obstacles to IIoT implementation. You can build a system with thousands of sensors and connected devices available, add new equipment and software systems, and interface with older equipment to communicate using standard IIoT protocols. Preparing for IIoT integration requires new software, hardware, and equipment. You need to consider the costs of training your current workforce, hiring new staff, and the time it takes for workers to be productive.
And the lack of expertise in IIoT integration requires automation companies that have to deal fully with the organizational layers through factory floor transmitters, process PLCs, HMI and SCADA operations, report based database management, manufacturing systems (MES). For warehouse control and enterprise resource planning (ERP) for accounting systems. Integrators now need to be proficient in machine learning, data science, and instant analysis.
Benefits of IIoT
In the long run, IIoT can cost more, but many organizations are still worried about investing heavily in IIoT. Clearly, the benefits of IIoT in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, and retail are increasing, and many companies are embracing this new paradigm for operations optimization and personnel productivity solutions. Many manufacturers have already achieved process performance and have reduced downtime. And while manufacturing is certainly at the forefront of IIoT adoption, other industries, for example, embrace the idea of IIoT adoption.
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