Industrial IoT

Pathfindr’s Real-time Asset Intelligence Platform shines a light on the in-facility and global location and conditions that industrial assets endure. In this way it provides customers with a gateway to the full power of Industrial IoT.

What is Industrial IoT?

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the extension of the Internet of Things (IoT) into industrial sectors and applications. With a strong focus on machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, big data, and machine learning, the IIoT enables industries and enterprises to have better efficiency and reliability in their operations. The IIoT encompasses industrial applications including robotics, medical devices, and software-defined production processes.

Going beyond IoT

The IIoT goes beyond the normal consumer devices and internetworking of physical devices usually associated with the IoT. What makes it distinct is the intersection of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). OT refers to the networking of operational processes and industrial control systems (ICSs), including human machine interfaces (HMIs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, distributed control systems (DCSs), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

Convergence of IT and OT?

The convergence of IT and OT provides industries with greater system integration in terms of automation and optimization, as well as better visibility of the supply chain and logistics. The monitoring and control of physical infrastructures in industrial operations, such as in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities, are made easier through the use of smart sensors and actuators, remote access and control.

Industry 4.0

In the context of the fourth industrial revolution, dubbed Industry 4.0, the IIoT is integral to how cyber-physical systems and production processes are set to transform with the help of big data and analytics. Real-time data from sensors and other information sources help industrial devices and infrastructures in their “decision making”, in coming up with insights and specific actions. Machines are further enabled to take on and automate tasks that previous industrial revolutions could not handle. In a broader context, the IIoT is crucial to use cases related to connected ecosystems or environments, such as how cities become smart cities and factories become smart factories.

Effective data transmission

The consistent capturing and transmitting of data among smart devices and machines provide industries and enterprises with many growth opportunities. The data allow industries and enterprises to pick up on errors or inefficiencies in the supply chain, for example, and immediately address them, thus pushing for day-to-day efficiency in operations and finance. Proper integration of the IIoT can also optimize the use of assets, predict points of failure, and even trigger maintenance processes autonomously.

Bridging the gap

By adopting connected and smart devices, businesses are enabled to gather and analyse greater amounts of data at greater speeds. Not only will this enhance scalability and performance, it can also bridge the gap between the production floors and general offices. Integration of the IIoT can give industrial entities a more accurate view of how their operations are moving along and help them make informed business decisions.

The Pathfindr platform

The Pathfindr Real-time Asset Intelligence Platform provides the sensors and data vital to achieve the visibility required under Industrial IoT and Industry 4.0.  

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