American Industrial Systems, Inc. (AIS) IP-based HMI panels, Panel Industrial PCs (IPCs), Industrial IoT, M2M and Industry 4.0 touch screen interfaces, has developed a new white paper on the topic of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Machine-to-Machine Communications (M2M), Smart Technologies and Industry 4.0 Technologies. The term Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as Industrial Internet and Industry 4.0, refers to the integration of physical industrial machinery with software, internet, along with network sensors, actuators, and other industrial machines and equipment. Moreover, the new white paper from AIS provides an in-depth overview of the latest trends and developments of the new emerging technologies. The white paper also touches on several related topics surrounding these technologies and their impact on industrial automation, control and monitoring. Most notably, the convergence of Information Technologies (IT) and Operational Technologies (OT) within industrial plants, factories and facilities.
As the Visualization, Control and Monitoring Gateway, AIS’s Industrial Panel PCs (IPCs) and Embedded Computers Help Enable IIoT and Smart Technology Applications
Internet of Things (IoT) Industrial PC (IPC)The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) white paper also addresses the vital role AIS’s open, human machine interfaces and visualization technologies play in enabling IIoT, Industry 4.0 technologies and other Smart applications. Analytics and intelligent machine applications will require enabling solutions that facilitate the goals of IIoT. No longer will vendor specific or proprietary systems be specified as interoperability between connected systems, networks and machines are critically important for IoT applications. Open systems will be required to assure better connectivity, communications and flexibility. Visualization and touch panel solutions will serve as the operators’ command center and gateway from the factory floor to the digital enterprise level, across different global facilities and plant operations. AIS’s portfolio of Smart HMI solutions are currently deployed in IIoT, Smart Cities, Smart Transportation, Smart Factories, Smart Buildings and Digital Oil Fields.
Industrial IoT is Expected to Revolutionize the Industrial Sector and Lead to a New Era of Economic Growth and Competitiveness
The Industrial Internet is not some far off technology or vague futuristic concept. It is already utilized by global, major corporations embracing everything IoT technologies have to offer. The Industrial IoT has already begun to transform major industries such as manufacturing, transportation, and retail, among others. Various technology and related trends are expected to be IIoT enablers, which will also help in shaping the future of Industrial IIoT. Some technology trends which are expected to have a huge impact on IIoT evolution are IPV6, sensor proliferation, cloud computing, Big Data, and faster communication standards such as 4G-LTE and beyond. Conservative estimates suggest worldwide Industrial Internet spending is set to increase from $20 billion in 2012 to $500 billion by 2020.
Massive Growth of Data Volumes Created by Computing Technologies Commonly Referred To as “Big Data” is Driving the Growth of the Industrial Internet
The term “Big Data” is essentially the collection of giant data sets so large and complex it is difficult to capture, curate, manage and process with traditional data processing applications. What constitutes “Big Data Size” is obviously a continually growing number every day – from figures starting with a few dozen terabytes to double-digit, petabytes of data in a digital enterprise today. Key factors driving “Big Data” is the access of previously inaccessible data, now available wirelessly and cloud technologies. Furthermore new technologies in analytics offer improved Asset Management Performance (AMP).
Operational Efficiency, Flexible Production Techniques and Predictive Analytics are Key Objectives of Industrial Companies Utilizing Industrial IoT
Early adopters of the Industrial Internet and Smart technologies have focused on improving operational efficiency as a key goal for leveraging IIoT. Improving automation, flexible production techniques and predictive maintenance have helped some companies bolster productivity by as much as 30%. Using sensors, analytics and real-time data help industrial automation companies anticipate failures and respond more quickly to critical situations and can reduce breakdowns by up to 70% in some cases. By avoiding downtime and plant facility shutdowns, production throughput increases significantly resulting in higher profits.
The Promise of the Industrial IoT and Smart Technologies is in Boosting Revenues with New Digital Products & Services
Companies will generate entirely new sources of revenues and profits from new digital products and services. These digital services are offerings that combine information, transactional and professional services. Some companies are already converting products into product-service hybrids, which are connected, intelligent physical products capable of producing data for use in digital services. The information companies harvest can become new products that they sell or can be combined with how they market other new products. Customers will purchase their digital services to increase production and efficiency. They in turn will invest in their own IIoT solutions to help improve the performance of existing assets and processes, as well as collaboration across the supply chain. Some companies will create hybrid business models by combining product sales and leasing with recurring streams for digital services. Product-service hybrid concept also applies to asset owners and operators. Any piece of equipment becomes a productivity enhancing hybrid if it generates data and becomes a digital service within its supply chain.
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