What is the difference between IoT and IIoT?

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the general concept of connecting everyday devices, such as home appliances, vehicles and personal devices. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), on the other hand, specifically refers to the use of IoT technology in industrial settings, such as factories and power plants. This involves connecting machines, equipment and other industrial assets to the internet so they can be remotely monitored and controlled and so the data can be collected to improve efficiency, productivity and safety.

What are examples of IIoT in manufacturing?

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is being widely adopted in manufacturing to improve efficiency, productivity and safety in several ways including predictive maintenance, quality control, inventory management, traceability, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), smart factory and workforce management.

What is the main advantage of IIoT in manufacturing?

The main advantage of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) in manufacturing is the ability to improve efficiency and productivity by collecting and analyzing real-time data from machines, equipment and other industrial assets. This allows manufacturers to optimize production, improve quality, increase flexibility, enhance safety, reduce costs, utilize predictive maintenance and traceability. Overall, IIoT allows manufacturers to make data-driven decisions and to increase the efficiency, quality and safety of their operations, resulting in cost savings, improved performance and customer satisfaction.

What does Industry 4.0 mean?

Industry 4.0 is a term used to describe the current trend of automation and data exchange in manufacturing technologies. It is the fourth major industrial era since the initial Industrial Revolution of the 18th century. Industry 4.0 is characterized by the use of advanced technologies such as IoT, artificial intelligence, big data analytics and cloud computing to improve manufacturing processes and create ""smart factories."" These factories are able to collect and analyze data from connected devices and machines, which can then be used to optimize production, improve quality and reduce costs.

IIoT, Industrie 4.0 | Plant Engineering

Figure 2: Connecting multiple things in a proprietary Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) connectivity solution is possible, but can be complex. Courtesy: Moxa

IIoT, Industrie 4.0 June 28, 2022

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Courtesy: L&T Technology Services (LTTS)

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Platform replaying historical data using the digital twin allows the user to understand the context of data anomalies. Courtesy of: UrsaLeo

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IIoT, Industrie 4.0 April 3, 2022

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The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is best used to expand process control and automation systems capabilities while letting them perform as designed. See six methods on how the IIoT enhances manufacturing.

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