How can plant designers measure and demonstrate the value and impact of their IIoT initiatives?

2 Choose the right technology and partners

The next step is to select the appropriate technology and partners for your IIoT project. There are many options and vendors available in the market, but not all of them will suit your needs and budget. You need to consider factors such as compatibility, scalability, security, reliability, and usability when choosing your IIoT devices, platforms, and services. You also need to evaluate the capabilities and credentials of your potential partners, such as system integrators, consultants, or solution providers. You want to work with partners who have the expertise, experience, and reputation to deliver high-quality and cost-effective IIoT solutions.

3 Pilot and scale up

Before deploying your IIoT solution across your entire plant or network, you should test it on a smaller scale first. This will allow you to verify its functionality, performance, and value, as well as identify and fix any issues or gaps. A pilot project will also help you gain feedback and buy-in from your users, managers, and customers, who will be the ultimate beneficiaries of your IIoT initiative. Once you have validated your IIoT solution and refined it based on the pilot results, you can then scale it up to cover more areas, processes, or functions.

4 Monitor and improve

The final step is to monitor and improve your IIoT solution on an ongoing basis. You need to track and analyze the data generated by your IIoT devices and systems, and compare it with your predefined goals and metrics. You need to report and communicate the outcomes and impacts of your IIoT project to your stakeholders, such as cost savings, productivity gains, quality improvements, or customer satisfaction. You also need to identify and implement opportunities for further optimization, innovation, or expansion of your IIoT solution. By doing so, you will ensure that your IIoT initiative delivers continuous value and impact for your plant design.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?