IOT in Manufacturing Industry

Almost 50 percent of organizations expect to transform their business or generate significant new revenue or cost-reducing opportunities over the next three years with the help of Internet of Things (IoT), as stated in a research by industry analyst firm Gartner. Internet of Things (IoT) is an ecosystem of connected physical objects that are accessible through the internet. Though IoT is still in the nascent stage, manufacturers have been integrating data from sensors and instrumentation on the shop floor via manufacturing operations management (MOM) systems for many years. Both, MOM and IOT have their strengths and play a vital role in delivering key insights to improve real-time performance and operational visibility to enable the smart, connected manufacturing enterprise.

Robust MOM solutions provide key functionalities associated with IoT platforms. However, most MOM systems fall short on four components: 

? Connectivity

? Cloud

? Big Data analytics

? Application development

Fig.- Evolution of IOT in Manufacturing Industry

Manufacturers have traditionally procured production devices that have then been gradually integrated via controllers and/or MOM systems. As IoT platforms are implemented, manufacturers will experience faster integration and application development. Access to all the device’s data and functionality from the IoT platform will allow uses that cannot yet be imagined. What is vital is that these device functions and information will be available to apps at the IoT platform level rather than just in the plant. 

Fig.- IOT at work in Manufacturing Industry

The evolution of business has rapidly increased over the last 25 years. The speed of technological advances has impacted all aspect of business, including the last bastions of manufacturing and transportation operations. Every business has looked to capitalize on technology to increase productivity and leveraging that into higher profit margins. With the Internet of Things, the connectivity has helped many businesses shine lights in places that have always been.

The e-commerce industry is growing at an incredible rate. Consumer expectations are growing as well. A decade or two ago, people were happy as long as their orders got to their house within a day or two of the scheduled arrival date. Now, people expect retailers to offer next-day or even same-day shipping. Also, they like being able to track their orders through every stage of the delivery process.

Fig.- Manufacturing’s IOT to do list

Route planning is complicated. Just figuring out which roads drivers should take to reach your customers is hard enough. On top of that, you also need to account for traffic, weather, construction, customer availability, and other factors. You’ll probably make a mistake or two if you try to do this by yourself, and all it takes is one mistake to mess up a route and delay your drivers. But there’s no reason to plan routes by yourself. Using a road trip planner with multiple stops ensures that your routes are accurate and efficient. It gives drivers everything they need to show up on time consistently. It’ll save you money on gas, too.

Every transportation and logistics business desires full visibility of the supply chain from start to finish. With this knowledge, you can make better decisions for all shareholders, not the least of which is your customers. Saving money for your customers and your profit margin is a win-win situation.

There are tons of data out there waiting to be collected and analysed. From vendors, employees, carriers and customers – there is data all throughout the supply chain – it is just a matter of collecting it. Whether through manual collection or systems integration, it is worth the effort to gain more insight on your business' supply chain.

Transportation and Logistics Fleet management plays an essential role in maintaining fleet vehicles, schedules, everyday usage of vehicles and route planning. In just these few areas, efficiencies can be found to decrease costs and add more profit. The most effective way to increase productivity is to decrease fleet down time.

Using a route planner increases visibility for operations because routes are planned ahead so that their distance and duration are known and customers as well as drivers know in advance when their visits are scheduled

Utilizing technology is key to the future of business and the inception of the IoT has increased the connectivity of all areas of business. With looking ahead 10 or 20 years down the road, these are just the building blocks to a future of increased productivity and profits.