What is the industrial internet of things, also known as the IIoT? According to one definition, it is the computing network that connects machinery in factories. Another says it is a network of intelligent computers, devices, and objects that collect and share data. Still another defines it as network of a devices connected by communications technologies. Basically, the IIoT connects machines or devices and and transits information in an industrial setting. And the growth of IIoT is definitely a field to watch.
Technology is extremely important to companies, particularly now in the digital age. And what IIoT can do for companies is extraordinary. For instance, by using an IIoT platform, a factory manager can automate turning off machines that are not in use, and save the company quite a bit of money. IIoT can be used for “predictive maintenance, improved safety, and other operational efficiencies,” according to Inductive Automation.
IIoT is changing the way industry works. It is changing the way that machines in industry operate. And several companies are acquiring and using the IIoT in game-changing ways.
- Predix – GE:
Predix is GE’s IIoT platform. It is thought to be the largest industrial internet platform in the world, and it’s not a huge surprise that General Electric is the company leading the way in this field. According to GE’s website, “the platform delivers shared capabilities that industrial applications require: asset connectivity, edge technologies, analytics and machine learning, big data processing, and asset-centric digital twins.” All things to watch out for when it comes to IIoT development and comparison.
- WonderWare – Schneider Electric:
Schneider Electric is a global energy management company and electricity distributor based in France. WonderWare is its IIoT network. Schneider Electric points out its IIoT software’s affinity for “increasing profitability and productivity” and for delivery efficiency. Sensing a pattern here? According to Enterprise Management, all the electrical machinery is centrally monitored and managed with an IIoT system like Schneider Electric’s.
- Quarterhill:
Quarterhill focuses on “acquiring technology companies in the Industrial Internet of Things.” It seeks out IIoT that “improve[s] productivity and create[s] new revenue streams,” and looks for opportunities in the mobility, city, and factory verticals. It is totally focused on harnessing and growing access to the IIoT, in an effort to better connect machinery across several markets and manufacturers.
- MindSphere – Siemens:
The MindSphere platform is another exciting IIoT development, and Siemens is a natural company addition to the IIoT space. The MindSphere platform is “designed to connect assets at industrial plants in an automated production environment,” according to CRN, and the Siemens website boosts that MindSphere “delivers wide range of device and enterprise system connectivity protocol options, industry applications, advanced analytics and an innovative development environment.” Pretty impressive.
- Connected Plant – Honeywell:
Honeywell Connected Plant’s cloud-based services “anticipates operational complications” and can be used to monitor a refinery or petrochemical plant to make sure it’s running efficiently and reliably, according to the Honeywell website. Honeywell as a company has over 100 years of history in innovation, and it makes sense that they wanted to get in on the IIoT game as well.
