An Internet of Things (IoT) platform is used to unify the monitoring and management of IoT endpoints within a business unit. Applications can be developed on top of the platform adding features as needed. IoT platforms can come in the form of on-premise software packages, or as cloud services. These applications benefit organizations by streamlining operations, lowering costs, and accelerating production.
By extension, an Industrial IoT (IIoT) platform aggregates the real-time data from industrial sensors, machines, and device endpoints within a factory under a unified system of control and management. These systems are designed with the capacity to manage thousands of devices while providing data-driven analytical insights about performance.
Industrial IoT (IIoT) is a subset of the Internet of Things (IoT) revolution that refers to the application of IoT principles, technology, and approaches, specifically in industry, manufacturing, energy and similar sectors. For all industries, IIoT ultimately aims first at gathering and analyzing data from factory sensors and devices, and then secondly to make intelligent responses based on data-driven insights. Automated real-time responses can be implemented to significantly streamline performance.
IIoT concepts are similar to other IoT concepts, in particular the networking together of numerous small devices, sensors, instruments, and actuators, to create the “internet of things”, a convergence of networking and device technology. However, IIoT differs from common IoT examples like smart homes, in both the degree and scale of technologies that are connected. Smart home sensors can monitor temperature, and send mobile device notifications in emergencies. Comparatively, in larger industrial settings, IIoT may orchestrate the operations and interactions of tens of thousands of devices, sensors, and robots. This difference requires more complex implementation methods, including using IIoT platforms, sophisticated device management software, and custom integrated automation tools.
IIoT platforms are responsible for managing devices, collecting and managing data, integrating with complimentary systems, performing advanced analytics, and keeping systems secure. To fulfill these responsibilities, IIoT platforms have 7 main components:
IIoT platforms have become foundational in successfully implementing large-scale industrial IoT deployments. The best-in-class IIoT platforms deliver many benefits:
IIoT platforms can be built from scratch, purchased as a package, or a service in the cloud. When building your own platform, three levels must be considered, infrastructure, platform and applications. Because handling all three levels in-house comes at considerable cost, but maximum control and customizability, organizations will often only take responsibility for one or two of these levels. For the other levels, an IoT technology provider, like AWS, Google, or Microsoft, offer platform and other IoT services.
Unless there is concern for proprietary configurations, there are platform providers that offer ready to build upon frameworks so that IIoT operations can be set up quickly. Below are 4 common platforms that allow users to easily add marketplace apps, as well as build to spec.
Selecting the right IIoT platform begins with understanding the end industrial application. To support that end application, below are several factors to consider based on requirements. At a bare minimum, IIoT platforms should provide:
More specifically, consider these factors: