What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and is it Right for You?

Learn About the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

Our world is more ‘connected’ than ever before. The blistering pace of technological development and the introduction of low-cost sensors means that even the most mundane devices can be connected to the internet via a wireless network to create an ‘Internet of Things (IoT)’ in which the status of a device can be monitored and tracked from nearly anywhere.

The promise of this highly connected world is a better, more efficient way of doing things. Though the idea of an Internet of Things has been around for a while, recently we’ve seen an explosion of ‘smart’ consumer goods that incorporate this technology. Everything from cars, TVs, thermostats, wearables, home security systems, ovens, refrigerators, and even toasters are designed to interface with the Internet allowing users to access them via a smartphone or cloud-based voice assistants like Google Home or Amazon Alexa.

Though most of us are more familiar with IoT in the home market, it is really in the commercial and industrial spheres where its true power is shown. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) uses the same principles, connecting sensors to a wireless network to provide real-time time data, but does so on a much larger scale using equipment that is ruggedized for severe environments.

What Are the Benefits of IIoT Gateways & Sensors?

The benefits of IIoT are undeniable. By connecting your equipment to the IIoT, you can measure and track vital metrics within your operations providing a cohesive, real-time overview of the state of equipment and processes no matter where they’re located. By remotely monitoring your equipment in real-time you can identify potential failures, schedule predictive maintenance, replenish consumables, monitor energy consumption, document process variables, simplify recordkeeping for regulatory compliance, and more. All of this combines to enable faster decision-making, enhance the efficiency of operations, and improve outcomes and profitability.

So, is the IIoT right for you? If your goal is to make your business more connected, scalable, and efficient then the answer is likely ‘yes’. The cost of IoT interfaces and sensors is decreasing as the technology matures and becomes more widespread making now an ideal time to upgrade your control system. No matter your industry or the size of your operation, the Industrial Internet of Things can help you keep up with your competition.

There are a wide range of IIoT gateways and sensors available. Our engineers have compiled a list of products that can help jumpstart your company's efforts to embrace the industrial internet of things. If you’re interested in learning more about IIoT, our engineers are ready to help. Give them a call or start a chat today.

Still Need Help? Call an Engineer Today

If this post still leaves you wondering what type of industrial instrumentation would work best for your application, our engineers would be happy to help you. Give them a call at 1-800-884-4967. Or, you can shop for a wide range of industrial instrumentation from top brands and even configure your product online. We offer free lifetime tech support with every product sold.