Sixty percent of worldwide manufacturers will use analytic data recorded from embedded devices to enhance manufacturing and supply-chain operations by 2021, according to market intelligence firm IDC. That's because small, inexpensive computing hardware (such as low-cost wireless radios and sensors) can wirelessly observe and send data instantly on the state of any machine.
 
As a matter of fact, with the unending mandate to reduce costs, operate more efficiently, achieve greater visibility into processes and minimize supply-chain risk, all manufacturers should begin making an investment in IoT technologies — if they are not doing so as of now.
 
IoT’s numerous features can change your business and set you apart from your competitors. There will be risks, without a doubt, but they can be mitigated for as long as the project is carefully and purposely managed. Fortunately, that's what competitive manufacturers are actually good at.
 
First, let’s assess the advantages the IoT would bring to your manufacturing floor, where smooth operations depend on reliably functioning machinery.
 
Increase Visibility and Simplify Operations
 
Smart industrial appliances can assist increase visibility and simplify business operations:
 
1.            Increase visibility — With smart sensors, businesses can keep track of important assets at every stage of the supply chain and report this information to a centralized database.
2.            Simplify operations — Businesses can use smart sensors to locate and assess inventory levels.
 
Predictive Maintenance Capabilities Can Mitigate Disruptions
 
In addition, manufacturers can eliminate error-prone service inspections with IoT technology. For example, smart sensors can anticipate problems before they become larger issues by relaying real-time analytics on a machine’s performance. Data collected from a machine, like current or vibration, combined with instant alerts makes manufacturers to take part in predictive maintenance, reducing disruptions and work stoppages, which in turn increases asset utilization and mitigates the risk of missed deadlines, grows in production costs and reputational damage.
 
In this scenario, best practices call for integrating a wireless connectivity module (Cellular or Wi-Fi-enabled, aka a smart sensor) that may communicate the status of the machine and its parts to humans on a cloud-based interface. These connectivity modules may also send and receive over-the-air (OTA) software updates even after the device has been deployed.
 
A use case such as the one described above can yield the following benefits:
 
•             Enhanced data administration and accurate information on the status of each machine, enabling better decision-making on labor, sales, and the supply chain.
•             increased visibility into the status of the fleet.
•             Increased asset utilization and lowered maintenance / overhead costs.
•             better energy performance by identifying badly performing parts and devices.
 
How to Start Your IoT Journey
 
As mentioned earlier, risks abound anytime implementing new technologies and systems — and it’s specifically correct with IoT solutions. Below are four safeguards to take as you begin your project:
 
No. 1 - Define the business benefit
 
Ensure that you have a problem to resolve, and that an IoT mechanism is the way to fix it. Manufacturers are already seeing greater operational advantages and cost savings in the following use cases:
 
•             Remote tracking across the supply chain to enhance fleet operations.
•             Environmental and safety compliance reporting via tracking, monitoring, data reporting and analytics.
•             Asset tracking from the supplier to the production line.
•             Automatic fulfillment based on utilization-rate tracking.
 
No. 2 - Start small with an eye toward scalability
 
Identify a minor project which could lead to a short-term payoff as well as insights on how to build on it. Hire an expert to help scope the project, and assign a committed project manager to lead it. Afterward, you can think of larger projects, using lessons learned from the first one to gauge how you can gather additional resources and organizational commitment. In the course of time, you’ll be able to forecast your network and storage needs to a production-sized deployment.
 
No. 3 - Test, test and test some more
 
The only way IoT technology can succeed is by ensuring there are no points of failure. That means you need to continuously make sure you can potentially detect coding problems and catch bugs early as you develop your embedded systems, sensors, microcontrollers and mobile apps.
 
No. 4 - Choose the right platform and partner
 
No body needs to be reminded that significant technology investments require pinpoint planning and strategy. Careful, dedicated research will reveal the IoT partner best appropriate to provide an optimal framework and the platform that can grow with your business. Be sure your vendor can deliver the right hardware, connectivity, device management and security measures which can handle your needs now while successfully integrating with future technologies.
 
It’s All About Achieving a Competitive Advantage
 
There's no denying that IoT projects require a high level of expertise in hardware, software, security and app development. But they are much more than worth the effort and commitment: A connected factory offers significantly greater flexibility, efficiencies and cost savings while delivering exceptional visibility into maintenance and operations.
 
That is the type of competitive advantage no manufacturer can overlook.
 
This article is originally posted on tronserve.com