The Internet of Things
in Manufacturing
The “Things” that make the Internet of Your Things relevant in manufacturing:
 |
“Things” on a shop floor: |
 |
Things in a back office: |
 |
Things in the enterprise: |
 |
Things in a supply chain: |
Previous
Trends in manufacturing that make the Internet of Things with Microsoft
a natural next step include:
- Cloud computing is transforming the way IT serves manufacturing by harnessing a new breed of power.
- Data collection has been prevalent in manufacturing for decades but insight into the data has been lacking.
- Intuitive and easy-to-use: with the advent of new technologies and new workers in worldwide locations the pressure to create easier-to-use machines with less likelihood for errors is strong.
- And mobility: with the advent of tablets the pressure to add mobility to the manufacturing floor has forced many managers to experiment with integrating new types of devices.
Additionally, the need for analysis and control from outside of the plant floor will drive manufacturers to embrace mobile technology.
How the Internet of Things can transform manufacturing operations and organizational agility:
When manufacturers harness their data and connect their people and infrastructure together, they can change the trajectory of their business in real time.
New business models such as predictive maintenance can transform traditional manufacturers that previously were focused on design, production, and maintaining equipment (things). IoT can enable a new line of business with predictive servicing for customers, providing more value to the customer, increased business revenue, and lower maintenance costs.
Manufacturers don’t have to start from scratch: they can connect the devices they already have, add sensors to dumb devices, tap into the data that already exists, and use their existing infrastructure.
© 2014 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved.
