Best Industrial IoT Platforms

Guide to Industrial IoT Platforms

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platforms are digital technology solutions that enable businesses to connect machines, people, and processes with each other in a secure way. These platforms allow industrial operations to be automated and connected remotely through the use of sensors and devices, creating an integrated web of data points which can be used for predictive analytics. This data can then be used to make decisions around operations as well as overall strategy.

At the heart of these IIoT systems is physical computing equipment such as routers, hubs, gateways, switches and more that makes up the connectivity network. This network enables everything from manufacturing plants and factories to buildings, farms and transportation systems to communicate with each other without relying on manual input or any human interaction. Connectivity is not only restricted to internal networks but can also extend out into the cloud for remote sensing capabilities or even access from mobile devices.

In order for this system to work securely there needs to be good security protocols in place like encryption technologies, firewall configuration and identity management strategies. The right combination of hardware and software solutions help ensure that only trusted users have access while protecting confidential data from external threats. Additionally they must provide a high level of scalability so they can rapidly adapt when new devices are added - either in scope or frequency - while still supporting analytics processes over large datasets regardless of its size or complexity.

Further benefits come in terms of no longer having reliance on human input since decisions can instead be made based on the collected data which will result in more effective decisions. Automation helps reduce downtime too by providing insight into potential failure points before they occur allowing for timely preventive maintenance activities instead relying heavily on reactive approaches after something has gone wrong.

The development and implementation of IIoT platforms is a multi-faceted endeavor which requires expertise across different areas like software engineering, networking configuration, analytics tools etc… However once properly implemented these systems offer significant cost savings opportunities due to their increased efficiency levels achieved by removing manual labor components from processes as well as improved accuracy thanks to smart sensors deployed throughout the system providing real time feedback about what’s happening at any given time allowing for timely decision making​.

Features Offered by Industrial IoT Platforms

• Data Storage and Analysis: Industrial IoT platforms provide secure data storage and real-time analysis capabilities, enabling businesses to collect, store, and analyze large amounts of data generated by their connected devices. This allows companies to gain insights into system performance, user behavior, and overall operations.
• IoT Device Management: Industrial IoT platforms offer device management tools that allow users to monitor, control, configure and update their connected devices remotely. With these features businesses can manage their networks in a more efficient way with minimal cost and effort.
• Connectivity: Industrial IoT platforms enable companies to connect the entire industrial infrastructure with the internet or private cloud networks. This enables businesses to gain access to a wide array of services such as analytics, machine learning algorithms, predictive maintenance tools etc., which helps them achieve greater operational efficiency.
• Security: IoT systems require secure communication protocols for remote access/control of the edge devices from anywhere at any time. Industrial IoT platforms have built-in security measures that ensure reliable communication between the edge devices and the central platform while protecting against potential malicious attacks or unauthorized access attempts.
• Scalability: Scalability is one of the most important aspects of an industrial IoT system as it enables businesses to add new components (i.e., additional sensors or other connected devices) without any disruption in service or increase in cost. Furthermore, scalability also ensures that businesses are able to quickly adapt to changing market conditions without incurring extra overhead costs.

What Are the Different Types of Industrial IoT Platforms?

• Edge Platforms: These are platforms that serve as an interface between the physical world and a cloud-based system. They enable real-time analysis of data, which can be used to inform decisions in the industrial environment.
• Connectivity Platforms: These are platforms that enable seamless connectivity between different devices in an industrial setting. This type of platform allows IoT devices to communicate with each other, enabling users to access information quickly and efficiently.
• Fleet Management Platforms: These are platforms designed specifically for managing fleets of vehicles or other assets. They allow users to track vehicle performance, assign tasks, monitor fuel consumption, and manage maintenance schedules.
• Security/Identity Management Platforms: In industrial settings there is a need to ensure that data is secure and protected from unauthorized access or manipulation. These platforms provide security features such as authentication, authorization, encryption, and access control.
• Analytics Platforms: Industrial IoT analytics platforms provide advanced analytical capabilities such as predictive analytics, machine learning algorithms, anomaly detection, and statistical modelling capabilities to help make sense of large amounts of data generated by IoT devices in the industrial environment.
• Application Development Platforms: These are platforms designed for developing applications for leveraging the power of Industrial IoT solutions. They provide all the necessary tools needed for building efficient applications with minimal effort.

Recent Trends Related to Industrial IoT Platforms

1. Increased Connectivity: Industrial IoT platforms have seen a major increase in connectivity, allowing for more devices and data to be connected and shared.
2. Improved Data Processing: Industrial IoT platforms are able to process large amounts of data and provide insights that can help inform decisions. This makes them incredibly valuable for optimizing operations.
3. Data Security: With the rise of cyber attacks, increased attention is being paid to the security of industrial IoT platforms. Companies are taking steps to ensure their data is safe and secure, including using encryption and other security measures.
4. Predictive Maintenance: Predictive maintenance is becoming more and more popular with industrial IoT platforms. By using predictive analytics, companies can identify potential issues before they occur, saving time and money while also increasing operational efficiency.
5. Edge Computing: Edge computing allows for data processing to be done at the edge of the network instead of in the cloud. This reduces latency and enables faster decision making for industrial operations.
6. Automation: Automation has been enabled by advances in industrial IoT platforms, enabling companies to automate their processes which can lead to cost savings and improved efficiency.

Benefits Provided by Industrial IoT Platforms

1. Scalability: Industrial IoT platforms provide scalability, enabling businesses to keep pace with their changing needs. This can be done by integrating various services and components that are tailored to the company's specific requirements. Additionally, these platforms often offer support for different types of hardware and software.
2. Connectivity: Industrial IoT platforms facilitate connectivity between devices, networks, and applications within an organization’s IoT ecosystem. This ensures that all parts of the system are able to share data seamlessly and securely.
3. Security: Industrial IoT platforms provide comprehensive security measures such as encryption algorithms that can help protect sensitive data from cyber attacks. Additionally, they often feature access control mechanisms to ensure unauthorized users do not gain access to sensitive information or systems.
4. Analytics: Industrial IoT platforms enable businesses to collect vast amounts of data and generate real-time insights into performance metrics such as energy consumption levels or operational efficiency. With this data companies can accurately measure key performance indicators (KPIs) in order better understand a system’s performance and make informed decisions on where improvements need to be made.
5. Automation: Industrial IoT platforms offer automation capabilities which allow businesses to streamline processes by automating manual tasks or operations based on certain criteria being met or exceeded. For example, automatic power shutdowns could be triggered if pre-determined energy usage thresholds are breached in a particular location or area within a building or facility resulting in cost savings for the organization over time.

How to Find the Right Industrial IoT Platform

Use the comparison engine on this page to help you compare industrial IoT platforms by their features, prices, user reviews, and more.

1. Cost: Industrial IoT platforms vary in cost depending on the features and capabilities they offer. Research the various options available and determine which ones offer the best value for your budget.
2. Data Security: Make sure that any potential platform has strong security measures in place to protect valuable data from cyber threats.
3. Accessibility and Connectivity: Ensure that the platform can easily connect with existing systems or tools, so you don’t need to spend extra time integrating it into your existing infrastructure.
4. Scalability: Consider how you will use the platform over time and if additional resources such as storage capacity, computing power and bandwidth are needed, verify if they are included or can be added later on at a reasonable price.
5. Support: Verify what type of customer support is offered by the provider during onboarding and after purchase, so that you have access to help when needed.

Who Uses Industrial IoT Platforms?

• Business Leaders: These users are responsible for making decisions about how to use technology, from the implementation of an IIoT system to the data analysis and insights they receive. They need to understand the implications of such decisions in order to make informed choices and maximize the return on investment.
• System Integrators: System integrators work with engineers and IT professionals to ensure that IIoT systems are properly installed and configured so that they function as expected.
• Developers: Developers create applications that leverage IIoT data and devices, incorporating them into business processes or providing customers with new services. They often have expertise in software development, coding, and automation.
• Plant Managers: Plant managers oversee various machines, sensors, production lines, and other aspects of the manufacturing environment. They use IIoT platforms to monitor performance, identify areas of improvement, reduce downtime, optimize processes, and control costs.
• Operators: Operators are responsible for controlling operations within a plant or facility through direct interaction with their systems or by interacting with a manual interface such as a console. With IIoT platforms they can now access real-time views of operations from anywhere on the network allowing them to respond quickly when issues arise.
• Maintenance Engineers: Maintenance engineers use IoT systems for preventative maintenance tasks as well as troubleshooting any existing problems or faults in their equipment. Through capturing data generated by sensors or connected machines they can proactively identify potential problems before they become major issues leading to increased uptime and reduced costs associated with repairs.
• Data Analysts & Scientists: Data analysts & scientists take data collected from IoT systems in order to gain insights into various aspects of an operation such as efficiency levels or customer behavior patterns enabling more informed decision making processes related to resource allocation or strategic direction changes.

Industrial IoT Platforms Pricing

Industrial IoT platforms can be expensive, depending on the features and capabilities that are included. Generally, a basic industrial IoT platform can cost anywhere from $2,500 - $25,000 or more for setup and installation. The cost of the platform itself varies depending on the number of nodes that are connected and the complexity of the system design. For example, more complex systems with more variables will require more computing power and therefore may cost more than simpler systems. In addition to purchasing the platform itself, there may also be ongoing maintenance costs associated with it such as software upgrades or server hosting fees.

The cost to scale up an existing Industrial IoT solution is often higher as well because additional hardware and software needs to be purchased in order to accommodate growth in data sources or user demands. If custom development is required, this can add extra time and expense to the project as well. Furthermore, many industrial environments require specialized hardware solutions that come at an additional cost compared to off-the-shelf products due to their unique requirements.

Overall, the cost of an Industrial IoT platform truly depends on its intended usage case, size of deployment, features required for success and any other specialized components necessary for its successful operation.

Types of Software that Industrial IoT Platforms Integrates With

Industrial IoT platforms are designed to facilitate the integration of different types of software. These include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems such as SAP and Oracle E-Business Suite, customer relationship management (CRM) systems such as Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics CRM, analytics and reporting tools such as Tableau, data integration platforms such as MuleSoft, machine learning and AI-based platforms such as H2O.ai, industrial automation software including programs like AVEVA and Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Plant Operation Advisor, edge computing platforms such as AWS Greengrass, digital asset management (DAM), workflow management systems like Nintex Workflow Cloud, Internet of Things (IoT) services and gateways like Siemens Platform OS, cloud storage solutions like Amazon Web Services S3 storage buckets and messaging brokers for streaming data from multiple sources within a system or enterprise. Additionally, industrial IoT platform integrations often carry out specific tasks related to predictive maintenance or process optimization through artificial intelligence algorithms embedded in the platform. Lastly, industrial IoT systems can integrate with industrial AR solutions.