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Industrialization, as we know it today, is undergoing a transformation. With the emergence of new technologies, a concept is at the heart of this revolution: IoT,
What does IoT mean?
IoT, or Internet of Things, refers to the merger between the physical world of objects around us and the digital world of the Internet. In short, it is the ability of these objects to be linked to each other or to centralized systems, communicating via the Internet. In the industrial context, this implies that machines, tools, or even parts can exchange information and interact autonomously.
How important is IoT in industrialization?
The introduction of IoT into industry is not just a passing trend, but a major turning point. According to a recent study by Grand View Research, the global Industrial Internet of Things market value is expected to reach $1,693.30 billion, with an estimated growth rate of 23.2% by 2030. .
This technology makes factories smarter, optimizes the flexibility of production lines and revolutionizes maintenance by making it predictive. Its scope of application in the industry is very broad, ranging from maximizing operational efficiency to better understanding customer needs.
IoT provides industries with unprecedented visibility into their operational processes. Real-time monitoring of equipment via intelligent sensors allows prompt intervention in the event of anomalies, thus minimizing unplanned shutdowns. According to a Senseye study, leveraging IoT for predictive maintenance could save 1.6 million hours of downtime each year. This would equate to an increase in production of 6% and a reduction in maintenance costs of 40%.
IoT also helps maintain high quality standards through constant monitoring of production parameters. Any deviation, even slight, from the standard can be instantly rectified, ensuring higher quality production and reducing damage. According to a 2020 McKinsey study, companies that proactively invested in industrial IoT solutions saw an improvement in product quality of up to 25%, while increasing customer satisfaction.
Beyond these direct benefits, IoT opens the way to even more significant innovations, such as fully automated factories or ultra-personalized production on demand. In short, IoT is not only transforming the industry, it is completely redesigning it.
What are the challenges of IoT in the industry?
Although the use of IoT is beneficial to the industrial sector, it also comes with certain challenges.
First, challenges related to data security and confidentiality are highlighted. Although cybersecurity is a major concern, IoT devices are sometimes relegated to the back burner in business strategies. These devices must be protected against physical intrusions, malware and all forms of cyberattacks. Ensuring strong security for thousands of connected devices in an industrial context requires resources – time, money and effort – that not all companies are willing to devote.
Added to this is a lack of standardization of IoT equipment, making their integration complex. Implementing these innovative technologies within existing, sometimes obsolete, systems constitutes a considerable technical challenge.
Furthermore, the introduction of IoT in the industrial world often involves significant investments. The deployment of this technology does not only concern the acquisition of connected devices: it also includes integration costs, team training, modernization of existing infrastructures, and the purchase of appropriate software. These initial expenses may deter some businesses, especially those that do not have a clear perception of the return on investment they could achieve through IoT.
How does the IoT architecture for predictive maintenance work?
By interconnecting machines, systems and processes, IoT is revolutionizing the way industries work, optimize their operations and anticipate their needs. Beyond this simple connectivity, it is important to understand how this integration of the IoT materializes concretely in a system of predictive maintenance. This approach is structured around 4 key stages:
- Capture data : At the heart of any IoT system are sensors. The latter probe and scan the environment, recording variations such as thermal differences, pressure alterations or even vibration oscillations, in order to provide a faithful representation of the health of the machines.
- Data sharing : Data communication is essential for the real-time transfer of information from sensors to a central storage system. This communication can be done via wired networks, i.e. Edge , or wireless, i.e. Cloud , using transfer protocols such as MQTT, CoAP or HTTP.
- Data storage : Storage is crucial for handling the large amounts of data collected by IoT sensors. From this perspective, solutions hosted on the cloud , offered by giants such as AWS, Azure or Google Cloud , stand out for their ability to offer flexible space, while guaranteeing data security.
- Use the data: The heart of predictive maintenance is based on the judicious use of the data collected. By analyzing this information, it is possible to identify trends, spot potential failures and ultimately take preventive action thanks to the alerts and recommendations generated.
The implementation of an IoT architecture for predictive maintenance undeniably demonstrates the technological evolution of the industry. However, as advanced as IoT is, it cannot realize its full potential without leveraging the power of AI.
Conclusion
The advent of IoT marks a promising chapter in the industrialization narrative, building a bridge between the tangible and the virtual. This merger augurs an interconnected industrial universe, where operational intelligence marries responsiveness, and where predictability combines with efficiency. However, the advent of this technological revolution is not without pitfalls, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and standardization. The challenges inherent in integrating and securing IoT systems call for deep reflection and significant investment.
The initial financial implications may seem daunting, but the long-term competitive benefits are worth it. IoT, in synergy with artificial intelligence, stands as a vector of transformation, propelling industries towards a future in which predictive maintenance, operational efficiency and quality excellence will be the pillars of industrial competitiveness. It is no longer simply a matter of keeping up with the pace of innovation, but of co-creating it. Despite the challenges to be overcome, the proactive and informed adoption of IoT is the prelude to a renewed industrial era, where data will be the fuel of autonomous machines, and the keystone of informed strategic decisions.
