How to Recharge Manufacturing with IoT

IoT holds immense potential and promise throughout the value chain across multiple segments of the manufacturing and logistics industries. But there are numerous challenges that must be addressed before exploiting the full potential of IoT

The Internet of Things represents a scenario in which every object is embedded with a sensor and is capable of automatically communicating its state with other objects and automated systems within the environment. Each object represents a node in a virtual or wired network, continuously transmitting a large volume of data about itself and its surroundings.

Products built with this capability are often referred to as the new breed of connected products. Examples include smart grid, connected cars, and networked and connected factories.

IoT holds immense potential and promise throughout the value chain across multiple segments of the manufacturing and logistics industries transportation and logistics, energy and utilities, and automotive. In the transportation and logistics industry, for example, as products with sensors and embedded tags move across the supply chain, their transmitted information interacts with various partner and in-house systems in warehouses and distribution centers. The flow of material can thus become completely transparent. Various key decisions can be made much more quickly and effectively using information captured by readers through the supply chain. The process can even be made completely autonomous.

Furthermore, a range of possibilities across core functional and process areas also exists, such as in connected supply chain, plant floor control automation, remote monitoring and management of critical assets, energy management and resource optimization, and proactive maintenance.