Internet Of Manufacturing – Patterns Of IoT Success
Internet of Manufacturing
Technology leaders, business strategists, and product innovators from manufacturers across the globe gathered together a few weeks ago at the Internet of Manufacturing event based on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, IL. The event presented valuable opportunities to learn, network and discuss challenges and trends in IoT for the Industrial sector. Key themes at the event were digital transformation, changing customer expectations, workforce demographics, connectivity opportunities, and revenue growth.
Challenges for Industrial IoT
There is a lot that goes into digital transformation and adopting IoT within the Industrial space. To make a successful shift from traditional thinking (decisions with certainty, 5-year plans, success at all cost) to digital thinking (calculated risks, failing smart, and agile thinking) takes time and buy-in from the entire organization.
New innovative use cases such as autonomous shop floor drones, cobots, AI-based predictive maintenance, AR/VR/MR for training and field support, and blockchain based supply chain are fuel for smarter business. Manufacturers can collect and utilize data (that was obsolete before IIoT) to make better decisions for the organization, reduce production & training costs, decrease risks of injury, and allow for greater focus on value and improved customer experiences.
Patterns of IoT Success
This digital transformation age for IIoT is affording countless lessons. Trends of success are emerging with clear & aligned objectives, repeatable innovation, and eventually victory for the business. Here is what we know:
- Organizations should always start with system-level business planning to decide the what and why. Too many projects start without this planning, and eventually, companies lose precious time and incur additional costs for unexpected needs.
- A well thought out system design, combined with inter-usability design should align the who and how with the originating business plan.
- Developing node-level architecture and node-level UX design during the system-level planning process will provide more successful outcomes.
- In each success scenario, there is a high regard for partnership – identifying people, process, and technology to navigate the challenges and the plans that are critical to successful outcomes. For most companies, managing the risk and benefits alone are significant obstacles. Partnering with a strategic, experienced and well-rounded development partner will provide the guidance to go the distance with success.
Learn More about IoT
It is essential to take steps to understand where you are in the IoT journey.
- Awareness of IoT – Secure a basic understanding of IoT, capture innovative ideas and put them on an appropriate path towards learning and eventually understanding the value in IoT.
- Evaluation of how IoT should impact your industry and business – Proof of concepts, R&D, UX Research.
- Adoption of IoT into products and projects with good system level architecture and product road mapping.
- Strategic organizational structure, clearly communicated plans and goals around IoT, with the right experience at the right time.
The IoT of Manufacturing event shed light on the opportunities for technology innovation and IoT within the Industrial space. We at SpinDance are excited to continue helping manufacturers along in their IoT journey.