Understanding IoT and IIoT – ListDen

Most probably you have heard the term “Internet of Things” but do you know what exactly it means. From smartwatches to smart appliances, IoT is transforming the way we live. Most of the household appliances are now connected to the web and this doesn’t stop here. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is revolutionizing the way industrial companies operate from day-to-day. Digitization has become a priority for many organizations which has resulted in unprecedented growth and adoption of IIoT. So, what IoT and IIoT mean?

What is the Internet of Things?

The Internet of Things (IoT) connects billions of physical devices to the internet to collect and share data by ‘talking’ to each other. IoT connects those objects with the internet that require human intervention. The purpose of connecting devices is to create a more connected world.

IoT connects consumer devices on closed private internet connections to make our daily tasks easier. Your smart fitness band, smart refrigerator, and smart doorbell- all are connected devices that gather information and analyze it to help you complete particular tasks. For instance, a Smart Fridge can perform tasks without your intervention such as assessing food supplies. Likewise, there can be a driver-less automated vehicle or a speaker that takes voice commands to play music.

What is the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)?

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as the Industrial Internet, connects billions of industrial devices to bring together machines, advanced analytics, and people at work. IIOT can connect anything to wireless networks- be it machines in a factory or the airplane engines. By connecting industrial devices to communications technologies, businesses can monitor, collect, exchange, analyze, and deliver valuable new insights. The collected data is analyzed and used for making efficient and faster business decisions.

IIoT is transforming industries by streamlining daily operations, improving productivity, and enabling predictive analytics. Businesses can take timely action by predicting machine failure or corrosion inside a refinery pipe to reduce downtime and workplace accidents. IIoT is adopted by companies at a rapid pace and it’s expected that more than half of businesses will run on the IoT by 2020. This has become possible due to the availability of low-cost sensors and high-bandwidth wireless networks that can connect even the smallest devices.

What’s the difference between the Internet of Things and the Industrial Internet of Things?

The IoT is often confused with IIoT because there’s some overlap between the two. The Internet of Things (IoT) includes consumer-level devices such as heart monitoring fitness bands, smart home speakers, smart lights, or other smart home appliances. IoT and IIoT are different; however, they both share the same fundamental idea of using sensors and automation to make processes more efficient. But unlike IIoT, the IoT focuses on normal people to make their daily life easier and more joyful.

The Industrial Internet, on the other hand, connects critical machines in industries where system failures and unplanned downtime can result in life-threatening or high-risk situations. The IIoT is already adopted by the manufacturing, retail, transport, and healthcare industries to deliver powerful financial and operational outcomes. The data gathered by connected machines help in predictive maintenance to reduce unexpected downtime. With the help of IIoT, retailers can improve their supply chain and transport companies can keep an eye on their vehicle fleets.

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