KORANE’S OUTLOOK Ken Korane • Contributing Editor
The democratization of IoT Most advocates for fluid power technology are well aware of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), where factory floor and mobile equipment are fitted with sensors, connected to wireless networks and send vast volumes of data to the cloud. Analyzing the data in real time gives manufacturers a better idea of how their production lines are operating, predicts when machines need servicing, improves efficiency and safety, and even opens up new revenue streams.
data-centric business strategy. Data, in the hands of many, creates competitive advantages,” said Kraemer, because knowledge that is widely accessible ensures more stakeholders embrace, support and benefit from IIoT. In this set-up, a company’s own sensors, devices and machines connect to a preconfigured IoT platform, in this case Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT, which accesses data using common fieldbus protocols. The platform provides out-of-the-box applications, such as for building plug-and-play dashboards, so users can define workflows, manage devices, analyze anomalies and view statistics. It can also remotely The devil, unfortunately, is in the details. While large organizations connect to HMIs and seamlessly integrate with order-management have made progress, many potential users of IIoT — especially small and ERP systems. to mid-size firms — are still on the sidelines when it comes to mass “There is no need for coding to get started with IoT projects,” adoption due to the cost, complexity and risk. Kraemer emphasized. “Algorithms are easily created using a dragJuergen Kraemer, General Manager, IoT and Analytics at and-drop GUI without any programming knowledge.” Companies can Software AG, says there’s a better option. In a presentation, “The start with just 5 or 10 sensors and the tools needed to connect and democratization of IIoT,” at last month’s Hannover Fair Digital Days, he explained how hands-on experts like machine operators, engineers manage devices, and implement functions like remote monitoring in a matter of days. Then they can scale up as practical and evolve toward and plant managers can be equipped with self-service software tools condition monitoring and more-advanced analytics. to readily access, analyze and act on IIoT data. “These tools can be This approach holds several advantages. Manufacturers can focus used by everyone, not just software developers and data scientists,” on their core expertise and build on top of a proven software base, he said, and leveraging them has a powerful effect. which also brings enterprise-grade features like multitenancy, high “In our interconnected world, companies that implement a digital strategy will be better positioned to innovate and differentiate. availability, scalability and security. It can even be offered as a managed solution with usage-based pricing to minimize investment risk. But success is not just about technology, it’s about establishing a In contrast, constructing a complete, custom IoT solution — relying on hyperscalers and a sizeable development team that must select and network many devices and platform services — can take months or years to complete and realize return on investment. Numerous businesses have gotten on board. Pneumatics manufacturer SMC Corp., for example, has partnered with Software AG to help adapt customers’ machines for smart networking and decentralized intelligence. As most air cylinders are already fitted with sensors, integrating them on the Cumulocity IoT platform permits real-time monitoring, reports on latency times and impending faults, and generates reliable analytics tailored to each machine. It’s evolved to include leakage detection services and energy efficiency tracking. “While today’s organizations are realizing that IoT has the power to completely transform any business, it is abundantly clear that the majority of these organizations experience significant barriers to effective IoT implementation,” said Kraemer. The democratization of IoT provides an efficient and agile path to widespread adoption and success. IIoT permits wireless monitoring and analysis of machine systems. FPW
10
FLUID POWER WORLD
8 • 2020
www.fluidpowerworld.com
