The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a transformative effect on industries across the globe. Manufacturing is a key sector that has benefitted from IoT integration. This tech enables devices, systems and machines to be connected via the internet. This allows easy remote management, enables real-time monitoring and data-driven insights to ameliorate decision making.
When it comes to manufacturing, IoT connectivity and integration significantly improves efficiency, product quality, safety and productivity. With remote IoT device management remaining central to such advances, it’s easy for manufacturers to optimize operations while reducing costs and downtime.
The Benefits of IoT Remote Management in Manufacturing
While there are many benefits of Remote Management in manufacturing, let’s dive into the major ones –
Better Product Quality
In manufacturing, ensuring product quality is the most important aspect. And this is where IoT technology comes in. It plays a critical role during the production process. With IoT, sensors track several qualities, metrics, and are able to immediately provide feedback on any deviations from standards. Such real-time feedback empowers manufacturing companies to identify problems, inconsistencies, defects and quality issues almost immediately, and take corrective actions.
For instance, imagine if a machine’s temperature or pressure is maybe outside the ideal range. In a process that doesn’t have IoT remote monitoring, this could affect the product’s final quality. However, with IoT remote management, alerting operators and getting the settings ideal becomes proactive. This is why IoT integration can maintain higher consistency in quality, especially when it comes to manufacturing.
Predictive Maintenance and Real-Time Monitoring
We’ve already touched upon how real-time monitoring can lead to better quality of products, simply by integrating IoT into manufacturing processes. IoT enables remote real-time monitoring of production lines and machinery. Strategically placed IoT sensors collect and transmit data on performance aspects like temperature, pressure, vibration, etc. With such iterative data, manufacturers can avoid costly mistakes by identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in real-time.
Machine vibration changes could be indicative of wear and tear, repairs or maintenance. IoT remote monitoring enables operators to learn such insights proactively.
When it comes to manufacturing, IoT enables predictive maintenance, extend equipment life, and eliminate unexpected downtimes. It eliminates the need for scheduled maintenance models, as it enables operators to use data insights and predict when maintenance is required, ultimately leading to optimized resource allocation and cost savings.
Optimized Supply Chains
IoT in manufacturing can provide real-time data on inventory levels, material usage, and supply chain performance. It helps optimize supply chain management. Due to real-time monitoring, IoT devices enable better decision making, inventory management, and better stock control.
With IoT monitoring system, manufacturers can overcome stockouts, and overstocking type of issues. For instance, when a particular component inventory is running low, IoT devices can automatically raise restock orders, expediting production times.
Increased Safety, Compliance and Productivity
Safety is one of the biggest concerns in manufacturing. IoT devices mitigate safety issues by monitoring the environment, machine conditions, and operator behavior. While IoT sensors detect abnormalities in systems and machines, wearable IoT devices can track operator health, thereby creating a safer environment.
Apart from detecting hazards, IoT devices can assure regulatory compliance, and prevent accidents.
In terms of productivity, by automating manual tasks and eliminating human error, IoT remote management directly increases operational efficiency. IoT sensors collect and process data, providing real-time actionable insights into every aspect of their operations, from production line speeds to energy usage.
IoT can also enhance overall production workflows. By connecting devices and equipment, manufacturers can optimize production schedules, reduce downtime, and improve the coordination of various tasks across the factory floor. This leads to an increase in overall productivity, enabling manufacturers to meet higher demand without increasing costs.
Reduced Costs
The biggest driver of IoT adoption in manufacturing is the obvious cost benefits of such an approach. Predictive maintenance, automation, down-time minimization, and assured safety and compliance all contribute to the bottom line. IoT devices also monitor energy consumption patterns and can help identify areas of significant utility bill reductions. IoT device monitoring can also increase machine lifespan and maintain equipment for longer times, directly reducing costs.
Security Considerations in IoT Remote Management
While the adoption of IoT in manufacturing has many benefits, there are some aspects that manufacturing companies must consider –
- With connected and IoT-driven manufacturing, processes are more susceptible to data breaches, cyberattacks and other security risks.
- Remote access can also lead to interceptions and malicious attacks as data is transferred across networks.
What this means is that manufacturers simply must put in place stringent measures for security, encryption of network traffic and role-based access, while implementing IoT in their existing processes.
Your Competitors Are Already Implementing IoT Remote Management, Are You?
Recent studies show that over 48% of manufacturers already deploy comprehensive IoT remote management solutions for their companies. This helps improve their efficiency and future-proofs their businesses to stay competitive in Industry 4.0.
Finding the right IoT solutions provider is a key to continued success. At Bridgera, we bring over eight years of experience in serving manufacturers to cater to the unique needs of your niche. Get a free consultation to know more about our fully customized solutions for manufacturers. Our IoT PoC solution is ready to go in just two weeks, and we help you scale up as your company grows.
About Bridgera: Bridgera effortlessly combines innovation and expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions using connected intelligence. We engineer experiences that go beyond expectations, equipping our clients with the tools they need to excel in an increasingly interconnected world. Since our establishment in 2015, Bridgera, headquartered in Raleigh, NC, has specialized in crafting and managing tailored SaaS solutions for web, mobile, and IoT applications across North America.
About Author: Krishna Varma is a writer and researcher, who enjoys writing about technology, IoT, and lifestyle. When she isn’t writing and reading, you’ll find her relaxing with a quiet cup of tea over the weekends.