IoT Remote Monitoring and Connected Assets: A Competitive Advantage for OEMs

Meeting the Demands of Today’s Industrial Market

If you’re an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), you know the pressure is on. Customers want more, and they want it now. To keep up, you’ve got to find ways to make your operations smarter and faster. The market isn’t waiting, and neither are your clients. It’s about finding that edge that sets you apart. 

Connecting Assets for Operational Excellence

One of the best ways to get that edge? Connecting your equipment. By connecting your machines and using the information they provide, you can make smarter decisions. This means seeing how your products are performing in real-time, fixing problems before they cause downtime, and ultimately, giving your customers better service. Connecting operations isn’t just a trend; it’s a practical way to stay competitive and build a stronger company. 

Understanding the Essentials: Remote Equipment Monitoring and Asset Connectivity

To truly grasp how IoT can transform your operations, let’s break down two key concepts: remote equipment monitoring and asset connectivity. 

Remote Equipment Monitoring: Real-Time Performance Insights

Think of this as having a constant, digital eye on your machinery. It’s about setting up systems to track how your equipment is performing, no matter where it’s located. 

• By connecting your machines to the internet, you gather live data on their status, allowing you to spot potential problems before they escalate.
• This moves you away from reactive fixes to proactive maintenance, saving you time and money.

Asset Connectivity: Making Equipment Smarter

This involves embedding sensors and communication capabilities into your machines, enabling them to “talk” to each other and to central systems. 

This IoT connectivity unlocks new possibilities, such as:  

• Optimizing performance based on real-time data.
• Diagnosing issues quickly and accurately.
• Updating software remotely.

The result? Smarter, more responsive equipment that delivers greater value and reliability to your customers. 

The Business Value: Why Remote Monitoring and Asset Connectivity Matter for OEMs

Investing in IoT remote monitoring and connected assets delivers tangible benefits that can significantly impact an OEM’s success. Here are three key advantages: 

Gaining a Competitive Edge: Product Innovation and Differentiation

• Instead of just selling equipment, offer solutions that anticipate customer needs.
• Integrate sensors and connectivity to provide features like:

1. Early warnings for maintenance.
2. Real-time performance adjustments.
3. Instant problem diagnosis.

• Use remote software updates to continuously improve products, keeping customers satisfied and extending product life.

Strengthening Customer Relationships: Satisfaction and Loyalty

• Customers value reliable equipment that minimizes disruptions.
• Provide remote support to quickly address issues without costly on-site visits.
• This responsiveness builds trust and fosters long-term customer loyalty.

Boosting the Bottom Line: Operational Efficiency and Revenue Growth

• Early problem detection reduces emergency repairs and downtime, lowering operational costs.
• Create new revenue streams with subscription-based services like predictive maintenance.
• Demonstrate forward-thinking by adopting IoT, enhancing market position.

How can OEMs Overcome the Challenges and Limitations of IoT Remote Monitoring and Connected Assets?

While the benefits of IoT are clear, OEMs need to be prepared for potential roadblocks. Here’s a straightforward look at how to tackle common challenges: 

Protecting Your Information: Data Security Essentials

• IoT systems handle valuable data, so security is critical.
• Implement strong IoT security practices:

1. Use encryption to protect data.
2. Set up authentication to control access.
3. Establish clear rules for data handling.

• This builds customer trust by showing you take their data seriously.

Making Systems Work Together: Simplifying Integration

• Connecting different devices and systems can be tricky.
• Focus on making sure everything communicates smoothly:

1. Use standard protocols whenever possible.
2. Work with experts who understand IoT system integration.

• This avoids future headaches and ensures your systems run efficiently.

Preparing for Growth: Scaling Your IoT Solutions

• IoT systems generate a lot of data, and you need to be ready for more.
• Build solutions that can grow with your business:

1. Use IoT cloud services to handle large amounts of data.
2. Consider edge computing to improve performance.

Planning ahead saves time and money as your business expands. 

Improving Inventory: Keeping the Right Parts on Hand

Connected equipment helps you manage your parts and supplies better. By seeing how your equipment is used, you can know when parts will need replacing and keep the right amount of stock. This avoids shortages, cuts down on wasted inventory, and ensures you have what’s needed when it’s needed. Also, connecting to your supply chain lets you track materials in real-time, improving efficiency and reducing delays. This kind of tracking makes your operations smoother. 

Making Smarter Choices: Using Data for Business Growth

Using IoT is not just about fixing today’s problems; it’s about setting up your business to make better decisions in the long-term. By collecting and studying data from your equipment, you learn a lot about how your products are used and where improvements can be made. This data helps you design better products, plan marketing, and make smarter choices about how you run your business. Using data to make decisions can lead to savings, more sales, and a stronger market position. 

Boosting Performance: Bridgera’s Custom IoT Solutions for OEMs

To succeed in the industrial market, OEMs need to use effective technologies. IoT remote monitoring and connected assets are essential for growth and efficiency. Bridgera offers custom IoT solutions that allow OEMs to monitor and improve their assets, leading to better customer satisfaction. 

Bridgera Monitoring provides OEMs with instant access to important operational data, enabling proactive maintenance and continuous product improvement. This leads to products that stand out, stronger customer relationships, and increased business growth.  

Partnering with Bridgera provides OEMs a competitive advantage, securing their success in the industrial market. Take action now to ensure your future. 

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: Joydeep Misra is the Senior Vice President of Technology at Bridgera LLC, specializing in IoT and SaaS. He played a pivotal role in establishing and leading Bridgera’s IoT division, showcasing a dedication to innovation and excellence in the tech field. Additionally, he is an accomplished author and sought-after public speaker.