Three strategies that will enable IIoT deployment

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has the potential to revolutionise Australia’s food and beverage sector, enabling production enhancements and driving more efficient processes. Yet, according to Beckhoff Technical Sales Engineer Rakitha De Alwis, local uptake still lags behind its international counterparts.

One major concern of adopting IIoT is opening up the factory to a potential cyber attack. These risks can be mitigated and should not be a deterrent. In many ways the benefits will outweigh the risks.

Another barrier is the perceived high cost of IIoT technology and deployment. Yet IIoT can be implemented in small steps, and hardware items have become more competitively priced over the years.

“A pilot project is not costly, especially for companies who have an internal IT team. In addition, manufacturers can make use of the varied free and open-source software solutions on offer, as well as the free trials offered by large enterprise solutions,” he said.

As more industry players make use of the technology, and deepen their understanding of its application and benefits, adoption of IIoT will accelerate.

“Globally, IIoT is growing in popularity and is expected to reach a value of over US$40 billion by 2033, De Alwis added. “It offers a host of benefits — from more efficient monitoring of cold chains and stock levels to predictive maintenance and on-demand manufacturing. The result is optimised consumption of raw materials, less wastage and — most importantly — enhanced energy efficiency.”

With its interconnected network of smart devices and sensors that collect, share and analyse real-time data, IIoT empowers manufacturers with insights that could impact the quality and quantity of production and, ultimately, the business bottom line. In addition, IIoT also addresses industry-specific challenges such as labour shortages and food safety regulations.

“Instead of relying on yesterday’s data, manufacturers using IIoT tech have access to real-time data, allowing them to rectify or optimise processes on the go, helping to prevent losses before they occur. The cost saving and quality improvement benefits are experienced not only by manufacturing businesses, but by their end consumers too.”

Getting started

De Alwis offers the following advice to speed up IIoT implementation in production facilities:

• Refine your needs: Understand your processes and products thoroughly to pinpoint where your IIoT needs truly lie. Keep in mind that the tech is best applied to enhance processes or products that are already sound.
• Start small: Identify one aspect of the business that can be improved with a pilot project.
• Choose the right partners: Hire experienced professionals to support your IIoT implementation.

Overcoming challenges

A current hurdle for local industries is the scarcity of IIoT specialists.

“There won’t be a supply of these skills without demand from local industry. It would be beneficial for Australian universities and TAFE colleges to train up the next generation of technicians and engineers who can implement IIoT. As more and more of these skills will be required moving forward, specialists should be available and affordable to speed up the implementation of IIoT,” De Alwis added.

Looking ahead, he anticipates that that the market will embrace IIoT and many of the larger manufacturing companies have already implemented it to some degree.

“The Australian food and beverage manufacturing sector shouldn’t be left behind, especially as we rely heavily on our food and beverage exports. We won’t remain competitive if we are not up to date with the latest innovations,” he concluded.

Image credit: iStock.com/leventince