The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the networking and integration of industrial machines, sensors, and systems over the Internet to collect, analyze, and use data. This enables more efficient monitoring, control and optimization of production processes.

Benefits of the IIoT:

  • Advanced diagnostics: Intelligent IO-Link devices record and report error messages, contamination levels, temperatures, or other operating conditions in real time, enabling predictive maintenance.
     
  • Automatic parameterization: After a device is replaced, the configuration is automatically loaded by the controller, reducing downtime and simplifying commissioning and component replacement.
     
  • Data aggregation and preprocessing: An edge gateway collects and processes real-time data from sensors, machines or controllers, reducing data volume and optimizing latency through local computation.
     
  • Protocol Translation and Interfaces: Edge gateways support industrial OT protocols and connect OT to IT via various communication protocols, enabling interoperability between different systems and vendors. 
     
  • Edge computing and AI analytics: Local computation and analysis at the point of production enables predictive maintenance through machine learning at the edge.
     
  • Security and firewall capabilities: Edge gateways provide encryption and access control to prevent cyber-attacks and protect internal production networks.
     
  • Cloud and IT connectivity: Edge gateways connect local machines to cloud platforms, enabling remote monitoring and centralized control via dashboards.
     
  • Remote parameterization and asset monitoring: These techniques are used to reduce costs and increase plant availability.

These benefits demonstrate how IIoT technologies can improve the efficiency, safety, and flexibility of industrial automation.