Efficient Plant Nov./Dec 2019 - 6

column | editorial

Are You
On the IIoT
Bandwagon?
Gary L. Parr
Editorial Director

The Microsoft IoT Signals research report
provides a clear picture of the rapidly growing
role of IoT technology in the global market. Download it at: efficientplantmag.com/1910signals.

LEARN MORE:

 Download the full IoT Signals report at:
efficientplantmag.com/1910signals.
 Listen to a podcast with Microsoft's
Jaishree Subramania about the report
and its meaning at efficientplantmag.
com/1910signalspod.
 Listen to a podcast with Microsoft's
Galen Hunt in which we discuss IoT pros,
cons, and security issues at efficientplantmag.com/1910iotpod.

| EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM

F IT ISN'T already, the Internet of
Things and, more specifically, the
Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)
should be a regular topic of discussion
in your organization. The technology
and what it can do for your efficiency,
reliability, enterprise-wide communication, product quality, and supply
chain can literally change your game.
Many still wonder whether they
should jump on the bandwagon and,
more important, if there is anyone else
on that wagon. There is nothing scarier
in the technology realm than being a
solo participant. The answer is, you'd
have lots of company, at least according
to a recent research study conducted by
Microsoft.
The 2019 study, IoT Signals, involves
responses from 3,000 decision makers
from the U. S., UK, Germany, France,
China, and Japan. Drawn from a range
of areas, including manufacturing,
retail/wholesale, government, transportation, and healthcare, respondents are
the main cogs of our global economy.
Here are some results:
 85% say they have at least one IoT
project in either the learning, proof-ofconcept, purchase, or use phase. Many
reported one or more projects in use.
 Adoption is essentially equal: U.S.
(87%), UK (73%), Germany (88%),
France (87%), China (88%), Japan (83%).
 Industry adoption is very high: manufacturing (87%), retail/wholesale (90%),
transportation (86%), government (83%),
and healthcare (82%).
 94% say they will use IoT in the next
2 yr. and 88% view it as critical to overall
success.
 Answering that all-important "why"

question, 56% say they're adopting it to
optimize operations, 47% to improve
employee productivity, 44% to increase
safety and security, 40% for better
supply-chain management, 50% to boost
quality insurance, and 33% to enhance
asset tracking.
 The top three IoT benefits cited by
the respondents are increased efficiency
(91%), increased yield (91%), and
improved quality (85%).
But this is not nirvana. The top
challenges noted by respondents are
complexity/technical challenges (38%),
lack of budget/staff resources (29%),
lack of knowledge (29%), searching for
correct solution (28%), and security
(19%). In that list, security is the lowest
concern, but it should not be viewed as
a minor priority. In fact, it should be a
top priority. Your IIoT-based network is
worthless if it isn't as cyber-secure as you
can make it.
Security considerations are a question
that Microsoft asked in the research.
Here are the top five:
 Ensuring network-level security
(43%).
 Tracking/managing each IoT device
(38%).
 Security endpoints for each device
(38%).
 Updating encryption protocols
(34%).
 Conducting comprehensive training
programs (33%).
Concerns not withstanding, the IoT
bandwagon is moving forward, it's loaded with people, and it's rapidly gaining
speed. If you're not already riding, hustle
to catch up. EP
gparr@efficientplantmag.com

NOV/DEC 2019

http://www.efficientplantmag.com/1910signals http://www.efficientplantmag.com/1910signals http://www.efficientplantmag.com/1910signalspod http://www.efficientplantmag.com/1910iotpod http://www.cientplantmag.com http://www.EFFICIENTPLANTMAG.COM

Efficient Plant Nov./Dec 2019

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