IIoT Platforms in the Cloud: Looking to the Future

The concept of the cloud has permeated modern life like almost nothing else. The general idea is a relatively straightforward one – the cloud is a series of servers with incredible computing power that can be accessed from everywhere via the internet. Today, nearly everything we do on a computer can be stored and processed in the cloud. It is a convenient way to organize and access nearly any digital item we might need, but its capabilities go far beyond that of a virtual storage facility. When it comes to the manufacturing realm, cloud-based industrial IoT infrastructure provides an immense range of benefits – from improved cyber security to long-term cost savings and scalability, the advantages are nearly endless. Understanding how IIoT platforms in the cloud work, how companies can leverage them, and what adoption means for the future of a factory is essential to the longevity of any manufacturer.

What is Cloud IIoT?

With the infrastructure provided by cloud computing, industrial IoT platform users have access to an outstanding amount of resources. Cloud-based IIoT allows stakeholders from across the globe to remotely view and access data provided by the platform, collaborate on any projects, and receive full insights into the data from any connected location around the world. This level of remote access would not be possible without the support of cloud networks and infrastructure. Furthermore, the cloud can also be utilized in tandem with digital twin models, which show real-time representations of various assets or processes within the IIoT platform. Other common manufacturing facility features like AI and machine learning, predictive models, and performance monitoring are also often paired with cloud-based industrial internet of things platforms, because the huge amount of resources they require are easily available in the cloud.

Cloud-Based IIoT Platforms: The Benefits

The advantages of utilizing cloud IIoT are seemingly endless. To name just a few of the most important:

• • Simple Startup: Through the cloud, manufacturers no longer need to maintain their own servers, making initial investments less expensive and startup a breeze, especially as experts aren’t required to keep cloud-based industrial IoT platform infrastructure running.
  • Cyber Security Focus: Along with any IIoT platform comes sensitive information. Cloud computing provides users with the opportunity to add multiple layers of protection that secure data against cyber threats. These layers include firewalls, encryption, intrusion detection, and much more. The vast majority of cloud providers will help manufacturers implement cutting-edge cyber security measures to keep data safe, without requiring an investment in additional personnel or resources.
  • Future Scalability: Predicting the future can be difficult and many companies don’t know how many sensors or devices they might need in one year’s time, much less five or ten. Cloud IIoT is oftentimes significantly more scalable than local infrastructure.
  • Easy Integration and Streamlined Connectivity: Cloud-based IIoT is designed with user friendliness in mind. It’s easy to integrate into existing systems and connect to current devices and sensors without requiring thorough technical knowledge. Furthermore, Industrial IoT platforms with a cloud-based infrastructure centralize each aspect of the network into one cohesive dashboard, eliminating any need to manually configure individual elements like machines or devices.