The IoT (Internet of Things) is described as physical objects with sensors, processing power, software, and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices and systems via the Internet or other communication networks.
 The IIOT in the manufacturing industry (Industrial Internet of Things) refers to sensors, instruments, and other devices networked with industrial computer applications, including manufacturing and energy management.
IIoT applications in the industry
 In 2022 we will reach 12 billion devices connected to the Internet according to IIoT Analytics and it is expected that by 2025 we will reach 30 billion devices. And its applications are almost infinite and the sectors in which this technology is applied are increasingly broad.
 But, the IIoT is not only user-centered technology at the service of people’s daily lives. To speak of IIoT is to speak of Industry 4.0, or what we know as the Industrial IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things IIoT).
 Industrial IIoT does not mean large systems and machines that carry out complex industrial processes. Industrial IIoT can also be small devices with artificial intelligence, sensors, and systems capable of providing data, information, and even alarms that help to carry out situation analysis, take action or initiate action protocols automatically.
 Today, there are already hundreds of production plants and industrial infrastructures in the USA that have hundreds of devices and sensors connected to the network in sectors such as energy, railways, or all deployments that can be developed in Smart Cities. They are also achieving great importance in the agriculture, healthcare, and commerce sectors.
 However, according to the consulting firm IDC, the sectors in which the fastest growth is expected are the industrial and automotive sectors, since this technology is called to create environments capable of monitoring, collecting information, analyzing data, and making immediate decisions.
 Uses of IIoT applications in the industry
Among the main uses of IIoT applications in industry, we highlight the following:
Predictive and remote maintenance of infrastructures
Remote maintenance is essential for many types of companies, especially for those with several branches, cloud infrastructures, or dispersed servers. But it is the segment of IIoT platforms based on BMS (Building Management System), which is experiencing the greatest growth in the industry, representing a breakthrough in the control and management of physical infrastructure and buildings.
Intelligent buildings will have a major impact on the cities of the future, so progress is being made in operational improvements related to energy savings and security so that most buildings can be equipped with IIoT technology.
Optimization of energy resources
The production, delivery, and use of energy are becoming increasingly efficient thanks to IIoT applications in the industry. The sensors, devices, and data analytics provided by IIoT bring greater intelligence to equipment and a wealth of information, enabling energy companies to dynamically manage assets, lower maintenance costs, and improve safety.
Discover this article: Mistakes to avoid in your next Industrial IIoT project
 Failure prediction
 IIoT, data analytics, and artificial intelligence are among the main tools used by companies for predictive maintenance. Early identification of errors and their possible solution before they occur, can save up to 40% of companies’ maintenance costs and greater efficiency in the companies’ business.
Predictive maintenance helps companies prevent the recurrence of errors, the detection of anomalies, and the use of historical data for long-term failure predictions. In this way, and thanks to intelligence and learning capabilities, preventive (not reactive) environments can be created, processes can be automated, productivity can be increased, energy can be saved, security risks can be minimized or operational failures can be reduced without the need for human intervention.
Intelligence at the edge
This is the data analysis and solutions development at the point where the data is generated. A very common technology for this use of IIoT would be, for example, cameras, capable of recognizing objects, and people, segmenting them, counting them, etc. After the Covid-19 health crisis, extreme intelligence is in high demand, since thanks to it strategic places can be monitored, such as entrances to educational centers, workplaces, shopping malls, etc.
You may be interested in IIoT Edge, Edge Nodes, and use cases in the Industrial sector.
 IIoT applications in the railway sector
Nowadays, it is becoming difficult to imagine this sector without this technology. It is now almost essential for railway networks to deploy thousands of sensors in their systems to be able to measure the stress and conditions of the tracks, air temperature, and other factors that provide predictive information for maintenance teams.
Altogether, the creation of cybersecurity environments, capable of being managed remotely, means an increase in productivity, performance, and operational efficiency in industrial environments.
This translates into significant competitive advantages, new business opportunities, and, most importantly, significant cost savings.
