Enginuity Future Skills Hub
Engineering and manufacturing is rapidly transforming, making it hard for employers to know what skills they need to keep pace with change. The Enginuity Future Skills Hub aims to demystify the skills, trends and transitions reshaping industries within the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector.
What is The Industrial Internet of Things?
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) refers to the network of interconnected devices, sensors, and machinery in industrial settings, enabling monitoring, analysis, and optimisation of manufacturing processes for increased efficiency and productivity.
The Industrial Internet of Things explained
How is The Industrial Internet of Things used?
The key uses of IIoT lie in monitoring, control, data collection, analysis, safety, and collaboration within manufacturing processes. Examples include:
- Monitoring and control of equipment, machinery, processes, energy consumption, and worker conditions
- Tracking location and movement of materials, work-in-progress, and finished products
- Collecting data for analysis of product quality defects and generation of waste
- Detecting abnormalities or potential failures of machinery and equipment
- Connecting devices and systems in manufacturing environments.
Benefits of The Industrial Internet of Things
The Industrial Internet of Things and Industry 4.0
The Industrial Internet of Things and sustainability
What skills might you need?
Skills required for Industrial Internet of Things include expertise in sensor technologies, networking protocols, and embedded systems development.
Additionally, knowledge of cloud computing platforms, edge computing, and cybersecurity is essential for implementing and managing IIoT solutions effectively in manufacturing environments.
- Solution architecture
- Systems integration
- Data management
- Network design
- Security architecture
- IoT devices
- Automation of industrial processes
- Data analytics
- Software development
- Change implementation planning and management
- Innovation
- Risk management
What skills might you need?
Skills required for Industrial Internet of Things include expertise in sensor technologies, networking protocols, and embedded systems development.
Additionally, knowledge of cloud computing platforms, edge computing, and cybersecurity is essential for implementing and managing IIoT solutions effectively in manufacturing environments.
- Solution architecture
- Systems integration
- Data management
- Network design
- Security architecture
- IoT devices
- Automation of industrial processes
- Data analytics
- Software development
- Change implementation planning and management
- Innovation
- Risk management
Who might need them?
Not everyone in a small and medium-sized manufacturing or engineering business needs to possess all the skills mentioned for Industrial Internet of Things. Different team members contribute to the IIoT implementation process in various capacities, including:
- Leadership and decision-makers
- IT and operations managers
- Engineers and technicians
- Data analysts
- IT and network specialists
- Project managers
- Regulatory and compliance specialists
- Innovation champions
Useful resources
Case Study: Barter for Things
Read about Barter for Things in Eastleigh, to understand some real-world applications of the Internet of Things and the skills needed to create them.
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GE Digital on IIoT
GE Digital's blog demystifies IIoT, highlighting essential skills for industrial connectivity and optimisation.
Read moreControl Global
Find out more about IIoT by visiting Control Global, where they signpost to additional resources and information that will help demystify this topic.
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