Three future Industrial IoT trends manufacturers should think about now

 The adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) in industrial sectors is on the rise, with many organizations now having some experience of the benefits it can bring. However, digital transformation is an ongoing process, with new technologies emerging all the time that fit into the IoT ecosystem. These technologies can make IoT easier to adopt and help deliver greater benefits, and it is these trends that drive and influence the direction of advancement.


Fueled by the larger topics of AI and IoT, manufacturers in the industrial verticals can expect increased adoption in three key areas: micromanufacturing, additive manufacturing, and digital twins.


Micromanufacturing, which involves scaling down production volume, is becoming mainstream as consumer demand shifts away from mass production and towards customized experiences. This requires lower investment, less real estate, and fewer resources, making it popular with new businesses and established brands alike. It is dependent on technologies such as AI and advanced robotics, which allow more to be done with less machinery in a smaller physical area.


Additive manufacturing is also becoming more popular as it allows for on-demand manufacturing, continuous improvement without wasting inventory, and less need for warehousing finished products. As equipment continues to improve, more manufacturers will turn to this approach for design and assembly.


Digital twins, which are virtual representations of the real world, allow manufacturers to run "what if" scenarios at high speed, trial changes to production environments virtually, and model entire supply chains. These twins are becoming more widespread with the roll-out of universal languages to describe the built world and make it easy to model.


All these trends are co-dependent, relying on data provided by the IoT, and building on the benefits that AI brings to the IoT. Realizing the advantages of these technologies will also emphasize the importance of distribution and a robust supply chain partner, as agile micromanufacturing requires everything to be on time.


Companies like Avnet, a leading supplier of IoT solutions, can help customers at any stage of their IoT journey and bring everything together in a single, managed environment. As these trends continue to evolve, manufacturers should be aware of them and consider how they can be applied to their operations to improve efficiency and stay competitive in the industry.

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