“The Internet of Things is about much more than just connecting devices”
Running factories from our phones, adaptive robots that work alongside with humans or 3D printing are just a few characteristics of smart manufacturing. Nico Steyn, CEO of IoT.nxt shares his thoughts about Industrial IoT, connecting devices, and the role of the Internet of Things in defining a new way of doing business.
Carol Rudinschi: Nico, from your perspective, what are the most exciting things happening in Industrial IoT?
Nico Steyn: The thing that excites me the most is the fact that there is a realization in the world that what we are achieving with Internet of Things does not only reside in the cloud, and therefore there is more and more vital debate and discussion around the power that resides in the edge. Take that thinking and combine that with tech such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and cognitive analytics and you have just entered a new realm of what is possible. This isn’t theoretical anymore. It is becoming real and people are starting to understand this. The Internet of Things is about much more than just connecting devices; new technologies unlock a new way of thinking.
Carol Rudinschi: What is the future of manufacturing and how will technology play a role?
Nico Steyn: The best way to describe the future of manufacturing is: “just in time”. What I mean by this is “I get what I need, when I need it”. I manufacture in near real-time exactly what my customer needs, and deliver it to him. The advent of 3D printing and similar technology will see large manufacturing and distribution chains as they currently exist disintermediated.
The connected nature towards which we are migrating will allow manufacturers to better understand what their customers require on a real-time basis. This in turn enables the manufacturer to recalibrate not only the actual manufacturing part of the business and what they procure, but also to become highly competitive, super in-tune with what their customer requirements are, down to quality requirements per customer. That transparency will drive product improvement and customer satisfaction to new levels. Manufacturers will not order more raw material than they need.
Think about latency and how this will be addressed. Consider this example: a customer wants a product; there’s the procurement of materials, import, export, shipping, logistics, manufacturing – it can take up to six months or more. Whereas, utilising IoT and technology such as ever-improving 3D printing, the manufacturer could print the product on site and deliver the next morning. The future of manufacturing is built on an entire paradigm shift.
Carol Rudinschi: What factors do you think would most accelerate the adoption of the Internet of Things in manufacturing?
Nico Steyn: Proof of value and return on investment. Various organizations around the world have commissioned studies into Industrial IoT, as have we in the form of surveys and real-life feedback from meeting with business leaders, and the most immediate obstacle to the rollout of IoT platforms is proof of value. Once return on investment can be demonstrated – and it always is – companies are comfortable rolling out across their business.
Another factor obstructing IoT rollout in some instances is the existing investment in legacy systems. With a rip-and-replace approach to Internet of Things the costs are staggering, and for many manufacturers who are already operating on tight margins this reality is not palatable.
We have found that by being able to retrofit onto existing legacy systems and prove how an IoT rollout supports the business strategy, the business case for IoT rollout is clear.
Carol Rudinschi: Is security in conflict with interoperability and connected devices?
Nico Steyn: No, I don’t believe security is in conflict with connected devices. On the contrary, I think it intrinsically must form part of it.
