In this short article and video, we explain the key differences between the Internet of Things (IoT), the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and Industry 4.0
IoT describes the concept that in addition to people using the Internet to communicate there are now devices and machines able to transfer information into the network.
Industry 4.0 is about the optimization of production processes under the influence of the Internet.
In short, IIoT is part of IoT and also Industry 4.0. IIoT is at the intersection of Industry 4.0 and IoT as it relates to manufacturing.
IoT vs IIoT
There are some key differences between IoT and IIoT.
First of all, the technologies behind IIoT have existed for many years whereas in IoT they are revolutionary.
IIoT it’s about data or even Big Data which becomes actionable information. Whereas in IoT it’s about the ‘things’. In IIoT, security, integrity and response times are critical. Also, industry needs require open standards to connect the myriad of puzzle pieces.
Industry 4.0
The Industry 4.0 concept includes topics related to the Internet of Things, but also other things like the influence of the product on the production cycle, mass customization and lot-size-one, and even work-life balance. It is being driven by the German government and other institutions in Germany.
Where IIoT Fits
It is like a Venn diagram, where IIoT sits at the intersection of the two circles of IoT and Industry 4.0.
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