According to research professor Heikki Ailisto, the industrial internet helps companies make a leap in productivity, as utilizing real-time information makes process management more efficient.
In the industrial internet, machines that communicate with each other enhance automation and, with it, productivity.
At VTT, the Pro-IoT (Pro Internet of Things) flagship program is building a tool from the industrial internet that will enable companies to make a "productivity leap".
Head of the cutting-edge program, research professor Heikki Ailiston According to the program, the goal is to improve the competitiveness of domestic industry in existing businesses and technologies. In this way, the utilization of the industrial internet aims for the evolutionary development of businesses – not so much by developing completely new things, but by improving existing processes and work stages.
“On the other hand, the program aims to help companies benefit from the opportunities brought by the development and transformation of the industrial internet. It means completely new business with new technology and new business models.”
Efficiency through automation
According to Ailisto, the power of the industrial internet is fundamentally based on the mutual automation of machines. In addition, there is the assistance that automation provides to people.
“Decision support systems help people make the right decisions based on facts.”
The Pro-IoT program was launched at VTT in early 2013 and expanded in 2014.
"We're in a good position now, and the topic is really hot. There's a lot of interest from companies," Ailisto says.
The industrial internet brings benefits by increasing the efficiency of machine and equipment utilization. For example, predictability helps with maintenance and servicing. Heavy processes are not interrupted due to a failure, as a machine capable of self-diagnosis can report its symptoms online in advance. This way, parts can be replaced before they break.
Since production downtime and process restarts are always expensive, preventive maintenance is significant in ensuring availability and increasing productivity.
"The most direct benefits are precisely increasing the utilization rate of machines and equipment (assets), for example through predictive maintenance. Similarly, employees' operations become more efficient when accurate information about the situation is immediately available."
According to Ailisto, the benefit of the industrial internet for companies, regardless of industry, is that accurate real-time information is available and can be used to control processes.
“A concrete example is the smart street light control that we implemented with our partners in Malminkartano.”
Text: Jaakko Liikanen
Photo: Jaani Föhr
