Definition
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the network of connected sensors and devices deployed across industrial equipment, collecting and exchanging data over a network at scale, extending condition monitoring and data collection beyond a single machine to a connected, plant- or enterprise-wide sensing infrastructure. It is the broader connectivity and device concept, distinct from any single protocol (like MQTT or OPC UA) it may use to actually exchange that data.
Key facts
- Refers to the broader concept of networked, connected industrial sensors and devices at scale, not one specific protocol.
- Enables condition monitoring and data collection to extend from a single machine to plant-wide or enterprise-wide scope.
- Relies on underlying communication protocols (such as MQTT or OPC UA) to actually move data between devices and systems.
- Scale introduces specific challenges around data volume, device management, and security beyond a single-machine sensor setup.
How does Industrial Internet of Things work in maintenance?
IIoT covers the broader deployment of networked sensors and connected devices across industrial equipment at scale (potentially spanning an entire plant or multiple sites) collecting and exchanging data to support condition monitoring, analytics, and remote management beyond what a single machine's sensors alone could provide.
What does Industrial Internet of Things require?
IIoT describes the overall concept and scale of connected industrial devices. The actual data exchange between those devices relies on specific communication protocols (MQTT for lightweight messaging, OPC UA for structured industrial data exchange, and others) which are the technical mechanisms IIoT deployments use, not the concept itself.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How are industrial devices and data used in a networked way?
Through the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT): a network of connected sensors and devices across industrial equipment at scale, collecting and exchanging data using underlying protocols such as MQTT or OPC UA.
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