The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network created by physical objects that are equipped with specialized software and sensors. These exchange data with systems and other devices over the internet using real-time data analytics to power applications at the residential, commercial, and industrial levels. Applications in smart manufacturing include:
- Smart factory floor equipment
- Wireless inventory trackers
- Biometric cybersecurity scanners
- Shipping container and logistics tracking
The use of IoT is poised to completely transform the manufacturing industry from the sourcing of materials straight through to the supply chain and beyond. Information technology (IT) infrastructure must be able to play a unifying role in coordinating how all the elements of IoT work together as part of the greater system.