Why Factory Connectivity Is the Weak Link in IIoT Scalability
Industrial IoT platforms can’t deliver full value if networks lag behind. Real-time insight depends on infrastructure that most manufacturers are still underinvesting in.
As manufacturers invest in AI, automation, and real-time analytics, one critical enabler is often overlooked: factory network infrastructure. During the session “The Current State and Capabilities of Real-Time IIoT Platforms” at IIoT World’s Manufacturing & Supply Chain 2024 event, experts emphasized a hard truth—without robust, purpose-built connectivity, most IIoT investments stall or fail to scale.
The Problem Isn’t the Platform. It’s the Pipes.
Many manufacturers are enthusiastic about IIoT capabilities like predictive maintenance, AI-driven quality checks, and remote monitoring. But as Erika Franco from Cisco noted, these capabilities depend on low-latency, highly observable networks that are often absent in legacy facilities.
In many plants, systems were not designed to move data in real time, let alone contextualize and act on it. Network blind spots, insufficient segmentation, and latency issues mean critical data never reaches decision-makers—or AI engines—fast enough to matter.
What “Real-Time” Really Requires
To unlock real-time IIoT value, networks must support:
- Low-latency data flow from machines to edge devices and cloud platforms.
- Segmentation to isolate sensitive systems and protect against cyber threats.
- End-to-end observability, enabling visibility into what’s connected and how it’s behaving.
That means moving beyond consumer-grade connectivity or traditional OT networks to architectures purpose-built for industrial workloads.
Security at Scale Is Not Optional
As more devices come online and data moves across organizational boundaries, security becomes a gating factor. Manufacturers must adopt zero-trust principles, enforce granular access control, and secure remote connections. Without this, expanding IIoT systems exposes factories to unacceptable risk.
Visibility, segmentation, and remote access management are no longer “nice to have”—they are foundational. IIoT doesn’t scale unless your network is ready to support it securely.
Why This Matters Now
The factory of the future is built on real-time data—but real-time requires more than sensors and dashboards. It requires a network backbone designed for scale, resilience, and visibility. As more manufacturers pilot IIoT systems, those who neglect the network layer will face frustrating limitations, while those who invest early in connectivity will be positioned to scale, automate, and compete.
This article was written based on the insights from the session “The Current State and Capabilities of Real-Time IIoT Platforms,” presented during IIoT World Manufacturing & Supply Chain Day 2024.
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