Catching the Future: 5 Ways the Industrial Internet of Things Can Help Companies Stay Competitive

The Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly becoming the most important technology used in our day-to-day lives. Who hasn’t seen an app that monitors your smartphone’s location from any point in the world? Many businesses are also making use of this tech to improve their bottom line by getting more location and status data from the production floor. In fact, the Industrial Internet of Things allows manufacturers, mining concerns, and airports to stay competitive in a world that demands more of everything, as quickly as possible.

Over the next couple of decades, the Industrial IoT market is projected to grow by trillions of dollars. It offers businesses the opportunity to grow their own profits by leaps and bounds when properly implemented. Yet, it is still in the earliest stages of use by the companies that could benefit the most from this technology. The problem is that it’s still fairly new, and businesses may have trouble visualizing how to incorporate the IoT into their processes.

Maybe you are considering an asset tracking system that uses the IoT or real-time locating system — RTLS in your business, but aren’t certain how to use it. If so, Litum’s RTLS experts can assist you with creating a comprehensive plan for installing an RTLS system and maximizing its usage.

5 Use Cases for the Industrial Internet of Things

Our team has helped several organizations solve the problem of seeing where workers and assets are in real-time, without the hassle of extra security guards and invasive surveillance systems. This technology can be taken much further with the Industrial IoT. Our asset tracking system is able to monitor the environment, asset movement, and even take action to manage maintenance needs and safety concerns, when necessary. Let’s take a look at some of the ways the IoT may help your company.

1. Improved Efficiency in the Yard

Warehouses and storage facilities can improve yard management with the Industrial Internet of Things in operation. Imagine RFID tags on trucks that ping readers as they enter the warehouse lot. These pings can trigger an automated system to direct the driver to an available parking spot or the right docking bay for unloading/loading. No need for the yard manager to stress about finding space, or the driver to waste time circling the yard. It’s all completed automatically.

2. Improved Staff Safety in Industry

Whether you produce airplane components or manage shipping containers at a seaport, odds are you’ll have several employees hard at work in high-risk areas. Since these facilities are large and it’s not always possible to maintain visual contact with an employee, managers can have a hard time knowing when a worker is in trouble. The solution is a man-down alarm for that lone personnel.

Litum RTLS tags equipped with motion sensors can send an automatic alert in case an employee is injured and unconscious. These sensors track how often a worker moves, and when they stop moving for a prolonged period of time the alert is triggered.

Litum also provides ID tags with built-in panic buttons workers can press when they need assistance and are still able to move. This is is a great option for many facilities from the mine to a hospital, where hazardous situations develop quickly or suddenly.

3. Tracking Production in a Factory

When manufacturing complex parts and finished products, there are undoubtedly multiple areas where work is being completed by workers and machines. Maintaining a smooth production line from beginning to end helps keep your facility at peak efficiency. However, there are usually slowdowns and lag within any facility.

With an asset tracking system in place at key points throughout the production line, you’ll be able to see exactly where your critical production equipment and tools are. Our real-time tracking system allows you to see when different workers and vehicles move from one area to the next and even track how long it takes each worker to complete a task. This data gives you the information needed to make adjustments to your process, provide additional training for workers, or rearrange your line to make it more efficient.

4. Preventing Accidents in the Warehouse

Active RFID RTLS tags attached to forklifts and cherry pickers can also help prevent collisions in a warehouse too. Litum’s RTLS system keeps track of where vehicles are on the warehouse floor to within a submeter accuracy. If a forklift gets too close to another vehicle or worker, the system can send an alert to the driver. If the driver doesn’t stop the vehicle or move to avoid a collision, the system can even be set up to slow the forklift down and bring it to a stop.

Operator error can cause worker injuries, damage to vehicles, and lead to production shutdowns. An asset tracking system that uses real-time location tracking helps keep these things from happening and thus prevents potential losses.

5. Monitor Evacuations in an Emergency

RFID tags worn by workers in mines, industrial complexes, and production facilities provide vital location data during chaotic moments. When an emergency forces workers to evacuate, it’s important to know if everyone has made it out of the facility safely. ID tags with beacons integrated into them will automatically ping off readers at muster points outside your mine or building. This data is all transferred to a database that is easy to access via a smartphone or computer tablet. Managers will instantly know who is outside, and who may still be in danger. A mesh network can also be set up inside the facility that actively pings on RFID tags, and allows you to track down missing employees.

From increased safety to speeding up production, an asset tracking system that is tied into the IoT provides many ways for businesses to stay competitive. You’ll start gathering data from day one that offers key insights into how a facility operates at its most basic level. Over time, this data becomes cumulative, giving you the ability to predict future events, such as equipment breakdowns, and take necessary actions beforehand.

If you are interested in maximizing the potential of a warehouse, mining facility, or even a transportation company, reach out to the experts at Litum. We’re available by phone to discuss a wide range of RFID technologies that can make your business more effective.