How do manufacturers reduce costs and cycle times while increasing productivity, yields and market share? Through digitization. Digitization means greater connectivity and data. As more and more devices are connected to networks, silos are removed and data from each device can be transformed into a treasure chest of valuable information.

Digitization with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) technologies is allowing industrial companies to play a major role in the new digital economy. In a world of fast-evolving demand requirements, the simplification of connectivity turns big data and information into a resource that can be put to work to create business improvements.

As companies compete to get their products to market faster and cheaper, they need simple solutions to enable near-immediate implementation. However, there’s no time or budget for special tools or expensive, highly-trained engineers and electricians. Today, we’re discussing how upgrading to a specific type of I/O module – distributed control units (DCUs) – can deliver a new level of efficiency and affordable automation to smart factories.

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has been a hot topic of late. One key consideration that will impact its acceptance rate and ultimate success is security. A successful attack on an IIoT system could result in the loss of sensitive data, interruption of operations, and destruction of systems. This will result in damage to brand and reputation, material economic loss and damage to critical infrastructure. Worse, there could be damage to the environment, injury or loss of human life. A secure IIoT solution is comprised of a variety of elements, including secure products, secure protocols, a secure network, ongoing security monitoring, and employees with cybersecurity expertise.