The Internet of Things is one of those technologies that head the digitalization in the business world today. IoT solutions allow companies to automate a lot of processes and to get access to a wide range of real-time data that earlier used to be unavailable.
All this is possible thanks to connecting different devices to the internet and uniting them into one network in order to let them exchange and process data. IoT systems typically include devices that are enriched with special sensors and software solutions. Users can monitor and control IoT systems and their elements fully remotely. It is projected that in 2030, there will be over 29 billion connected devices.
Amid the increasing interest in such solutions from the side of businesses and individuals, the demand for IoT software development services is climbing higher. The variety of IoT products is growing as well. Some of them form separate subcategories. Such as IIoT, for example. And that’s exactly the main topic under consideration in our article.
What is IIoT?
IIoT, or the Industrial Internet of Things, is a sector of IoT that focuses on solutions for the industrial market. It presupposes using IoT technology for enhancing and facilitating various industrial tasks and processes in manufacturing, warehouse management, and logistics, among others. IIoT systems are often equipped with a row of advanced technologies and tools like big data, machine learning, machine-to-machine communication, etc.
Key differences between IoT and IIoT
In general, IoT and IIoT have a lot in common. Quite often people even do not indicate IIoT as a separate subcategory. However, it is worth highlighting that IIoT has a narrower focus. This term is related only to the industrial applications of the Internet of Things while IoT is more about a wider sphere of application of such solutions.
Let’s analyze their differences in more detail.
- Scale
This difference is exactly what we’ve mentioned above. We usually should choose the term “IoT” when we are talking about consumer use of this technology. In this case, such commonly applied devices as smartphones, wearables, and home appliances that have access to the Internet act as the main elements of IoT systems. The general goal of IoT solutions is to facilitate many everyday tasks by means of establishing interaction between various devices.
In the case of IIoT, everything is different. Such systems unite large machines and equipment and organize communication between them to automate industrial processes and gather valuable business insights.
- Accuracy and complexity of solutions
Though IoT today relies on a lot of sophisticated technologies, as a rule, such solutions are intended for solving easier tasks in comparison to what IIoT systems are expected to do. For example, IoT apps are developed to analyze users’ physical activity or to set the temperature in the room in accordance with users’ preferences. At the same time, IIoT can manage complex business processes on production lines and at various manufacturing facilities that require the highest level of precision.
- Connectivity
Usually, IoT devices are connected via standard internet networks, and for ensuring the interoperability between the system elements such solutions use popular communication protocols like Bluetooth and WiFi.
To build IIoT solutions, developers need to apply more sophisticated approaches. They usually choose specialized communication protocols like Profinet and OPC UA that can provide higher security and reliability of data transfer. What is even more important is the necessity to focus on the interoperability of all the machinery and devices united into one network. As in this case, developers have to work with industrial machines of different types, their interoperability can become the hugest challenge.
- Security
Both IoT and IIoT systems work with data. However, IIoT typically deals with more sensitive information. That’s why in this case, the requirements for data protection are much stricter. Any IIoT data loss or hack can lead to serious financial consequences and reputation damage. Given this fact, enterprises are ready to invest in the implementation of the best security protocols and additional protection measures.
- Customization
It is vital to admit that modern IoT and IIoT solutions always offer users the possibility to customize their features. However, programmability possibilities are typically significantly wider in the case of IIoT. IIoT systems are often built in such a way that allows enterprises to adjust their functionality to their specific business needs.
IoT apps also can offer users the possibility to introduce changes. However, programmability and customization options are limited.
Final word
As you can see, despite the fact that the term “IoT” is often used as a synonym for “IIoT”, it is not fully true. Though the Internet of Things in general is a rather broad notion that includes solutions built for different industries, mainly it refers to solutions designed for consumer usage. Meanwhile, the IIoT category unites solutions built for various industrial enterprises. It means that IIoT includes more complex and specific solutions in comparison to general IoT.
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