IIoT Solutions: How to Improve Resource Planning

Then, in the early 90s, these systems, although not immediately, still fulfilled the expectations placed on them – they got rid of paperwork and optimized business operations. Their introduction was a harmonious part of the digital revolution. For now, primary ERP functions are a standard for business management, but they are not enough for companies to unlock new levels of decision-making. According to the TEC report, there are three main weak spots of modern ERP systems – data accuracy, user experience, and analytics. Do you see where we are going with this?

While traditional ERP systems become obsolete, Industrial Internet of Things solutions (i.e. IIoT solutions) continue to earn the trust of each business – by removing these three main points we mentioned. Thanks to the sensors and trackers - the system gains precise information on the equipment straight from the field. Granting continuous monitoring of enterprise resources allows smart automation to become possible. IoT data analytics tools aggregate scattered data, compare and compile them to find unexpected patterns that produce new business insights. The accuracy of the data collected permits no reason for doubting the analytics results. It turns out that the integration of ERP and Enterprise IoT solutions unlocks comprehensive business management impossible before. Go further to see how it comes.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and the Internet of Things (IoT) – are two different systems with two separate software hardware kits required. These systems successfully operate individually, but IoT can also be a “humble servant” of ERP because both technologies have a similar purpose – to help in enterprise control. ERP covers more than IoT, which makes reverse integration impossible. Since the main areas we need to be managed by ERP systems are staff, operations, and finances – our focus will shift to them. In doing so, we will explain how IoT helps businesses optimize and provide rapid planning. 

1. IoT helps track the efficiency of the staff through the “Things” they use to operate. 

For example, an onboard diagnostics device monitors the status of the vehicle, which indirectly identifies how it is used. Such devices can identify the driving style: excessive acceleration, sharp cornering, hard braking, and how the fuel is consumed. The same goes for equipment in production shops – its status also shows how it's managed. The data from enterprise IoT sensors is more reliable than the visual inspection, which reveals employee behavior. This info helps decide the future of every staff member within the company. 

Secondly, IoT-based trackers, smart helmets, and smart vests allow tracking location and health conditions of employees. Having this info at a glance - the company can pick up more suitable working conditions for an employee who suffers from health issues and avoid hazardous cases caused by this. 

2. The data from IoT devices helps optimize labor costs through IoT-based production automation. 

Not only does this save time and money, but reduces production defects and promotes the best product quality. For instance, you can rely on the operator’s vision to execute QA activities only at low conveyor speeds. However, it becomes inefficient when they need to check a detail per second. Implementing an IoT system with machine vision is more reliable. This system will collect the video stream from the conveyor belt, process it, and then approve or reject the product. At a long distance, it shows the most vulnerable production stages. Moreover, the enterprise data you receive from the enterprise IoT analysis will allow you to decide on the character of labor - where to utilize humans, machines, or artificial intelligence. 

3. Since the IoT-based systems continuously collect and analyze the data, they can not only define current employees’ efficiency but forecast their perspective. 

Integration of IIoT Solutions to ERP system can be especially useful here. The data provides the current skills of the staff, their motivation, and their efficiency. Which will help you plan employee training and carrier options. 

Data gathered from EIoT systems help form financial reporting and due diligence procedures as a whole. Even at the stage of IoT strategy creation, detailed calculations on perspective savings from IoT ecosystem implementation are being prepared. According to McKinsey, these systems allow us to save up to 40% on equipment maintenance and reduce equipment capital investment by 5%. By integrating enterprise IoT into the ERP system sensor data reaches the ERP financial module, allowing it to recalculate the cost of the product, production, labor, and other. It becomes clear which production stages are the most costly for the company and where it can save.

Such information is a valuable resource both for executive management and investors. The IoT-based data help improve the following areas:

• Asset management
• Financial control
• Risk management

Although management decisions rest with you, IoT-based systems are the source of custom data valuable precisely for your enterprise. By having it, you can increase KPIs through accurate predictions instead of hypotheses or data from other players on the market. Reports generated by IoT analytics tools are usually in the convenient form of diagrams or charts. They can be attached to any financial report to provide a comprehensive view of how IoT innovations influenced the enterprise and where are the rooms for improvement. Generally, you get all the enterprise information in full view.