Many manufacturers reap the rewards of the Industrial IoT, but some have yet to join the movement. Aidan Quilligan, head of Accenture’s Industrial Software Solutions Practice, gave us insight into obstacles and benefits, data security, trends and predictions.
Bridget Bergin (BB): What are some major obstacles manufacturers face in implementing industrial software?
Aidan Quilligan (AQ): Many organizations start from a disadvantaged position, because they have significant legacy equipment. So, we often see proprietary protocols, stand-alone systems and poor documentation as the challenging starting point for such programs. In addition, it can be difficult for manufacturers to articulate the business case for investment. Although the opportunities available might be real and intuitive to people on the shop floor, it can be tough to quantify the case for change. Further challenges might exist in getting commitment from management to funding the investment in such technologies, especially at a time when there may be many competing needs. Finally, with all of the opportunities available to make advances in what is generally referred to as “Digital Industry 4.0”or the “Industrial Internet of Things,” companies might be dazzled with the array of choices available and find it hard to determine a clear way forward.
BB: How can manufacturers benefit from exploring Industrial IoT services?
AQ: No matter what reference point you choose, the immense possibilities of the Industrial Internet of Things are attracting significant attention. Accenture research, “Winning with the Industrial Internet of Things” estimates the economic potential to be more than $14 trillion in terms of world output by 2030. Manufacturers will see a combination of efficiency gains, worker safety and productivity, together with the possibilities of new revenue streams, as organizations adopt elements of the Industrial Internet of Things. In particular, the trend of moving from selling products to selling services, and the deep implications for the relationship between manufacturers and their customers, is of major strategic importance.
BB: What would you say to a manufacturer expressing concerns about data security?
AQ: As with any major wave of change, companies must navigate the risks and tackle the concerns that accompany the undeniable benefits. Because the area is relatively untapped, they are countered by some concerns about risk. As with all such situations, the key is to have a definitive assessment of what the risks are and a specific and appropriate strategy to mitigate them. Methodologies exist to work through such assessments, and it is critical that these are employed rigorously.
BB: What are some key technology trends you’ve observed?
AQ: Digital technology on the shop floor is here to stay. The same benefits that we all enjoy as consumers through our smart devices and tablets will also pervade our work places, including manufacturing. We expect that the benefits of access to hands-free technology will be a big attraction in manufacturing and operations. New technology platforms will rise in criticality as the diversity and volume of sensor-driven and other data continues to expand and the ability to capture, store and process such information at amassive scale becomes more and more critical. Actionable insights remain vital for success, and platforms are the key to enable these.
BB: What are your predictions for Industrial IoT in 2015?
AQ: 2015 will be the year when Industrial IoT arrives on the world stage. It’s no longer a niche subject of technical publications and recently it grabbed headlines at the World Economic Forum at Davos–alongside other major global political and economic matters, however, embracing the opportunities it brings will not be simple. We expect to see many companies begin “innovation trialing” this year as they lay some of the technology and business foundations for IIoT solutions and start to explore where the real business benefits lie for them from the Industrial Internet of Things.
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