We've already told you about IoT, but as it turns out, many confuse it with IIoT... already confused? Let's figure it out.
Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) are technologies with similar working principles and names, but created to solve different problems. They develop in parallel and are unlikely to ever have significant overlaps in application.
IIoT technology consists of Internet-connected equipment and advanced analytics platforms that process data received from connected devices. IIoT devices can range from small weather sensors to complex industrial robots.
The Industrial Internet of Things is a subcategory of the Internet of Things. The distinctive feature of both concepts is devices with built-in sensors, machines, and infrastructure that transmit data via the Internet and are controlled by software.
For clarity, let's compare these technologies:
Purpose of creation.
IoT aims to improve comfort and safety in everyday life.
IIoT aims to increase production profitability.
Scope of application.
IoT is exclusively for household use.
IIoT is entirely focused on industrial tasks and its specific branches, such as municipal lighting systems.
Volume of processed data.
IoT processes several megabytes per day—relatively small.
IIoT processes up to a petabyte per day—very large.
Speed of technology adoption:
IoT is fast—smart components are purchased when replacing household appliances or during renovations.
IIoT is slow—production requires large-scale reconstruction.
Similar?
From the comparison, it's clear that these concepts are similar only in their novelty. If you delve into the details, these concepts run parallel, although schemes from one are sometimes borrowed by the other.
Many analysts say that IIoT and IoT have great potential from the perspective of production integration. They already serve many consumer, commercial, and industrial applications due to the high business opportunities associated with them.