It would be an understatement to simply say data consumption is expanding. The reality is, it is exploding at a global level. At this moment, analysts expect data consumption to expand from 74 zettabytes in 2021 to an estimated 149 zettabytes in 2024. The suspects of this vast increase have little to do with Netflix streams and TikTok videos either. When considering the amount of product consumed by the global population, far past consumer data stock piles, it becomes evident that several metric tons of data are being generated by the supply chain as well; machine automation ensures it.
The arrival of Industry 4.0 is poised to revolutionize the way companies manufacture, improve and distribute their products through the integration of new technologies, including Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing and analytics, AI and machine learning. The need to fit the mold of Industry 4.0 plagues most manufacturers with a shortage of real data. Our easily viewable galaxies of data are becoming boundless black holes. The leading issue: Analog and legacy equipment rely on manual processes, resulting in 50-75% of blind spots throughout facilities and operations.
The Missing Piece in Industrial Operations
Close to 31 billion IoT devices are floating around the world today. This ongoing rise in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) usage hasn’t done manufacturers any favors. Day by day, each device pumps out more than their fair share of data. Due to tightening margins, the need for turn-around is more urgent, and the competition is fiercer than ever. Ensuring data transparency at all stages of the supply chain is essential for modern logistics and production decisions, as well as for the success of AI initiatives.