How Have IoT Devices Been Integrated into Operations?
In the ever-evolving landscape of tech management, we've gathered insights from Operations Managers and CEOs to illustrate the transformative power of IoT in the workplace. From monitoring office equipment to implementing smart property management systems, here are five compelling examples of how IoT devices have been seamlessly integrated into operations to ramp up efficiency.
- Monitor Office Equipment with IoT
- Predictive Maintenance Lowers Costs
- IoT Optimizes Inventory and Shipping
- Connect All Stakeholders with IoT
- Smart Property Management with IoT
Monitor Office Equipment with IoT
At our web agency, we have implemented IoT sensors on our office equipment, such as printers and computers, to monitor usage and performance in real time. This allows us to proactively identify and address issues before they become major problems, leading to less downtime and improved productivity.
Predictive Maintenance Lowers Costs
Our company was struggling with equipment maintenance, and unplanned downtime was having a major impact on our productivity. We installed IoT sensors on critical machinery to detect performance and maintenance intervals and manage them proactively. It served as a data broker between these multitude of sensors, which captured temperature, vibration, and operational speed, and delivered predictive maintenance using machine learning models for fault detection.
This proactive method was enough. The machine also informs us when the vibration level tends to increase in a key production machine, allowing us to intervene before it breaks. This proactive maintenance saved us a good amount of money as it protected our equipment from costly downtime and added an extra guarantee to the lifespan of this equipment. In the end, we saw a 30% drop in unplanned maintenance costs and noticeable increases in overall production efficiency.
IoT Optimizes Inventory and Shipping
We use IoT sensors in the warehouse management system. Previously, tracking inventory levels and controlling stock was a manual process that took ages (literally!). It usually resulted in errors and delays.
Therefore, we introduced IoT sensors into our storage shelves. Those sensors constantly monitor the stock levels and transmit real-time data to our central system. In case of a shortage of goods below the required limit, the system initiates an automatic reorder request, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of essential commodities.
Similarly, we also provided GPS-enabled IoT devices in delivery trucks. These devices enable live route tracing for optimal route selection by analyzing traffic patterns to save energy costs.
These steps have improved overall operational efficiency. Therefore, inventory management has become more precise, while shipping mechanisms have become faster. It makes organizational activities more effective and adaptable.
Connect All Stakeholders with IoT
We have implemented Busroot, our real-time production monitoring platform, into a range of different manufacturing businesses across the UK. Busroot uses IoT devices to collect production signals from machinery, and it then uses this data to calculate metrics such as overall equipment efficiency, cycle time, machine downtime, and asset utilisation. The software can pick up on inefficiencies that would be difficult to pick up from manual data analysis.
For example, one of our clients had legacy systems that were unable to communicate data to a centralised platform, and supervisors were the only people able to manually analyse the data. After implementing Busroot, the whole shop floor was connected and visible in a single dashboard, and the company was able to identify frequent machine downtime and areas of excess waste. By putting mitigation in place, the company was able to improve production efficiency by 14%.
Smart Property Management with IoT
Embracing IoT technology has transformed how we manage our properties. We implemented smart locks and surveillance cameras, giving us real-time access and control over property security from anywhere.
Once, while on vacation, I received an alert about unusual activity at a property, and I could immediately address the issue without any delay. These tools not only enhance security but also provide peace of mind, knowing that our investments are always under watchful eyes.
