DANIEL CANO

What is iot and how is it shaping the future?

What is IoT? 

"IoT stands for Internet of Things. It refers to the interconnectedness of physical objects, such as devices, appliances and vehicles, through the internet or the network. 
These objects have the ability to collect and share data, and therefore they are able to communicate with one another and with other internet-connected devices and systems. In the industry, examples of IoT implementation could include smart sensors in equipment and machinery and/or automatic control systems. 

Implementing a cloud-based platform to receive and process all the data generated by IoT devices in real-time, to optimize its monitorization and analysis, and consequently generate actionable insights in order to improve the overall efficiency of the manufacturing processes at Holcim".

How IoT is shaping the future? How do you think IoT impacts business innovation? 

"IoT is shaping the future by enabling connected devices to collect and share data, allowing a more efficient and effective decision-making. IoT will have a significant impact on business innovation by:

Improving efficiency and productivity: IoT devices and sensors can monitor and track equipment performance, identify potential issues and schedule maintenance before a breakdown is caused. This can reduce downtime and increase efficiency.

Optimizing logistics and transportation: IoT-enabled vehicle tracking and fleet management systems can optimize logistics and transportation, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

Enhancing quality control: IoT devices can be used to monitor and regulate environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, ensuring that the manufacturing process produces high-quality cement.

Improving safety: IoT devices can monitor and track the location and condition of equipment and personnel, alerting management of potential safety hazards and helping prevent accidents.

Reducing energy consumption and emissions: IoT-enabled systems can monitor and track energy consumption and emissions levels, allowing for a more efficient use of resources and a reducement of the environmental impact of cement production.

Allowing predictive maintenance: by utilizing data from sensors and other IoT devices, it is possible to predict when equipment is likely to fail, schedule maintenance and reduce downtime.

Improving customer service: IoT devices and sensors can be used to monitor the location and condition of in-transit cement bags, providing customers with real-time information regarding the status of their orders and helping ensure on-time deliveries.

Overall, IoT can help the business make better decisions, reduce costs, improve the efficiency of the production process and enhance the quality of our products".

What is new? How do you project IoT in our industry?

"Throughout the last years several new developments which have been quite relevant to the industry have been carried out in the field of IoT. Some of these include:

5G technology: with the deployment of 5G networks, IoT devices can now communicate with each other and with other systems much faster and more efficiently than before. This enables the implementation of more complex and sophisticated IoT applications. 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): by integrating AI and ML into IoT systems, it is possible to analyze large amounts of data generated by IoT devices in real-time, identify patterns and trends and make predictions. This can help  optimize operations, improve efficiency and make better decisions.

Edge computing: edge computing allows for the processing and analysis of data generated by IoT devices to be executed closer to the source of the data, reducing the amount of data that needs to be sent to the cloud for processing. This can reduce costs and improve the performance of IoT systems.

Blockchain: by using blockchain technology it is possible to securely share and manage data generated by IoT devices among different parties, such as suppliers, customers and logistics providers. This can help collaborate more effectively and make better decisions.

Identifying the specific IoT devices and technologies that are needed and developing a plan for integrating IoT devices and systems into existing operations, taking into account factors such as data security, scalability and performance is the objective.

It is important to keep in mind that IoT implementation is an iterative process and it requires continuous monitoring, testing and improvement to ensure that it meets the desired outcome at all times".